Alice’s Day kicks off this Saturday (July 5), as the city’s annual celebration transforms Oxford into a wonderland of street theatre, talks, storytelling, guided walks, croquet, and a giant Wonderland Afternoon Tea.
This year’s theme Quests and Adventures brings together so many exciting and prestigious venues with a fun programme organised by The Story Museum in this special one-day festival.
Look out for the Red Queen procession, a life-size pack of cards, or spot Alice herself chasing the White Rabbit as Curious Company return with Wonderland characters galore, book a place at The Story Museum’s giant Wonderland-themed tea, lean to play croquet at Christ Church Book here, try new interactive board game Snarks and Riddles, follow the specially devised trail in the Story Museum’s Enchanted Library, attend a talk by Phillip Roberts on the Magic Lantern, enjoy free face painting and so much more.
At The Botanic Gardens WhatNot Theatre invites you to Tea Time with Hatter & Hare; a brand-new twist on a Wonderland adventure. with a different topsy-turvy tea party packed with playful antics, costume chaos, and peculiar storytelling. Tumble down the Rabbit hole and encounter familiar faces: a grinning Cheshire Cat, a flustered White Rabbit, a contemplative Caterpillar, and a random Lobster, at
10.30 am, 12.30pm and 14.30pm. Book here
Handle some of the Museum of Oxford‘s Alice related at it’s drop-in session and learn about the stories behind them, or celebrate Alice’s Day there with a highly interactive storytelling session containing powerful, magical and scary main characters in the African-Caribbean Oral Tradition. Tickets cost £3 here. Or help Alice find the White Rabbit in a fun gallery-based game Hands-on History! at History of Science Museum suitable for ages 6+
The Lewis Carroll Society is hosting numerous fascinating talks, Alice’s Shop The Old Sheep Quest is hosting a whimsical, family-friendly craft and adventure extravaganza, The Weston Library brings storytelling from Lucy Walters, as well as creative crafts and some famous flamingo croquet! (The event is free, with no booking required)
And as an additional extra sign up for Alice’s Christ Church Meadow Walk on Sunday July 6; a leisurely walk around beautiful Christ Church Meadow with expert local historian Mark Davies (a trustee of the Lewis Carroll Society and author of ‘Alice in Waterland’), following waterside paths familiar to the real Alice and Lewis Carroll.
Ameneh Enayat, The Story Museum’s head of creative programme says; ‘We are incredibly excited to reveal another unforgettable Alice’s Day. We are incredibly grateful to our partners who work so hard to make this day so special. I can’t think of many children’s stories that have influenced art, fashion, food and film the way that Alice has, and it’s wonderful to think that it all originated here in Oxford.’
