250th Covered Market Traders - Pic by Ed Nix

Oxford’s Covered Market is hosting a big birthday bash to celebrate its 250th anniversary on Friday (September 13), complete with actors in period dress, an interactive trail, live music, fancy dress, a Lindy Hop dance session, interactive history tours and lots of food and drink.

Actors from Oxford Peoples Theatre will be strolling the market in period costume and leading a special interactive market trail. 

Preparations for The Covered Market 250th celebrations

Local artists will provide live music, reflecting evolving music styles since the market began including early music performer Muses Kiss commissioned to craft a set reflecting the music and instruments played in 1774 when Oxford’s Covered Market first opened.

Local folk band Milady Clare’s Musicke will perform popular early folk songs and dances, Steph Pirrie Trio will move into Jazz from the 1920s and ’30s alongside Lindy Hop taster sessions run by Oxford Lindy Hoppers.  

A photobooth hosted by local photographer Jason Fyrefly, local multi-media artist Charlie Henry has created the Un-Covered Market audio tour, to capture anecdotes and stories from guests to add to the market’s archive on The Covered Market’s website.  

Lauren Wellard helps prepare for The Covered Market 250th anniversary celebrations

Local Historian, Malcolm Graham, will lead two interactive history tours of the market, and those that love dressing up should come dressed as a favourite era since 1774 and be in with a chance of winning the best-dressed prize.

There will also be special one night only promotions at the wonderful market traders including a specially brewed 250th Anniversary beer by Teardrop Bar – the market’s first ever bar and more.

These include A Taste Of China, Alpha Bar, Ben’s Cookies, Brothers Café, Brown’s Cafe, Cardew & Co, Colombia Coffee Roasters, Donburi Inn, Georgina’s, Gulp Fiction, Hamblin Snack Bar And Kiosk REAd ABOUT IT HERE, Il Corno READ ABOUT IT HERE , Iscream, Moo-Moo’s, The Oxford Sandwich Company, Pieminister, Rozana, Sartorelli’s Pizza, Sasi’s Thai, Sofi De France, Sushi Bowl, Taylors Oxford, Teardrop Bar, The Market Cellar Door, The Market Tap By Tap Social READ ABOUT IT HERE and Wicked Chocolate.

Preparations for The Covered Market 250th celebrations

Much has been done to make The Covered Market more accessible and popular in recent years, its new late night food and entertainment licence drawing the crowds in. READ ABOUT IT HERE

Oxford Councillor Alex Hollingsworth says: We couldn’t let this special year go by without a big party for everyone to come together and celebrate all the amazing people and moments that make the market so special. So raise a glass with us as we celebrate 250 years of The Covered Market. We can’t wait to see you there!”

Oxford City Council is hosting the celebrations on Friday from 7.30pm to coincide with Oxford Preservation Trust’s Open Doors festival. FREE! It’s Oxford Open Doors this weekend as 100+ buildings are unlocked from colleges to theatres, castles, towers, bridges, fire stations and more!

Tickets for the party are free but must be booked in advance and are limited to two per booking at wegottickets.com/event/627790