3000 people from all over Oxfordshire are expected at The Leys Festival 2026 on Saturday (July 11) – a beautiful day of food, music, dance, sports and fun for all the family.
The big-hearted, inclusive event, where all activities are free and food prices are capped, is bigger and better than ever.
Highlights include:
Music, Dance & Spoken Word – a packed programme of local musicians and dancers from reggae to hip hop, a Brazilian choir and East Timorese dance, British singer-songwriter Lionhaire will close the Festival at 6pm (see main pic).
Delicious, Affordable Food will be served from Africa, The Caribbean, Malaysia and England traditions to mention just a few! As it is very important to the organisers that cost is not a barrier to anyone, all main meals at the festival will be £5 or less.
The Leys Junior Bake-Off – young bakers aged 8-18 will once again show off their baking skills, collaborating with City Farm to make tasty treats and compete for star baker at the Festival.
Arts and Crafts – come and make a carnival mask or a blackbird of your own, make a head garland, a fancy accessory or contribute to our graffiti wall.
Fun, science, star-gazing, face-painting and vintage cars – enjoy a raft of interactive activities from learning about particle physics, chemistry or astronomy to having your face painted or making a city out of cardboard. There will also be some spectacular inflatables and MINI Plant Oxford are once again bringing some gorgeous classic and current Minis too!
Sports – local football team The Blackbirds will once again run a tournament for young players, and there will be football taster sessions for girls and boys with Oxford City FC, rugby with Littlemore Rugby Club, basketball with the Hoops, and for the first time this year, Leys Cricket Club will offer beginner sessions in their cricket nets, as well as accessible walking cricket.
Building Bridges – celebrating this community’s determination to build bridges across cultural, political and age divides, local schools have decorated specially commissioned Leys Festival Bridges in the run-up to the Festival, sponsored by Activate Learning at Leys College.
Windrush and Leys Icons Exhibition Tent – Provided by Peabody Community Trust this year we will have two exhibitions, one celebrating the nurses and healthcare professionals of the Windrush generation, and a listening station with the voices of people who have made a stunning contribution to their community, or broken down barriers for the next generation.
And for the first time this year… The Chill Zone, a space to enjoy the Festival in a quieter way. Beanbags, benches and headsets, enable you to listen to a more laid-back vibe, enjoy dance, yoga and other workshops and spoken word performances.
The Big Bubble Rising – a huge festival-wide bubble release sponsored by Pride In Place.
THE LEYS FESTIVAL has been organised alongside the new Schwarzman Centre in Oxford READ ABOUT IT HERE, and 40 local residents from Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys. Revived in 2024 by a group of dedicated residents to celebrate the community in a positive light it aims to bring together residents, artists, food providers, musicians, scientists, astronomers, curators, sports coaches and local community organisations to celebrate the amazing diversity of culture in The Leys and East Oxford.
Millie Khisa, Producer Leys Festival 2026 (Community Engagement) says: “The Leys Festival brings our whole community together in a joyful and meaningful way. It celebrates the many cultures and the different generations that make The Leys such a vibrant and resilient place to live. For our families, it’s a moment where everyone — from children to elders — feels seen, valued, and part of something bigger.”
The Leys Festival is being held in Blackbird Leys Park OX4, Saturday July 11 from 12pm -7pm and is suitable for all ages. Entrance is free so just turn up. More details at https://leys-festival.com
