Christmas Light Night

Christmas Light Night has become a regular fixture in the Oxford Christmas calendar, attracting more than 20,000 revellers last year.

Highlights of this year’s event, which takes place on Friday 26 November, will include the children’s lantern procession supported by MINI Plant Oxford, the Broad Street Stage sponsored by Origin Technical Productions with live singing, dancing and celebrations, and Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night Promenade.

The event will run from 4.00pm to 11.00pm with the lantern procession starting in Bonn Square at 6.15pm and the Christmas lights being switched on in Broad Street at 6.45pm by special guests Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox, stars of the TV drama series Lewis.

This year’s lantern procession is led by the K&G Youth Band from Leiden and amazing lanterns have been made using willow and tissue paper at school and community workshops in recent weeks co-ordinated by procession producers Inevents.

The OTP Stage in Broad Street will host six hours of singing, dancing and celebrations.

The line-up includes a rare opportunity to hear a University College Choir — followed by a fusion of African and European sounds with the Afropean Choir, a 30-strong male voice ‘Oxford Harmony’ and an hour of ‘raising the roof’ singing by gospel choirs, including the Christian Life Centre. Also on hand will be the popular all-male accapella group Out of the Blue and hold on to your hats when Messy Jam and other amazing young dance groups hit the stage.

There will also be a market selling festive treats, food and drink.

Also taking place is a music event called Unsilent Night, co-ordinated by Oxford Contemporary Music. This is a free outdoor participatory sound sculpture recorded on cassettes, CDs, and MP3s, played through a roving swarm of audio devices brought along by the participants.

This ‘community promenade’, by composer Phil Kline, made its debut in New York in 1992 and now brings people together in cities around the world.

The promenade begins at 8.15pm at Radcliffe Camera and will last for 45 minutes.

At Oxford Castle, live music will fill the site from 6.00pm and at 7.00pm performers will lead the public procession from Bonn Square to Oxford Castle.

At 7.15pm Cinderella and Father Christmas will officially switch on Oxford Castle’s Christmas lights. Oxford Castle Gardens will twinkle with decorations made by local children in Father Christmas’ Christmas Grotto.

Special Christmas wishes in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support will decorate the ‘Trees of Thought’ in the castle gardens.

Also at the castle, work by the winners of an exciting photography competition celebrating the beauty of the Cotswolds will be on show at the 03 Gallery.

As part of Christmas Light Night Oxford’s galleries, theatres, museums and open spaces will be hosting a late night evening of art, music, dance and performance, providing a unique opportunity to enjoy the best the city has to offer.

At the Museum of Oxford in St Aldates, you can join in with traditional children’s games, family arts and crafts and, helped by museum staff dressed in period costume, find out what made a ‘Make Do and Mend’ Christmas during the Second World War.

Representatives from MINI Plant Oxford will also be on hand at the museum to discuss the story of the wheel.

At the University of Oxford Museum of Natural History in Parks Road, there will be jazz, blues and choral music to enjoy, while you can experience the Pitt Rivers Museum by torchlight, accompanied by sounds from around the world.

The Ashmolean will be celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of its new building, and is inviting the people of Oxford to join them for a slice of birthday cake and live music, before wandering through the blockbuster Pre-Raphaelite exhibition one more time before it closes on Sunday, December 5.

The Bodleian Library will mark this year’s Christmas Light Night by opening the Divinity School and Convocation House, free of charge.

Explore the Divinity School, built in 1488 for the teaching of theology. With its elaborately vaulted ceiling and its 455 carved bosses, it is a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture. Take a look in the 17th century Convocation House and Court, where Charles I held his Parliament during the English Civil War.

Additionally, there will be musical entertainment offered by local choirs and ensembles in the Divinity School from 6.00pm.

At the University of Oxford Museum of the History of Science in Broad Streetm you can help celebrate the 150th anniversary of the beginnings of a revolution in astronomy!

In 1860 spectroscopy made it possible to find out what stars are made of. Discover spectroscopy and its history, see their exhibition of meteors and create your own personal spectrum.

Children aged under-10 can enjoy some festive storytelling, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm in the Top Room at the Oxford Playhouse then enjoy the infamous ‘Light Night Cocktail’ in the bar.

Meanwhile, Jesus Christ Superstar is being staged by Oxford Operatic Society at the Playhouse, (tickets £18/£16/£14) with the production starting at 7.30pm. This is followed by Late Lights, with live jazz from Sarah Dodd.

The Oxford Visual Arts Development Agency will be at Oxford Town Hall where it has selected regional contemporary artists to show new work that responds to the space and the history of one of the city’s most attractive and historic buildings.

Visitors are invited to explore the building and see the Town Hall's heritage in a new light. In the main hall, OVADA presents an affordable art fair, showcasing unique work by the best emerging art students and artists in the county.

The Oxford Tourist Information Centre in Broad Street will also be open until 10pm tomorrow night to offer advice on late-night shopping and other festive events in the city.

Christmas in Oxford is being co-ordinated by Oxford Inspires and Oxford City Council and delivered by InEvents on behalf of communities and cultural organisations across the city. To find out more information about Christmas Light Night and to download a leaflet go to www.oxfordinspires.org

CHRISTMAS LIGHT NIGHT - WHAT'S ON

Lantern procession, supported by MINI Plant Oxford
6.15pm – 6.45pm

Kicking off the revelry will be a spectacular lantern procession based around the story of the wheel with oxford school children parading their amazing lanterns made out of willow and tissue paper. The procession will wind its way through the city streets, starting and finishing in Bonn Square.

Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night Promenade
8.15pm - 9.00pm (meet 8.00pm at Radcliffe Square)

Oxford Contemporary Music invites you to bring your portable stereos to join Oxford’s first Unsilent Night promenade. Composer Phil Kline's free outdoor participatory sound sculpture, recorded on cassettes, CDs and mp3s and played through a roving swarm of ghetto blasters and other audio devices, is a winter wonderland of shimmering bells, chimes and grand chorales.The walking sound sculpture debuted in New York in 1992 and is now annually performed there and in cities around the world.

The OTP Stage, Broad Street
4.00pm – 10.00pm

Come to the Stage in Broad Street for a heart- warming sing-a-long with Oxford’s finest choirs. There will be an opportunity to hear Somerville College Choir, followed by a fusion of African and European sounds with the Afropean Choir, a 30-strong male voice Oxford Harmony and an hour of ‘raising-the-roof’ singing by gospel choirs including CLC. Celebrate Christmas with the popular all-male accapella group Out of the Blue and hold on to your hats when Messy Jam and amazing young dance groups hit the stage. Hosted by BBC’s Phil Mercer, Wesley Smith and Malcolm Boyden and covered on Radio, song sheets will be provided so that you can join the Christmas singing fun.

Stage programme 4.00pm: Dance Platform: Samba, Indian, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Salsa 5.00pm: Somerville College Choir 5.30pm: Afropean Choir 6.00pm: Oxford Harmony 6.45pm: Christmas Lights switch on with special guests 7.00pm: Dance Platform 7.30pm: Oxford Gospel Choir 8pm: Dance Platform 8.30pm: Out of the Blue 9.15pm: Christian Life Centre Gospel Choir Happy first birthday new building!

Ashmolean Museum
6.00pm - 10.00pm

Since the new Ashmolean was officially opened to the public by HM The Queen on December 2, 2009, the museum’s redevelopment has received universal acclaim. To mark our first anniversary and as part of the City of Oxford’s Christmas Light Night, the museum will remain open late.

Take the opportunity to see new photographs from an ongoing project by Ashmolean photographer in residence, James Hudson, in a stunning display projected in the atrium. The series, entitled Metamorphosis, looks at the interaction between visitors, the new architecture, and the collections — making an original and interesting reflection on the Ashmolean’s first year since its dramatic redevelopment.

From 7.30pm join us to sing Happy Birthday and eat a slice of birthday cake; while throughout the evening you can enjoy a programme of live music.

Explore the galleries after hours and visit the museum’s blockbuster exhibition The Pre-Raphaelites and Italy before it closes on December 5.

Children can make shimmery Christmas decorations to take home.

The shop and the Ashmolean café will be open for late night shopping, mince pies and mulled wine.

To book a table in the Ashmolean Dining Room for a special birthday menu feast, visit the website: www.ashmoleandiningroom.com

Bodleian Library, Broad Street
6.00pm - 8.00pm

The Bodleian Library will mark this year’s Christmas Light Night by opening the Divinity School and Convocation House free of charge. Explore the Divinity School, built in 1488 for the teaching of theology. With its elaborately vaulted ceiling and its 455 carved bosses, it is a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture. Take a look in the 17th century Convocation House and Court, where Charles I held his Parliament during the English Civil War. Additionally, there will be musical entertainment offered by local choirs and ensembles in the Divinity School.

Buy your Christmas cards and gifts at the Bodleian Library shop. For more information vist the website: www.bodley.ox.ac.uk

University of Oxford Museum of Natural History & Pitt Rivers Museum
6.00pm - 10.00pm

Winterlight and Music Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum will be continuing their series of magical evening events.

Explore the natural history collections by lantern light, with live jazz, blues and choral music to welcome the festive season.

Experience the Pitt Rivers by torchlight accompanied by sounds from around the world (timed tickets available on the night). Mask making and festive refreshments (bar closes at 9.30pm)

All ages welcome, but an adult must accompany children at all times. Free entry is on a first come first served basis. For more information visit the websites: www.prm.ox.ac.uk www.oum.ox.ac.uk

Museum of the History of Science, Broad Street
7.00pm - 11.00pm

Stars and Starlight Come and celebrate the 150th anniversary of the beginnings of a revolution in astronomy!  In 1860 spectroscopy made it possible to find out what stars are made of. Discover spectroscopy and its history, vsit the exhibition of meteors and create your own personal ‘spectrum’. For more information, visit the website: www.mhs.ox.ac.uk

Oxford Castle
5.00pm - 10.00pm

Christmas Market, Spooky Tours and Winter Wonderland Live music will fill the site from 6.00pm. At 7.00pm performers will lead the public procession from Bonn Square to Oxford Castle, and at 7.15pm Cinderella and Father Christmas will officially switch on Oxford Castle’s Christmas lights. Oxford Castle Gardens will twinkle with decorations made by local children in Father Christmas’ Christmas Grotto and special Christmas wishes in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support will decorate the Trees of Thought in the Castle Gardens.

Also on offer will be a traditional Christmas Market, packed full with beautiful gifts, surprises, and tasty treats, as well as lamplight tours of the Castle, where you will be invited to delve into the darker side of its spooky history (tours are operated by Oxford Castle – Unlocked, and run from 5.00pm until 10.00pm. Spooky tickets: £7.75 adults, £5.50 children, £6.50 concessions)
www.oxfordcastle.co.uk
www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk
www.oxfordchristmasmarket.co.uk

03 Gallery
5.00pm – 10.00pm

A Cotswold Scene An exciting new photography competition was launched in April 2010 by local landscape photographer Sarah Howard to celebrate the beauty of the Cotswolds. The winning photographs are on display from the evening of 26th November. www.o3gallery.co.uk

Oxford Playhouse
4.30pm – 11.00pm

Festive Storytelling, Cocktails and Late Night Jazz Bring your under 10's to some festive storytelling, 4.30pm - 5.30pm in the Top Room, then enjoy the infamous ‘Light Night Cocktail’ in the bar. Jesus Christ Superstar plays on the main stage from 7.30 - 10.00pm (Tickets £14 - £18) but stick around for Late Lights from 10.00pm with live jazz from Sarah Dodd. www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Museum of Oxford
5.00pm – 8.00pm

World War Two Christmas Join in with traditional children’s games, family arts and crafts and find out what made a ‘Make Do and Mend’ Christmas during World War Two from staff in period costume. Associates from MINI will be on hand to talk about the Story of the Wheel. www.museumofoxford.org.uk

Oxford Town Hall
4.30pm – 10.00pm

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town!

Come and see the special grotto built for Santa himself by Oxford school children with help from Creation Theatre Company. Children’s activities, workshops, mulled wine, mince pies and hot food in the Main Hall to the accompaniment of a festive marching band. www.oxfordtownhall.co.uk

OVADA at Oxford Town Hall Spotlight OVADA has selected regional artists to show new work that responds to the space and the history of one of the City's most attractive and historic buildings, Oxford Town Hall. Contemporary work including video, sound, light, installation and performance will be within the beautiful Grade II listed building.

Visitors are invited to explore the building and see the Town Hall's heritage in a new light. In the Main Hall OVADA presents an affordable art fair showcasing unique work by the best emerging art students and practicing artists in the County. www.ovada.org.uk

St Michael at the North Gate, St. Ebbe’s & Wesley Memorial

An Advent Carol service will take place at St Ebbe’s Church at 8.00pm, and you will be offered a warm welcome at St Michael at the North Gate. Join Wesley Memorial Church for ‘Lighting Up Time’ from 6.00pm, where you can enjoy free mince pies and hot drinks. The church will also be open as a space for creative prayer and reflection for all ages.

WHAT'S ON AT OXFORD TOWN HALL

Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, will be open until 10.00pm for a special late-night celebration as part of Christmas Light Night.

The Oxford Visual Arts Development Agency has selected regional artists to showcase contemporary work including video, sound and light installation within the beautiful Grade II* listed building.

The main hall will feature an affordable art fair featuring the best emerging art students and artists in Oxfordshire.

You can also bring your little ones to get their faces painted by talented Mona Turnbull.

A fabulous string trio from Oxford Philomusica will be performing outside the main hall on Light Night, and listen out for the K&G Youth Marching Band from Leiden, who will be stopping by the town hall to make music at as they tour the city. Local author Martin Pevsner will also be selling and signing copies of his newly released and first novel Divinity Road.

After getting into the festive spirit on Light Night and seeing the splendour of the Town Hall, why not join in one of our Dickens themed party nights taking place on Thursday, December 9, and Friday, December 17. Enjoy a three-course feast of culinary delights and then dance the night away. To book tickets or find out more, call 01865 252195 or visit the website www.oxfordtownhall.co.uk

Feast on mince pies and watch out for Father Christmas who is coming to town on Light Night to stock up with stories and presents in preparation for the opening of his grotto at Oxford Town Hall at 10.00am on Saturday, November 27.

Father Christmas’ grotto will also be open between 10.00am and 4.00pm on November 28, December 4-5, December 11-12 and from December 15 until December 23.