What to do in Oxford and across Oxfordshire in January.
Hello and welcome to 2025! It’s great to see you here.
We all know that post-Christmas slump – the one where you just want to kick back and relax after the whirlwind of the festive season. But come on, who are we kidding?
January is here, and it’s time to shake off that holiday feeling and make the most of the fresh start. So, whether you’re up for a brisk winter walk or planning to cosy up in one of Oxfordshire’s charming pubs (or maybe both!), there’s no better time to dive into what’s happening in Oxford and beyond.
January in Oxfordshire is far from dull.
Our curated list has got all the top events to check out this month, but don’t stop there. Be sure to browse the full “What’s On” section for even more fantastic events – you might just stumble across something exciting outside the county that’s worth a day trip. From performances to exhibitions, there’s plenty to see and do.
Got an event you think should be on the list? We’d love to include it! List your event on The Oxford Magazine website and reach an audience of locals and visitors who are ready to explore everything Oxfordshire has to offer.
So here’s to a fun and action-packed January! Get ready to discover new experiences, make the most of your time, and enjoy everything Oxford and Oxfordshire have in store for you this month.
War Horse
War Horse tells the remarkable story of a young boy called Albert and his horse, Joey, set against the backdrop of the First World War. This powerfully moving and imaginative drama is a show of phenomenal inventiveness, filled with stirring music and songs, featuring ground-breaking puppetry work by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company.
Bicester Heritage January 2025 Scramble
Kick off 2025 with the first Scramble of 2025, on Sunday 05 January. The central display will celebrate Class of the Field along with usual variety of classics, supercars and all things automotive. The home of historic motoring will be open from 9.00am until 2.00pm, giving you a glimpse behind the doors of more than 50 industry-leading specialists, showrooms and workshops.
Discover more: Bicester Heritage
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The multi-award-winning show has been performed hundreds of thousands of times, including multiple runs in the West End and on Broadway, international tours in over 80 countries worldwide, and has become one of the world’s most beloved family musicals.
Luke Wright: JOY!
Following the smash hit success of his Silver Jubilee show (“the best thing he’s done and that’s saying something.” ★★★★★ Telegraph), Luke Wright returns with a new set of poems that get to grips with the idea of JOY. Is it possible, as a 42-year-old to feel pure unbridled happiness, and what does it look like?
Oxfordshire Mind Comedy Gala
Get ready for another night of unstoppable laughter as Oxfordshire Mind and Jericho Comedy take over the Main Stage for their annual Comedy Gala! Featuring top-tier comedians and an electrifying atmosphere, this event supports a vital cause.
OXOPS presents Cinderella
OXOPS is thrilled to return to the New Theatre, Oxford, with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Based upon the classic fairy tale, Cinderella tells the story of a young woman forced into servitude who dreams of and achieves a better life.
Chinese New Year Festival 2025
From the lively fun of the Lion Dance to an amazing Kung Fu display, this show is a fantastic showpiece of Chinese cultural tradition. Witness the daring stunts of Chinese acrobats alongside the magnificent 18-metre-long Dragon Dance – and much more.
Lessons from History
Lessons from History is a Double Bill of two short plays: one exploring the troubled life of Paddy Hitler, son of Hitler’s half-brother and an Irish mother, and the other delving into the local unrest in Charlbury over compulsory smallpox inoculations in the late 19th century.
L1nkn P4rk
L1nkn P4rk, one of the top Linkin Park tribute bands, is dedicated to delivering an authentic live experience. Known for their raw energy and dynamic performances, they bring all the iconic hits from Linkin Park’s catalogue to life, recreating the band’s distinctive sound and electrifying presence.
Sarah Keyworth: My Eyes are Up Here
Sarah Keyworth is back with a brand new, joyous show about family, acceptance, and a pair of big (well, not super big) losses. This show has recently become the Winner of the Most Outstanding Show at The Melbourne Comedy Festival 2024.
Montmorency In Concert
This Oxfordshire-based folk, blues, rock, and country ensemble, presents a one-of-a-kind performance at the Oxford Playhouse’s Burton Taylor Studio. Anticipate a sneak peek into their upcoming 2024 album, offering a unique opportunity to hear unreleased material before it hits the studio.
Andy Zaltzman: The Zaltgeist
Andy Zaltzman embarks on his biggest stand-up tour, exploring the state of Earth and its most puzzling inhabitants—humans—with his trademark sharp satire. Chair of BBC Radio 4’s award-winning The News Quiz, he tackles the big questions: What? Who? Where? Why?
80s Live
You’ve made it through the wilderness. Somehow, you’ve made it through and now we’ll never give you up! Direct from London’s West End, we will be heading down the Atlanta Highway, so bring your jukebox money and get ready to Jitterbug.
Shen Yun
Shen Yun presents an all-new dance and music production that takes you on an epic journey through 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation before communism. Be transported to heavenly realms through elegant classical Chinese dance, original orchestral works, and patented interactive backdrops.
Discover more: New Theatre Oxford
The Shark is Broken
The Shark is Broken reveals the chaos behind the making of Jaws, with Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Scheider stuck in a small boat amidst delays and tension. A hit in the West End and Broadway, it’s “hilariously brilliant” (★★★★★).
The Tumbling Paddies
The Tumbling Paddies, one of Ireland’s top music acts, are known for their original songs like “Pretty Girl” and “Night On The Town.” With an energetic live show, they’ll perform a mix of originals and classic Irish hits for an uplifting night.
The Phonics (Stereophonics Tribute) + A Band Called Malice (The Jam Tribute)
The Phonics, the UK’s premier Stereophonics tribute band, will perform hits like “Have a Nice Day”, “Maybe Tomorrow”, “Dakota” and many more. Joining them is A Band Called Malice, the ultimate tribute to The Jam, quickly becoming a top choice for fans.
Dean Z – The Ultimate Elvis
Direct from the USA, Dean Z brings his very own all-new high-energy Elvis tribute show to the UK in 2023, performing each incredible era of the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” backed by a powerful 11-piece band, horn section, incredible background vocalists and immersive video content for a truly unforgettable concert experience.
Into the Woods
Into the Woods follows Cinderella, Jack, and a Baker and his wife as they pursue their wishes, only to face unexpected consequences. With Stephen Sondheim’s acclaimed score, this Tony-winning musical explores hope, family, and moral complexities in a visionary adaptation by of Oxford University student company Peach Productions.
Westgate Christmas Village
Leiden Square will transform into a festive wonderland to welcome back the Westgate Christmas Village. Whether you’re visiting Westgate Oxford to shop, eat, or simply soak in the festive atmosphere, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Money Talks: Art, Society & Power
Money Talks: Art, Society & Power is a major exhibition open until 05 January 2025 at the Ashmolean, exploring the place of money in our world through different artistic lenses. The exhibition features more than 100 objects from across the globe, including artworks by Rembrandt, Andy Warhol, Guerrilla Girls, Grayson Perry and Bansky, and the new phenomenon of cryptocurrency and NFTs.
Sleeping Beauty at Oxford Playhouse
We all know the story of Sleeping Beauty, right? Evil fairy curses baby, baby grows into a beautiful teenage princess, princess pricks her finger on a spindle, and… time travels across 1000 years. Oh no, she doesn’t? Oh yes, she DOES in this spellbinding new production brought to you by Oxford Playhouse. Don’t hit snooze… book your tickets now for this year’s Oxford Playhouse Pantomime, Sleeping Beauty.
Christmas in Oxford 2024 (previously Oxford Christmas Market)
This year’s Oxford Christmas Market, which will now be known as “Christmas in Oxford”, is set to take place in the heart of the city on beautiful and historic Broad Street with wooden stalls, a giant Christmas tree, and a live music stage. The Christmas market will run from 23 November through to 05 January.
Discover more: Markets & Fairs
Kabuki Legends: Part Two
Japanese artist Takahashi Hiromitsu creates dynamic, colourful prints showing exciting moments in kabuki, a traditional form of dance-drama. This exhibition showcases a second selection of these unusual prints from the Ashmolean’s own extensive collection of Hiromitsu’s work, generously presented by Philip Harris.
Oracles, Omens and Answers
Drawing on material from across time and cultures – from oracle bones from Shang Dynasty China (ca. 1250-1050 B.C.E.) to an autobiography of Ronald Reagan’s White House astrologer – Oracles, Omens and Answers will explore the different techniques humans have used to unveil the past, understand the present and predict the future.
Ashmolean NOW: Bettina von Zwehl
This is the third in the Ashmolean NOW exhibition series, where contemporary artists are invited to create new work inspired by the Ashmolean’s historical collections. This exhibition features photographs by the London-based artist, whose aim is to rekindle wonder and curiosity as critical tools for exploring new ideas and practices.
Breaking Ground
Breaking Ground is a new exhibition at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History that charts these significant developments in palaeontology and geology through a cast of characters – both the celebrated and the unsung – who helped to establish new scientific methods and ideas.
Cheung Yee and his 1960s Hong Kong contemporaries
This exhibition showcases newly-acquired works for the Ashmolean by the Hong Kong artist Cheung Yee (1936–2019) alongside those by Lui Shou-Kwan (1919–75), Wucius Wong (b.1936), Liu Kuo-sung (b.1932) and others from the avant-garde Circle Art Group. It will be the first substantial display of Cheung Yee’s work outside Hong Kong.
The post What’s on in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this January appeared first on The Oxford Magazine.
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