What’s on in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this August

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

August is indeed, a wonderful time to be in Oxfordshire.

Enjoy the sun. Make time for brunch at one of the many local restaurants with outdoor seating, or grab a blanket, pack a picnic basket and find yourself a coveted spot at any of the numerous outdoor theatre events across the county.

And if you fancy venturing further afield, consider taking a cultural day trip to London’s west end on a weekend (the capital city is relatively calmer then) for a matinee in one of London’s theatres.

Need we say again that this is a curated list of things to do in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this August. Take a look at the “What’s on” section, where you’ll find a growing array of events in Oxford and across Oxfordshire, plus unmissable ones 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 August.

The Oxford Shakespeare Festival 2023

When: 19 June to 12 August

Where: Oxford Castle & Prison

The Oxford Shakespeare Festival is back for its 13th year! This outdoor theatre experience that takes place in the castle yard of Oxford Castle & Prison will see Wild Goose Theatre, BMH Productions, and Siege Theatre will be putting on marvellous performances of Shakespeare’s finest classics.

View event: The Oxford Shakespeare Festival 2023
Paddington Lo-commotion

When: 04 July to 03 September

Where: Blenheim Palace

This summer, join Paddington in an immersive outdoor adventure across the grounds of Blenheim Palace. Paddington Lo-commotion takes audiences on a journey to meet their favourite characters from the Paddington stories, search for a ‘buried treasure’, and have the opportunity to hop on board a real locomotive subject to availability on the day.

Buy tickets View event: Paddington Lo-commotion
Boundary Encounters

When: 22 July to 29 October

Where: Modern Art Oxford

Boundary Encounters is a summer show of residencies, projects and live events at Modern Art Oxford, including new work from artists Valerie Asiimwe Amani, Julie Freeman and Harold Offeh. The exhibition features an interactive display of projects and events collaboratively selected from Modern Art Oxford’s archives, celebrating social learning experiences with creative communities living in Oxfordshire and beyond.

Discover more: Modern Art Oxford

Event website View event: Boundary Encounters
Wilderness Festival 2023

When: 03 to 06 August

Where: Cornbury Park, Charlbury

Wilderness festival is the multi-award winning 4-day festival combining live music, contemporary arts and an array of theatre, artisanship, late-night parties, outdoor pursuits and culinary experiences. It’s one festival where genres are redefined, identity is turned on its head, and arts from across the spectrum sit side by side.

Festival lineup includes: The Chemical Brothers / Christine and The Queens / Fatboy Slim / Sugababes / Arlo Parks / Confidence Man / Franc Moody / Joesef / GoGo Penguin / Pip Millett / Flyte / Laurent Garnier / Honey Dijon / Todd Terry / Eats Everything + more

Read more: Wilderness festival announces more extraordinary talent for Season Twelve

Buy tickets View event: Wilderness Festival 2023
Burford Antiques Fair

When: 05 & 06 August

Where: Burford School

This quality antiques fair will feature 40 dealers offering a fine range of Jewellery, Silver, Large and small furniture, Fine art, Decorative ceramics from 18th to 20th century, Welsh blankets, Country house, Glass, Lighting etc.

Event website View event: Burford Antiques Fair
Oxford Piano Festival 2023

When: 29 July to 06 August

Where: Various

The Oxford Piano Festival was founded in 1999 by Marios Papadopoulos, renowned pianist and Music Director of the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra. Each year, the Festival welcomes piano players and pedagogues, experts and enthusiasts, to some of Oxford’s most historic venues, such as Sir Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre, the Holywell Music Room, and Christ Church Cathedral.

Festival website View event: Oxford Piano Festival 2023
Fairport Cropredy Convention 2023

When: 10 to 12 August

Where: Cropredy Village, Banbury

The Fairport Cropredy Convention 2023 will be staged over the weekend of 10 to 12 August 2023. The annual festival of folk and rock music, headed by British folk-rock band Fairport Convention is held on the edge of the village of Cropredy near Babnury in Oxfordshire.

Festival lineup includes: TBC

Buy tickets View event: Fairport Cropredy Convention 2023
Waterperry Opera Festival 2023

When: 11 to 20 August

Where: Waterperry Gardens

2023 is a momentous year for the Waterperry Opera Festival, with eight productions this summer, including revivals of the critically acclaimed productions of Mansfield Park (Dove) and Peter Rabbit’s Musical Adventures (Haydn/Potter). Headlining the festival are brand new productions of Carmen (Bizet) and WOF’s first double-bill, Acis and Galatea (Handel) / Dido and Aeneas (Purcell). These are not to be missed.

Buy tickets View event: Waterperry Opera Festival 2023
Henley Summer Fest 2023 – The BIG Family Day Out

When: 12 August

Where: The Henley Showground

Henley Summer Fest – The BIG Family Day Out is new for 2023 and invites families to start their summer with a bang. The festival will host multiple zones of attraction and offer families an array of activities to enjoy throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

Disciver more: Funfairs & fireworks

Buy tickets View event: Henley Summer Fest 2023 – The BIG Family Day Out
Rewind Festival South 2023

When: 18 to 20 August

Where: Temple Island Meadows, Henley-on-Thames

Rewind Festival South is probably the biggest 80’s music festival in the world. It is a spectacular event, packed full of fun, laughter, great (and terrible!) costumes and friends. Celebrate the best decade around with all your favourite 80s icons. Get your tickets and join the biggest party of the summer. This really is going to be one of the 2023 festivals in Oxfordshire you can’t afford to miss.

Festival lineup includes: TBC

View event: Rewind Festival South 2023
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men: Romeo and Juliet

When: 24 August

Where: Waddesdon Manor

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men invite you to join them this summer for the timeless and classic love story Romeo and Juliet. With a history stretching back to William Shakespeare himself, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men present this great play as he first saw it, in the open air, with an all-male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.

Buy tickets View event: The Lord Chamberlain’s Men: Romeo and Juliet
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men: Romeo and Juliet

When: 24 August

Where: Waddesdon Manor

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men invite you to join them this summer for the timeless and classic love story of Romeo and Juliet. With a history stretching back to William Shakespeare himself, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men present this great play as he first saw it, in the open air, with an all-male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.

Buy tickets View event: The Lord Chamberlain’s Men: Romeo and Juliet
The Big Feastival 2023

When: 25 to 27 August

Where: Alex James’ Farm, Kingham

The Big Feastival will be back on Alex James’ beautiful Cotswolds farm this August Bank Holiday. This family-friendly music and food festival promises to be one truly unforgettable weekend. Expect a top-drawer selection of live music acts, some of the country’s top chefs, and plenty of hands-on activities for both big and little ones. The Big Feastival is for everyone, big and small.

Festival lineup includes:

FRIDAY
Music: Sigrid / The Vaccines / Example / Freya Ridings / Natalie Imbruglia / Lightning Seeds / Baby Queen / Dolores Forever / Ruby & Violet
Chefs: Anna Haugh / DJ BBQ / Maunika Gowardhan / Pippy Eats

SATURDAY
Music: Tom Grennan / Everything Everything / Faithless (DJ Set) / Katy B / Newton Faulkner / Ruti / The Cuban Brothers
Chefs: Asma Khan / Becky Excell / Ching He Huang MBE / DJ BBQ / George Egg / James Strawbridge / Lizzie Acker

SUNDAY
Music: Blossoms / Rick Astley / Hot Chip (DJ Set) / Melanie C / Mae Muller / The K’s / Alice Merton / New Hope Club
Chefs: Nathan Outlaw / DJ BBQ / Jude Kereama / Julius Roberts / Lisa Goodwin-Allen / Max La Manna / Seema Pankhania

Discover more: Food & Drink Events

Buy tickets View event: The Big Feastival 2023
Foodies Festival Oxford 2023

When: 26 to 28 August

Where: South Park, Oxford

Foodies Festival Oxford, part of the UK’s biggest food festival, will return over the Bank Holiday weekend with a mouth-watering summer festival, live music, workshops, masterclasses and of course, Top Chefs. Watch MasterChef Champions showw off their skills, learn how to make show-stopping cakes, sample new wines, champagnes and cocktails, taste new flavours, meet artisan producers, and most importantly, have fun all day.

Festival lineup includes: Scouting For Girls / Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Discover more: Foodies Festival set to return to Oxford for a huge August Bank Holiday weekend

Buy tickets View event: Foodies Festival Oxford 2023
Abingdon Balloon & Fireworks Festival 2023

When: 26 August

Where: Abingdon Airfield

Head up to Abingdon Airfield with your family and friends for a breathtaking evening of air displays, hot air balloons, demonstrations, music, skydiving and world-class firework entertainment. Witness displays choreographed to music and a mind-blowing quarter-mile-wide closing display and light show.

Buy tickets View event: Abingdon Balloon & Fireworks Festival 2023
Cowley Classic Car Show 2023

When: 28 August

Where: Notcutts Garden Centre

The Cowley Classic Car Show 2023 is a great Summer’s day out to raise much-needed funds for local and international charities. As in previous years, there will be prizes for ‘best in show’ in several categories that will be announced and awarded around 3.00pm. There will also be a fun dog show, stalls, live music, food and drink, as well as children’s entertainment.

View event: Cowley Classic Car Show 2023
Women and War: From the Fringes to the Front Line

When: Until 10 September

Where: Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum

Women & War: From the Fringes to the Front Line is a new exhibition opening at Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock to tell the stories of women in the armed forces. The exhibition will explore the diverse experiences of women who have been involved with all aspects of military life.

View event: Women and War: From the Fringes to the Front Line
Joana Vasconcelos: Wedding Cake tours

When: Until 26 October

Where: Waddesdon Manor

Opening this summer, Wedding Cake is a 12-metre-tall ceramic sculptural pavilion in the form of a three-tiered cake. This major new Rothschild Foundation commission from celebrated Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos will stand within a grove of trees at Waddesdon beside the 19th-century Dairy.

Book tickets View event: Joana Vasconcelos: Wedding Cake tours
Catherine Goodman: Do you remember me…

When: Until 29 October

Where: Waddesdon Manor

Do you remember me… is a major new exhibition at Waddesdon, showcasing never before seen works by Catherine Goodman. Displayed in the Coach House Gallery and the Drawings Room of the Manor, the exhibition focuses on a new body of work, including a selection of her new paintings, drawings, collages and works on paper which capture the landscape of Corfu and its rugged, vibrant beauty.

Buy tickets View event: Catherine Goodman: Do you remember me…
Gifts and Books

When: Until 29 October

Where: Weston Library

The giving and receiving of gifts is fundamental to human societies.
Drawing on material from ancient Sumerian writing tablets to contemporary fiction for children, Gifts and Books explores the importance of gift-giving through books and across time and how this apparently simple act reveals wider interactions, relationships and belief systems.

Discover more: Weston Library

View event: Gifts and Books