What’s on in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this April

Hello and welcome to your invaluable guide to the best events, exhibitions and things to do throughout April 2023 in Oxford and across Oxfordshire.

Winter is finally over, and we’re all starting to emerge from hibernation. Plus, April brings with it longer and occasionally mild and sunny days.

With a four-day bank holiday weekend (and we’ve a separate guide coming for what to do this Easter in Oxford and across Oxfordshire), it’s time to properly commit to socialising again and to start planning for an amazing month with our selection of the best events and things to do in Oxford and across Oxfordshire.

And speaking of mild and sunny days, be sure to check out some of the best parks, open spaces and nature reserves in our neck of the woods as the flowers and trees start to bloom. And we’ve even put together a list of some of the best places to enjoy the sun in Oxfordshire – because we’re good like that!

As you very well know, this is a curated list of things to do in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this April. Do take a look at the ‘What’s on’ section of the website, where you’ll find a full list of events in Oxford and across Oxfordshire, as well as unmissable events beyond the county that would make for a great day out.

Got an event that should be on the list? List your event on The Oxford Magazine website and reach our growing audience of people who live, work or place in Oxfordshire. Once again, welcome to your invaluable guide to what’s on in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this April.

Jack Whitehall: Warming Up 2023

When: 23 March & 03 April

Where: New Theatre Oxford

Catch comedy superstar Jack Whitehall – widely celebrated for his smash-hit show comedy tours – as he tries out new material. It’s a rare opportunity to see this international stand-up test drive his new stuff in your local venue.

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Jack Whitehall: Warming Up 2023

When: 23 March & 03 April

Where: New Theatre Oxford

Catch comedy superstar Jack Whitehall – widely celebrated for his smash-hit show comedy tours – as he tries out new material. It’s a rare opportunity to see this international stand-up test drive his new stuff in your local venue.

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Oxford Literary Festival 2023

When: 25 March to 02 April

Where: Sheldonian Theatre

The Oxford Literary Festival is a world-class literary event that brings together leading authors and public figures in a magnificent setting in the central university area of Oxford each year.

Festival lineup includes: Mary Berry, Kate Bingham, Jeremy Bowen, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Isabel Wilkerson, Adam Rutherford, Matthew Cobb, Joseph Coelho, Peter Frankopan

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Discover more: Download the 2023 festival pocket guide
Woodstock Music Society Spring Concert

When: 28 & 29 April

Where: St Mary’s Kidlington

Come and enjoy Puccini’s Messa di Gloria and a selection from Rossini’s Stabat mater, performed by the Woodstock Music Society and Woodstock Chamber Orchestra. Woodstock Music Society is a group of singers and players from north and west Oxfordshire. It was formed in 1975 to provide an outlet for the talents of local amateur musicians.

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Woodstock Music Society Spring Concert

When: 28 & 29 April

Where: St Mary’s Kidlington

Come and enjoy Puccini’s Messa di Gloria and a selection from Rossini’s Stabat mater, performed by the Woodstock Music Society and Woodstock Chamber Orchestra. Woodstock Music Society is a group of singers and players from north and west Oxfordshire. It was formed in 1975 to provide an outlet for the talents of local amateur musicians.

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Easter Trail at Tumblestone Hollow, Stonor Gardens

When: 01 to 16 April

Where: Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames

The annual Tumblestone Hollow Easter Trail will run every day from 01 to 16 April. Follow the trail, exploring and playing as you go along. Solve the puzzle and receive a fantastic chocolate treat. Hear the stories of Tumblestone Hollow read by one of the woodland elves who might even give you a special Tumblestone washable tattoo.

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Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of the Dubliners

When: 02 April

Where: New Theatre Oxford

Direct from the West End and having sold out venues worldwide, Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of the Dubliners returns to theatres in 2023. This celebration of the music of the Dubliners is a celebration of Irish music itself and a guaranteed evening of music, humour and ‘craic’. It is, without a doubt, the ultimate feel-good Irish show.

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The Bootleg Beatles

When: 04 April

Where: New Theatre Oxford

From Love Me Do to Let It Be, from the Cavern to the Apple rooftop, from black and white to psychedelic technicolour, the world’s premier Beatle band returns to take you on a whistle-stop journey through the most vibrant, revolutionary and divisive decade of all – the Swinging Sixties. It’s not the Beatles, but you simply won’t believe it!

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Haters Roast

When: 05 April

Where: New Theatre Oxford

The Haters Roast is coming to the UK for the first time in Spring 2023 for The Shady Tour, a drag comedy spectacular hosted by The Vivienne. The show will feature nine of the world’s most loved RuPaul’s Drag Race stars from across the UK, the US and Canada for twelve outrageous evenings of unapologetic comedy that will have the audiences rolling on the floor laughing.

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St Matthew Passion

When: 06 April

Where: Sheldonian Theatre

Bach’s great depiction of Jesus’s arrest and crucifixion, the St Matthew Passion, was unprecedented when it was first performed on Good Friday 1727. The Orchestra is joined by The Choir of The Queen’s College, The Boys of Radley College Choir and front-rank soloists for this Passiontide performance under The Queen’s College’s Owen Rees.

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Discover more: Sheldonian Theatre
Test Match Special Live: The Ashes

When: 06 April

Where: New Theatre Oxford

Voice of Cricket Jonathan ‘Aggers’ Agnew will be joined by Aussie bowling legend Glenn McGrath – and a host of special guests – as the TMS team relive hilarious Ashes anecdotes, great memories of classic series past, as well as debating the hottest topics in cricket today.

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Discover more: Glenn McGrath looks ahead as Test Match Special Live tour heads to Oxford
Easter at Blenheim Palace

When: 7 to 10 April

Where: Blenheim Palace

Visit Blenheim Palace for a fun-packed family day out during the Easter weekend. There will be lots of ‘eggcellent’ activities for all the family to participate in, including circus skills, street entertainment and a special appearance from the Easter bunny. All activities will take place in the Walled Garden.

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Russell Howard

When: 07 April

Where: New Theatre Oxford

Russell Howard, “one of the world’s top comedians” (Sunday Times) is back for a brand new live tour of the UK in 2023. As we reel from one global crisis to the next, join Russell, ‘the uplifting Comedy King’, as he puts the world to rights in his own uniquely hilarious way.

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Alasdair Beckett-King: The Interdimensional ABK

When: 13 April

Where: The Glee Club

Join the award-winning comedian Alasdair Beckett-King on a ramshackle jaunt through a multiverse of wonders. Learn to make the best of a bad timeline with ABK’s dimension-hopping stand-up, multimedia wizardry and normal wizardry. As seen on Mock the Week and the internet.

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Discover more: The Glee Club, Oxford
Annie

When: 17 to 22 April

Where: New Theatre Oxford

The smash-hit production of ANNIE comes to Oxford direct from London’s West End. Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. With unforgettable songs such as It’s The Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll love it!

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American Journey with Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra

When: 22 April

Where: Sheldonian Theatre

Between them, Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber defined the orchestral sound of America in the first half of the 20th century. But plenty of gems of American music remain undiscovered. Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey also brings us Florence Price’s astonishing Piano Concerto of 1934, played by Samantha Ege, and William Grant Still’s idyllic pastoral, Wood Notes.

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Discover more: Classical Music, Opera & Ballet
Bicester Heritage April 2023 Scramble

When: 23 April

Where: Bicester Heritage

A sell-out in record time in 2022, the Bicester Heritage April Scramble is always a special Sunday in spring. Explore the historic motoring hub from 9.00am until 2.00pm and take a glimpse behind the doors of 47 industry-leading specialists, allowing behind-the-scenes access to their showrooms and workshops – beat the winter blues and enjoy a family-fun day out.

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The Spongebob Musical

When: 25 to 29 April

Where: New Theatre Oxford

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea and became the hottest star on Broadway? Why, it’s SpongeBob SquarePants! And now he’s ready to ride the wave to Oxford to entertain and delight audiences in this brilliant, bright, hilarious and brand-new musical production. Plunge into this stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show!

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Chipping Norton Literary Festival 2023

When: 27 to 30 April

Where: Various venues in Chipping Norton

Since 2012 Chipping Norton has held its Literary Festival each April, celebrating writing and reading in attractive venues at the heart of this charming Cotswold town. It has developed a reputation as one of the friendliest literary festivals, bringing a wide-ranging array of writers, poets, public figures and creative people to the town.

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Discover more: Literary Festivals in Oxfordshire
Kidlington Amateur Operatic Society Spring Concert

When: 28 & 29 April

Where: St Mary’s Kidlington

Come and enjoy some interesting and maybe unknown pieces by Kidlington Amateur Operatic Society (KAOS). Founded in 1977, KAOS has been presenting concerts and fully-staged musical shows for over 40 years. They put on three performances a year – a Spring Concert, a full-stage Autumn Production, and a Christmas Charity Concert.

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Kidlington Amateur Operatic Society Spring Concert

When: 28 & 29 April

Where: St Mary’s Kidlington

Come and enjoy some interesting and maybe unknown pieces by Kidlington Amateur Operatic Society (KAOS). Founded in 1977, KAOS has been presenting concerts and fully-staged musical shows for over 40 years. They put on three performances a year – a Spring Concert, a full-stage Autumn Production, and a Christmas Charity Concert.

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Jousting tournament at Blenheim Palace

When: 29 April to 01 May

Where: Blenheim Palace

The Knights of Middle England are ready to take you back to the exciting and colourful era of the Middle Ages with their action-packed, high-octane Jousting and Stunt Show. Visitors will be transported back in time to a medieval tournament complete with authentic tiltyard, royal box, falconry, archery and hand-to-hand combat. Expect thrills – and maybe spills! – in an action-packed day of discovery.

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The Creation with Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra

When: 29 April

Where: Sheldonian Theatre

When The Creation was first performed, Haydn was overcome by his own achievements. In representing chaos and the creation of light, the oratorio’s elemental inspiration transcends the boundaries of its era. In the building where Haydn received his Oxford doctorate, the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra is joined by soloists and the Choir of Merton College for Haydn’s most inspired ‘creation’.

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Discover more: Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra
The Magic of Motown

When: 30 April

Where: New Theatre Oxford

Celebrate the sound of a generation with one very special night of The Magic of Motown! Seen by over a million people and now in its 16th year touring the UK, this show is one of the biggest success stories in British theatre history. Get ready for all the hits, glittering costumes, dazzling dance routines and outstanding musicianship in this breathtaking live concert spectacular.

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Dia al-Azzawi – Painting Poetry

When: Until 11 June

Where: Ashmolean Museum

This free exhibition presents artworks and ‘dafatir’ from Dia al-Azzawi, an internationally recognised Iraqi painter and sculptor who has been living and working in London since the late 1970s. Dia al-Azzawi is best known for monumental and colourful canvasses, and his work spans many genres, including a type of artist book known in Arabic as ‘dafatir’.

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Discover more: Exhibitions & Displays
Carey Young

When: 25 March to 02 July

Where: Modern Art Oxford

In this major new exhibition at Modern Art Oxford, Carey Young (b. 1970, lives and works in London) focuses her astute vision on female identity with works depicting women working in law and industry, which invite viewers into new perceptions of systemic power, gender and justice. An associated selection of Young’s compelling text and photographic works will connect law, power and visual culture.

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Discover more: Modern Art Oxford
About Labyrinth: Knossos, Myth & Reality

When: From 10 February

Where: Ashmolean Museum

The palace of Knossos, discovered and excavated over 100 years ago, was the centre of a Bronze Age civilisation of people we now call the Minoans, named after the legendary King Minos. This will be the first UK exhibition to focus on Knossos and will include over 100 objects that have never left Crete and Greece before, alongside discoveries from the Ashmolean’s Sir Arthur Evans Archive.

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Discover more: Ashmolean Museum