What to do in Oxford and across Oxfordshire in December
Welcome to your essential guide to what’s happening in Oxford and Oxfordshire this December!
December arrives with its own kind of magic. The last of the autumn leaves give way to crisp winter mornings, and the county begins to glow with the early signs of the festive season.
But beyond the Christmas lights, markets, and seasonal celebrations, there’s a whole world of non-Christmassy things to do across Oxfordshire – often overlooked, but absolutely worth your time.
This round-up focuses on everything happening in December that isn’t Christmas-themed. From theatre, live music and winter exhibitions to talks, workshops, comedy, food events, and fantastic days out, there’s still plenty to enjoy even if you’re taking a breather from all things tinsel and turkey.
If you are looking for festive fun, you’ll find our dedicated, comprehensive Christmas guide – packed with markets, trails, concerts, shows, and seasonal events – over on our Christmas page.
As always, this is a curated list of things to do in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this month. You’ll find even more local listings – and a selection of standout events beyond the county – in the “Events” section of the website.
Have an event you think should be featured? List your event on The Oxford Magazine and reach an engaged audience of people who live, work, or play in Oxfordshire.
MAMMA MIA!
The smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA is back at New Theatre Oxford. Enjoy the ultimate feel-good factor at the world’s sunniest and most exhilarating smash-hit musical in Oxford. Set on a Greek island paradise, a story of love, friendship and identity is cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA.
The Wailers
Embark on an extraordinary musical journey with The Wailers as they commemorate the 40th anniversary of their acclaimed album, Legend, featuring timeless classics such as ‘One Love,’ ‘No Woman, No Cry’, ‘Redemption Song,’ and ‘Three Little Birds.’
Electric Six
Detroit rockers Electric Six are back with their unique blend of garage-rock, disco, punk, and exhilarating live show.
Where’s Father Christmas?
Father Christmas has gone missing, and the elves are in a festive frenzy to finish wrapping in time for the big day. Filled with stories, songs, and interactive fun, this Oxford Playhouse adventure invites children aged 3 to 6 to help find him and save Christmas in a joyful family experience.
Alfie Moore: Acopalypse Now
Alfie’s new tour show Fair Cop tackles rising crime, culture wars, AI and global warming with sharp humour and seasoned policing insight. Blending pragmatism with laugh-out-loud storytelling, he dismantles doomsday thinking and egotistical bullies alike. Saddle up for a witty, uplifting ride through chaos, comedy and common sense.
The Scummy Mummies Christmas Show
The Scummy Mummies bring their hilariously chaotic Christmas show back to the stage, delivering festive filth, sketches, songs and stand-up. Perfect for parents, carers or anyone needing a wild night out, it’s a joyous celebration of humour, honesty and holiday madness.
Sexbomb: Celebrating the Music of Tom Jones
Sexbomb delivers a dynamic, one-night-only tribute to Sir Tom Jones, led by acclaimed impersonator Andy Wood and backed by a full live band. With over two hours of iconic hits and 35 years of worldwide performances behind him, Andy brings unmatched energy to this unmissable, fun-filled celebration of a music legend.
National Theatre Live: The Fifth Step
Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden and Emmy winner Martin Freeman lead The Fifth Step, David Ireland’s gripping new play. Exploring recovery, confession, and fragile friendship, this provocative production directed by Finn den Hertog was filmed live from London’s West End at @sohoplace.
St Agnes Fountain
St Agnes Fountain return this December, continuing their much-loved tradition of festive tours filled with inventive musicianship, warmth and humour. Now performing as a trio after the loss of David Hughes, Chris Leslie, Chris While and Julie Matthews keep the cherished “Aggie” Christmas spirit alive with magical live shows and beloved seasonal favourites.
Jack and the Beanstalk
Jack and the Beanstalk is the Pantomime you’ve ‘bean’ waiting for. Expect a jovial Jack, a punch-packing princess, a feisty fairy, a silly sibling, a witty widow, a slippery servant, a kind-hearted king… and a cow with some beef. Oh… and a very large magical plant, of course!
Wheatus
Wheatus mark 25 years of Teenage Dirtbag with a UK tour in 2025, performing their entire debut album live each night. Fans can also request favourites from the band’s three-decade career, continuing a long-loved tradition at their headline shows. A celebratory, interactive experience for longtime fans and new listeners alike.
Roopa Panesar – Atma (The Soul)
Roopa Panesar’s ATMA brings a powerful live journey through love, loss, grief and joyful union. Blending Indian classical music with jazz, this evocative performance unites sitar, tabla, double bass, guitar and electronics in a rich, soul-stirring soundscape.
WiFi Wars
WiFi Wars is a live comedy game show where you all play along: Log in with your smartphone or tablet and compete in a range of games, puzzles, and quizzes to win the show, and prizes. It is hosted by comedian Steve McNeil (team captain on UK TV’s hit comedy/gaming show Dara O’Briain’s Go 8 Bit) and aided by Guinness World-Record-Breaking tech whizz, the award-winning Rob Sedgebeer!
City of Oxford Choir: O Be Joyful!
Ring in the festive season with the City of Oxford Choir at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. This uplifting Christmas celebration features beloved traditional carols, reflective seasonal music and exquisite contemporary works, creating an evening filled with warmth, joy and wonder.
Oxford Coffee Concerts: Brodsky Quartet
Oxford Coffee Concerts, held since 1986 at the historic Holywell Music Room, offer superb Sunday morning chamber music. This week features Borodin: Scherzo in A flat major, Rachmaninoff: Vocalise, op 34 no 14 (arr P Cassidy), Smetana: String Quartet no 1 in E minor (“From My Life”), with pre-concert coffee nearby.
Henning Kraggerud, Adrian Brendel, Imogen Cooper
Immerse yourself in an evening of Schubert’s greatest chamber masterpieces as three distinguished musicians unite to perform his Piano Trios in B-flat and E-flat. These late works, completed just a year before the composer’s death, overflow with lyrical richness, emotional nuance, and moments of profound, radiant beauty.
St John’s International Piano Series: Vadym Kholodenko
Ukraine-born virtuoso Vadym Kholodenko delivers a thrilling programme featuring Beethoven’s monumental Hammerklavier Sonata, Lyatoshinsky’s expressive Three Preludes and the full original Paganini Études by Liszt. A rare chance to hear one of today’s most electrifying pianists in music of brilliance and daring.
Tony Christie: Up Close & Unplugged Farewell Tour
Experience Tony Christie up close as he brings his Great Farewell Unplugged Tour to the stage, performing timeless hits, fan favourites and Nashville-inspired reimaginations in a heartfelt, unforgettable evening from one of music’s most enduring voices.
Six the Musical
From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st-century girl power. These Queens may have green sleeves, but their lipstick is rebellious red. Think you know the rhyme, think again… Divorced. Beheaded. LIVE!
Waterperry Opera Festival’s Magical 2025 Winter Season
Waterperry Opera Festival returns from 12 to 14 December 2025 at Oxford’s historic Holywell Music Room. This magical Winter Season features three festive performances, ranging from inspiring oratorio to lively jazz and family-friendly favourites. Audiences can look forward to an uplifting programme filled with seasonal warmth, wonder, and musical delight.
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a brand-new pantomime adventure sees the infamous Captain Hook on a mission for revenge. Backed by his all-singing, all-dancing pirate crew, the heartless and hated hot-head of Henley has concocted a dastardly plan to steal Fairyland’s happy thoughts. Featuring dazzling costumes, spectacular choreography, special effects, a hilarious script, bags of audience interaction, sweets, and who knows, maybe even the odd water gun or two!
Stereolab
Join experimental art-rock group Stereolab as they bring the celebration of their 35th anniversary as a band.
Oxford Coffee Concerts: Ben Baker & Daniel Lebhardt
Oxford Coffee Concerts, held since 1986 at the historic Holywell Music Room, offer superb Sunday morning chamber music. This week features Schubert: Rondo Brillant in B minor, op 70, D 895, Brahms: Violin Sonata no 2 in A major, op 100, Respighi: Violin Sonata in B minor, P 110, with pre-concert coffee nearby.
That 80s Christmas Rock Show
That 80s Christmas Rock Show delivers over two hours of iconic rock anthems, power ballads and festive 80s classics from legends like Bon Jovi, Queen, Journey and more. Expect high-energy performances packed with lasers, smoke, vintage audio and huge fun for all ages—plus incredible vocals, killer solos and an 8ft snowman.
Barb Jungr and Dillie Keane: Two Turtle Doves
International cabaret icons Dillie Keane and Barb Jungr reunite for a sparkling festive performance filled with rich harmonies, sharp humour and inventive seasonal songs. Featuring classics from Tom Waits to John Legend, it promises a joyous and memorable Christmas night out.
Diva of the Decades
Diva of the Decades brings powerhouse vocals, dazzling choreography, and timeless hits to audiences across the UK. Led by Shelley Davina and a stellar cast, this one-night-only celebration of iconic divas promises an unforgettable night of music, energy, and spectacle.
Miss Saigon
Michael Harrison in association with Cameron Mackintosh presents a new production of Miss Saigon as Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical is reborn. The soaring score features original hit songs including; The Heat is On in Saigon, The Movie in My Mind, Last Night of the World, and The American Dream.
Slade – The Final Tour
Slade bring their legendary pop-rock sound and flamboyant energy to the stage, performing classics like ‘Far Far Away’ and ‘Cum On Feel the Noize.’ With six decades of hits, they deliver a thrilling, high-octane show loved by fans worldwide.
Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood is a a brand new, laugh-out-loud pantomime adventure full of magic, music and mayhem. Special performances include an 18+ After Dark Panto for grown-up giggles, and a Relaxed Performance designed to provide a welcoming, inclusive experience. Expect fairy magic, sweet treats, royal banquets, and plenty of surprises along the way.
Then Jerico
Founder member, lead singer, songwriter, and producer Mark Shaw and his band will perform songs from the first two Then Jerico albums including all the hit singles and selected b-sides and tracks from all his albums.
There’s A Monster in Your Christmas Show at Bicester Leisure Centre
Tom Fletcher’s Who’s in Your Book? series comes to life in a brand-new musical packed with songs, laughter, and festive fun — the perfect introduction to live theatre for little ones this Christmas.
Ashmolean NOW: Daphne Wright – Deep-Rooted Things
The fourth instalment of the Ashmolean Now series focuses on sculptures by Irish artist Daphne Wright. Daphne Wright works in unfired clay and jesmonite and has long experimented with casting. Central to the exhibition will be Sons and Couch, a life-size sculptural artwork cast in jesmonite of the artist’s sons.
This Is What You Get
This Is What You Get is a major exhibition that will explore the visual art of Stanley Donwood and Thom Yorke and the iconic images of Radiohead. More than 180 objects will be on display from the artists’ 30-year collaboration, including original paintings for album covers, digital compositions, etchings, unpublished drawings, and lyrics in their sketchbooks.
Images of Authority: Portraits Between Iran and Europe
Images of Authority: Portraits Between Iran and Europe explores how Fath Ali Shah Qajar, King George III, and Napoleon Bonaparte used portraiture to convey power and personality. Featuring works from Iran, Britain, and France, the exhibition includes restored Qajar paintings and reveals the strategies behind these rulers’ compelling visual representations.
Pat Suet-Bik Hui & the Three Perfections
Pat Suet-Bik Hui & the Three Perfections showcases the Hong Kong-born artist’s mastery of painting, calligraphy, and poetry, presented alongside works by her teacher Lui Shou-Kwan and other historical examples. The exhibition highlights Hui’s contemporary approach, blending abstract ink and colour washes with poetic inscriptions exploring love, loss, and life’s quiet joys.
The post What’s on in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this December appeared first on The Oxford Magazine.
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