St Giles' Church and street fill with craft stalls and entertainment, celebrating the wealth of tradition and antiquity inherent in the city of Oxford. The annual fair and flower festival has celebrated St Giles' Day in this manner for centuries.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
The Pitt Rivers Museum is the ethnographic museum of Oxford University, a treasure trove of man's creations from all over the world. Discover artefacts from a witch in a bottle to Hawaiian feather cloaks and a Kalabari household shrine.
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Daily
Housed in a renovated church complete with stained-glass windows, the popular Freud Cafe bar frequently has live music and is popular with students. The menu features light snacks and a wide selection of pizzas.
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Daily
Costumed performers act out scenes from Alice in Wonderland as Lewis Carroll's tale is brought to life in Oxford's quads and squares. Hosted by the Story Museum, this fantastic family day out recreates Alice's journey down the rabbit hole.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Each spring sees venues across the city host a series of shows, workshops and talks as part of Dancin' Oxford. From ballet to bhangra, and everything in between, this festival caters for professional dancers and spectators alike.
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Feb - Mar 2013 (annual)
A chance to discover and enjoy some of the city's most interesting buildings and spaces, Oxford Open Doors allows the public to enter buildings that are usually inaccessible. With over 100 venues taking part, there's something to interest and inspire everyone.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
CIAO, the Children's International Arts Organisation, is an Oxford-based performing-arts organisation for young people. Celebrating its work, the annual CIAO! Festival takes place throughout the city and features a programme packed with performances, workshops and school days.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
Some of Oxford's most historic venues, including the Ashmolean Museum and the Bodleian Library, host concerts at the annual Oxford Jazz Festival. A star-studded line-up performs over four days in beautiful surroundings.
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Apr 2013 (annual)
Oxfringe, which runs alongside the famous Oxford Literary Festival, features around 150 events including literary talks, concerts, theatre shows and exhibitions. The festival takes place at venues across the city including the Old Library and the Simpkins Lee Theatre.
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May - Jun 2013 (annual)
Against the backdrop of the city's famous spires, Oxford Pride brings together lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transsexual communities for a week of entertainment. The festival peaks with the annual parade and a series of parties throughout the city.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
The Oxford Chamber Music Festival was established by violinist Priya Mitchell. The idea is to gather together international musicians for three days of intensive rehearsals followed by four days of concerts in various venues around town.
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Sep - Oct 2013 (annual)
Eights Week is the biggest event of the year for keen rowers at all the 30+ colleges of Oxford University. Each is set against the others in a "bumps" racing competition to find the best college rowing team.
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May 2013 (annual)
The annual Oxford Folk Festival takes over Oxford Town Hall and other venues for a host of performances, ceilidhs and workshops. First held in 2004, it is now a major spring event, reflecting the resurgent interest in all things folk.
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Apr 2013 (annual)
Every Ascension Day, members of St Michael's congregation process through Oxford marking out the parish boundary by beating specially marked stones with sticks. Since some of the stones are in bars, pubs and shops, startled and bemused onlookers are common.
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May 2013 (annual)
The Oxford to Cambridge Bike Ride in aid of the British Heart Foundation links England's two most famous university cities. Starting in Oxford, the 89-mile route heads through Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, into the Cambridgeshire fenlands before ending in Cambridge.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
The popular historic Oxford City Royal Regatta is held along a beautiful stretch of the Isis (River Thames). It takes place over two days, with a 1000-metre course on the Saturday and a 500-metre sprint the following day.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
Centuries-old traditions are upheld for Oxford May Day by the population of this student town. Spectators gather in their thousands to hear the choir of Magdalen College sing in the new May dawn from the top of their chapel tower.
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May 2013 (annual)
Oxford's Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology is Britain's oldest public museum. It houses the University of Oxford's collections of art and antiquities from the civilisations of the ancient world to the present day.
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Daily; not Mon
These Sunday concerts in Oxford began in 1986 and have established themselves as one of the UK's most successful chamber music series. Visitors can enjoy performances by excellent musicians and ensembles in the stunning setting of the Holywell Music Room.
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Sun only
Taking place in the 18th-century Holywell Music Room in Oxford's city centre, the town celebrates May Day with a special festival of concerts and lectures. The programme explores topics relating to literature, science and music.
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May 2013 (annual)
As the biggest and best bookshop in one of the world's great academic cities, Blackwell's is a sight bibliophiles cannot miss. Discover books examining every academic pursuit imaginable, as well as children's books and secondhand bargains.
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Daily
Oxford's eminence as one of England's most beautiful cities and an outstanding academic centre is encapsulated in the sprawling Bodleian Library. The complex of historical buildings contains one of the most comprehensive collections of literature in Europe.
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Daily
New College has one of the most beautiful chapels in Oxford and one of the finest choir schools. The atmospheric Midnight Mass is one of the few chances the public has to hear Christmas carols in the college.
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Dec 2013 (annual)
As the oldest English-speaking university in the world, Oxford lays claim to eight centuries of continuous existence. It houses many treasures - in building and park form - and any visit to the town should include at least one of its gems.
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Daily
From humble beginnings in 2002, the Oxford Lieder Festival has established itself as the leading celebration of song in the UK. Concerts, masterclasses, talks and workshops are held in Oxford University's Jacqueline du Pré Music Building and Holywell Music Room.
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Oct 2013 (annual)
Built in 1071 for William the Conqueror, Oxford Castle was once a royal residence, a centre for justice and then a prison, up until 1996. The castle's dark history of violence, executions and escapes is now revealed to visitors.
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Daily
The Westgate, as locals call it, is Oxford's best shopping mall, with plenty of fashion brands, homeware and speciality shops. There is something for everyone here, from the latest computer games and mobile phone accessories to quality teas and party dresses.
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Daily
Lounge on brown leather banquettes at Oxford Castle's sleekest drinking haunt. The Living Room attracts a sophisticated, fashionable crowd who sip expertly-mixed cocktails and bottled lagers. Check out the terrace on warm summer evenings.
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Daily
Oxford becomes even more intellectual when the annual Literary Festival takes place. Over 350 writers descend on the beautiful Christ Church College for a week of talks, debates and discussions. Topics are satisfyingly varied - expect some very distinguished guests.
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Mar - Apr 2013 (annual)
The University of Oxford's Botanic Garden is a national reference collection of 7000 different types of plant. Tucked besides Magdalene College, there is even more biological diversity here than there is in tropical rainforests.
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Daily
Spring Board Festival gives classical music fans the chance to see up-and-coming stars perform at Oxford's Jacqueline du Pré Music Building. A day of intimate recitals is followed by an evening concert with pianist Melvyn Tan and violinist Levon Chilingirian.
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May 2013 (annual)
Dating back to the Middle Ages, when goldsmiths plied their trade here, Oxford's atmospheric Covered Market is a souk-like shopping experience with lots of little shops to browse through. Local specialities include Oxford blue cheese and marmalade.
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Daily
Enjoy a full half-hour firework display at Oxford's Round Table charity event in South Park. Spectators huddle round the bonfire to "oooh!" and "aaah!" at the spectacle, with a funfair after the display and plenty of refreshments.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
Oxford's southern artery is pedestrianised as the Cowley Road Carnival brings street theatre, live music and a colourful parade to the city. This multicultural festival features stalls selling food from all over the world and plenty of family activities.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Art in Action is a four-day festival of the arts in the grounds of Waterperry House, near Wheatley (and Oxford). Artists and craftspeople come together to demonstrate their work and engage directly with the public.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Constructed in the 1700s, Blenheim Palace lies 14 kilometres from Oxford and is one of England's most spectacular stately homes, as well as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The sprawling palace is surrounded by expansive gardens.
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Feb - Dec 2013 (annual)
There can be few equestrian events with a setting quite as spectacular as Blenheim Palace. The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is one of the British Horse Society's most publicised and largest competitions.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
At beautiful Blenheim Palace, the Battle Proms concert comprises traditional fairground stalls, impressive Napoleonic Cavalry and infantry displays but, most importantly, a quality classical musical programme. The magical July evening culminates in a fireworks display.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Visitors to this special May Bank Holiday event at Blenheim Palace can watch armoured knights in hand-to-hand combat and jousting contests. Eat a picnic on the lawn and enjoy archery and falconry displays.
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May 2013 (annual)
Bike Blenheim Palace returns for another demanding trek through the lush countryside surrounding the Cotswolds landmark. With participants ranging from committed cyclists to families keen to ride their bikes in a spectacular setting, the event continues to grow in popularity.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
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