Things to do in Oxfordshire this Spring bank holiday
Need some inspiration for what to do with yourself in Oxfordshire this Spring bank holiday?
We’ve got another treat in store this weekend, with one of those sweet May bank holidays just around the corner. It’s the last one for a while, so make the most of it. And if you’re looking for things to do in Oxford and across the county, you’ve come to the right place.
For museum nerds, peruse the permanent displays and longer-term exhibitions at Oxford’s iconic museums – The Ashmolean, the Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum. And for bookworms, squirrel yourself away in one of independent bookshops in Oxfordshire, where you’re sure to find more than meets the eye.
Still got gaps in your diary? Embrace the warmer days by heading out for a meal at one of 50+ restaurants in Oxford and beyond for alfresco dining this summer, or perhaps for an indulgent Country House Afternoon Tea – perfect for whiling away those tedious hours between brunch and supper.
We hope there’s enough here to pique your interest, but if you still have gaps in your diary, visit the What’s on section for more events, and be sure to check out our guide to What’s on in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this May.
Oxfordshire Artweeks Festival 2026
Oxfordshire Artweeks is the UK’s oldest and biggest artist open studios and pop-up exhibition event, showcasing the remarkable visual arts, craft, and creative talent of hundreds of local artists, makers and designers over a three-week period.
As always, you can feast your eyes on a huge range of creative activities by hundreds of artists, makers and designers in artists’ studios, pop-up galleries, glorious gardens, ancient churches, medieval tithe barns and other amazing venues in Oxford and across Oxfordshire.
Discover more: Exhibitions
William Street
William Street is a bold new play blending intimate family drama with political tension, offering a powerful and unmissable theatrical experience.
Ulster American
Ulster American is a black satire that will make you laugh, gasp, question why you’re laughing, and laugh some more. This is a conversation you were never supposed to hear. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
Our House
Our House is a joyful musical blending sharp storytelling with irresistible music and movement, and a live, dancing band on stage. With hits including House of Fun, Baggy Trousers, My Girl, It Must Be Love, Night Boat to Cairo and Our House, this lively, nostalgic show is packed with energy, fun and heart.
Blenheim Palace Food Festival 2026
Blenheim Palace Food Festival is back with a food festival for everyone. Expect three days of culinary thrills with a fantastic line-up of celebrity chefs and experts, amazing food and drink from a huge selection of artisanal producers and street food vendors, interactive masterclasses and tastings and plenty of fun for all the family.
Discover more: Blenheim Palace
First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte Sanctuary Choir
Join the First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte Sanctuary Choir for a spirited lunchtime concert of gospels and American choral highlights by Anton Copland, Elaine Hagenberg, Hoses Hogan, Stephen Paulus and others.
Ministry of Science Live
Ministry of Science Live returns from London’s West End with an explosive, interactive show exploring how science shapes everyday life. Featuring live demonstrations, humour and audience participation, the team celebrates scientists and inventors while inspiring audiences to change the world for the better.
Ella Al-Shamahi: Becoming Human
Ella Al-Shamahi explores the story of Homo sapiens in a compelling talk blending science, storytelling and humour. Drawing on evolution, exploration and human history, she reveals how our species survived, thrived and reshaped the world.
The Comedy Store Players
The Comedy Store Players bring their legendary improvised show to the stage, featuring stars of ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway’. Expect fast-paced comedy, audience-led games and spontaneous songs in a night of world-class improvisation.
An Orchestral Tribute to Tim Burton & Dark Fantasy by Moonlight
An Orchestral Tribute to Tim Burton & Dark Fantasy by Moonlight – An enchanting live performance of whimsical and otherworldly dark fantasy film music, brought to life by the Illuminated Orchestra, beneath the glow of a giant moon.
Santiago Sanchez & Christopher Glynn
Tenor Santiago Sanchez and pianist Christopher Glynn perform Schumann’s Dichterliebe alongside songs by Albéniz, Guastavino, Ginastera and Turina in a programme of love, longing and loss.
Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of the Dubliners
Join Seven Drunken Nights as The Story of the Dubliners celebrates its incredible 10th Anniversary with a night of great Irish music. The show is packed full of classics like Whiskey in the Jar, The Irish Rover, and Rocky Road to Dublin – guaranteed to get your toes tapping as they bring the joy of this much-loved Irish folk band back to the stage.
Hamza Yassin: My Life Behind The Lens
Hamza Yassin brings his first theatre tour to the stage, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, breathtaking footage and personal reflections from his global wildlife adventures in a show celebrating nature, storytelling and exploration.
Out of the Deep
Out of the Deep is a family-friendly specimen handling and exploration of the underwater world of marine reptiles.
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.
In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World
In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World at the Ashmolean Museum uncovers the hidden histories behind Britain’s most beloved blooms. Explore over 100 artworks and objects that reveal how plant exploration and trade shaped landscapes, cultures, and economies – from roses and tulips to camellias and peonies.
Wonder of Birds Exhibition
The Bodleian Libraries’ Wonder of Birds exhibition explores art, science and culture through the lens of avian life. Featuring rare archives, manuscripts and immersive sound, it invites visitors to reflect on both the beauty of birds and their decline.
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