With the countdown to Christmas well and truly underway we have got so many terrific options for you to enjoy, take part in and see in Christmas and New Year in style. From Christmas lunches and NYE send offs to beer bashes, Japanese feasts, a Gatsby extravaganza, a speakeasy, bottomless brunch and even a Come Dancing spectacular, we’ve got it covered!
Kibou, Oxford – swap the usual turkey and trimmings and add a Tokyo Twist to your Christmas celebrations at KIBOU with special sharing menus, seasonal chef’s specials, and Japanese platters until Dec 31. The Festive Sharing Menus are designed for groups of four or more – The Classic (from £35pp) features the freshest sushi and sashimi alongside popular Japanese small plates. The Tokujo Sharing Menu at £75pp is a more indulgent selection including Salmon & Wagyu Crisp, Truffle Teriyaki Tofu, Yuzu Miso Salmon, crisp Tempura and a signature Sushi and Sashimi selection. Vegetarian and vegan versions are available. Not available on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Book at http://www.kibou.co.uk/christmas
See in NYE in style at The Crown in Faringdon where music, DJs, food and drinks aplenty can be found. There are two exciting options available – the first is the swanky four course à la carte dinner and a glass of vintage champagne, alongside all the evening’s entertainment for £95pp. Those wanting to bypass the dinner can still enjoy all the music, plus a drink and bowl food for £30. The two bands raising the roof are The Man With the Stereo Hands and Young Rosie, followed by DJ James Turner, for what looks like an incredible party. Or celebrate DEC 25 in style with a 2AA Rosette Christmas Day Tasting Menu for an unforgettable experience. Priced at £125pp, with two relaxed sittings available. https://www.theoldcrowncoachinginn.com
OXTWO’s Gatsby style NYE party, flowing with cocktails, food, music and DJs, perfectly attuned to the Summertown restaurant’s Art Deco style dark green interior. Expect music from Beth Eliza from 7.30pm-9.30pm then DJ Joff from 10am-1pm when the tempo rises. Throw in Johnny Parke‘s sharing plate menu specially designed for the evening, some wonderful wine and cocktails, and you’ll be in for a treat. £70 per person or £15 after 9.30pm. https://www.oxtwo.co.uk/festive
Festive Afternoon Tea, Rooftop Restaurant, The Ashmolean. Whether you’re viewing one of its exhibitions, visiting the city, meeting loved ones, need a break from your Christmas shopping or just fancy spoiling yourself, this is the place to go. £32.50 for the full works with a festive twist. Think roast turkey with sage emulsion, cranberry sauce and rocket sandwiches or the smoked salmon with dill and horseradish crème fraîche, cranberry and mixed spice scones and the creamy vanilla cheesecake, with a sharp candied clementine. Bubbles from Hundred Hills is an extra £14 a glass, but well worth the splurge. BOOK HERE ashmolean.org/cafe-and-restaurant
Three Horseshoes – Horseshoes Come Dancing! Try something a little different as the pub’s good friend George Martini, who happens to be an extremely talented salsa instructor, will be on hand to teach everyone some salsa moves from 8.30pm-10.30pm. Anyone can pop in for free and have a go! But don’t worry there will also be a special NYE menu from 5.30pm-8pm, and drinks deals throughout the evening. Book at https://www.threehorseshoeswitney.co.uk
Oxford’s Namaste Village – enjoy an epic Christmas Celebration Menu which runs until Dec 24, with a five course vegetarian/vegan feast (£35.95) curated by Chef Urmila Jetani‘s Gujarat inspired menu. Try starters like the Galawati kebabs, a crimson red coloured Christmas masala dosa and saffron royale kofta, red velvet naans or jewelled cranberry & nut pilau. For dessert, Indian Carrot Fudge with brandy butter, or Indian milk ice cream with Tri Kulfi Bowl. Cocktails include Holi-Tini with gin, passionfruit liqueur and pineapple juice with tamarind and dragon fruit powder, or the Kaffir Negroni – an exotic twist on the Italian classic – gin based with bitter bianco, bergamot and kaffir lime leaf. https://namastevillage.co.uk/restaurants/oxford/
The wonderful Cranston Pickles is holding a seasonal supper club at Proof Social Bakehouse on December 12 with a casual four course menu! Everything on the menu is locally sourced, made from scratch and celebrates the British seasons, showcasing an array of CP’s pickles alongside other local producers fare. Your ticket includes all food for the evening plus a glass of fizz (complete with seasonal pickled fruit!) to get the pickle party started! 6.30pm – 9.30pm. £45. https://www.cranstonpickles.com/pickle-shop/p/pickled-supperclub-proof-social-bakehouse
Saturday, 13 December: Tap Social’s Xmas Beer Bash at its Botley Taproom – a festive all-day celebration of good beer, good cheer, tasty food, and live music. Four amazing guest breweries join Tap Social: BMAN Brewery (Oxford), Elusive Brewing (Berkshire), Siren Craft Brew (Berkshire) and Indie Rabble Brewing Co (Windsor). Small, family-run cheesemakers Marlow Cheese are serving mini-cheese boards and takeaway boxes, and to Dishoom Permit Room’s tasty hot teas. Tickets are £10 and include a festival glass to keep, access to loads of tasty beer, delicious sourdough Proof Pizza, fresh Proof social Bakehouse pastries, a festive brass band, and a few holiday surprises! Tickets: https://wegottickets.com/event/677957
Spend NYE at The Plough, West Hanney, which never disappoints and knows how to throw a damn good party. Enjoy a four course menu with a glass of fizz on arrival. Head chef Luke Mayor has copied a menu boasting dishes including a. celeriac veloute, smoked salmon tartare, braised short rib with horseradish béchamel and an iced vanilla parfait, with plenty of veggie/vegan options available too. Then the fun really kicks off with a DJ until the early hours and bacon sandwiches at 1am. £100 pp https://theploughathanney.co.uk/newyearseve/
Mollie’s Diner’s Holy Moly” Burger is amongst its retro-inspired festive menu packed with seasonal favourites .The maple fried turkey burger comes with sage and onion rings, cranberry sauce and turkey gravy. Or try the Gobbled Loaded Fries with turkey, sage and onion stuffing, cranberry ketchup, crispy onions and gravy mayo. Another #musthave is the Pig in Blanket Hot Dog with camembert cheese sauce, cranberry ketchup, mustard mayo and chives or the cinnamon bun milkshake. Until Dec 30 at the Buckland site. https://mollies.com/oxfordshire/
Tap Social’s Secret Speakeasy NYE Party! Tap Social Taproom, 6pm. 18+. Get ready to step into a smokey speakeasy as the taproom is transformed into the roaring ’20s! Harking back to the prohibition era, a time when breweries were outlawed and alcohol was illegal – it’s the perfect NYE setting. Fancy dress is of course encouraged – think suits & suspenders, old timer hats, flapper dresses, feathers, and pearls. Doors open at 6pm with early dance instruction from Swing Dance Summertown. Oxford Soul Revue DJs will then serve up prohibition classics and party tunes from 8pm-2am with refreshments including Tap’s award-winning criminally good beer, sourdough Proof Pizza, and cocktails. Tickets from £11 to £16.50. Book here https://wegottickets.com/event/681417/
Dishoom Permit Room Oxford is hosting a NYE knees-up with their best cocktails, plates and plates of food, and music to dance the night away to. Tickets cost £39.50 per person and include a four course set menu, a glass of fizz and access to the DJ’s tunes all night long. If you book your table from 9pm onwards you’ll have it all night long! Get ready for a flipping-magnificent celebration, Permit-room style. Book Here
The Feathers, Woodstock, New Year’s Eve – The Aviary is hosting a lavish New Years Eve party which includes a welcome glass of champagne on arrival, a second glass of champagne at midnight, late-night snacks and live music, priced at £75 per person. Overnight guests can also enjoy a delicious three course dinner in The Nest beforehand, making it the perfect countryside escape this festive season. https://www.feathers.co.uk/new-years-eve
Welcome the New Year at Gees, where handcrafted cocktails, Mediterranean flavours, and unforgettable entertainment set the stage for an electric evening. With its incredible plates, buzzing atmosphere, and stunning decorations, Gees is the ultimate spot to toast to 2025, and welcome 2026 in style.
Ring in the New Year with Darts, Dancing, and Bottomless Pizza at Flight Club in Oxford’s Westgate. The lively, fairground-inspired cocktail and Social Darts bar is hosting the ultimate New Year’s Eve bottomless brunch with DJs on the decks, and competitive fun from midday right through to 2 am. Dip in, dip out, or stay all day and night party designed to fit any NYE plan. Tickets start from £40 per person and include live DJs spinning tunes all day, flowing drinks, never-ending pizza and addictive, interactive Social Darts games, The perfect high-energy, low-stress way to kiss the old year goodbye and welcome the new one. Book Flight Club NYE tickets here.
Elf film screening with a gingerbread decorate-along, Sunday, 14 December, Tap Social Taproom. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, so join in at Tap Social Taproom where you’ll find a screening of the classic Xmas movie, with freshly baked gingerbread from Proof Social Bakehouse on hand for decorating. Tickets are £5 for the film, and there will be gingerbread decorating packs available to purchase on the day from the bar! https://wegottickets.com/event/683825/
Killingworth Castle’s 2025 Festive Set Menu. Go all out at the award-winning pub and its new head chef Edward Dutton. Delicacies include canapes, Jerusalem artichoke soup with pickled trompette, truffle, Orkney scallop, cauliflower mushroom, mushroom dashi, roast crown of partridge, leg sausage roll, Savoy cabbage, chestnut or Celeriac and truffle wellington, remoulade, mushroom cream, an apple and hazelnut tart fin, quince, vanilla ice cream or warm chocolate tart, Guinness ice cream for £75 per person.
Spend Christmas Day and Boxing Day at Orwells in Binfield. The CHRISTMAS DAY MENU involves 10 courses kicking off with canapés and an aperitif, breads and dishes such as beef cheek croquette, roasted orkney scallop, celeriac & winter truffle pithivier. Then choose from roast Norfolk bronze turkey, roast goose, beef fillet wellington, venison loin served with pigs in blankets, parsnip purée & roast carrot with roast potatoes, seasonal greens and sauces. There is then an optional cheese course, a palate cleanser of blood orange sorbet & cardamom panna cotta, followed by a chocolate & hazelnut, Nutella ice cream & crème anglais and petit fours. £180 per person. Wine Flight £75 per person. Or head down on Boxing Day from 12 noon – 4pm for some amazing Orwells Fish & Chips. https://orwellsrestaurant.com/christmas-day-2025
Step into Quod on New Year’s Eve on Oxford’s High Street. Dine on creative dishes and sparkling cocktails for a memorable evening, before the guest DJ plays an eclectic mix of soul, jazz, funk, disco, original R&B, and blues as the clock counts down to 2026. https://quod.co.uk/private-dining-and-events/new-years-eve/
Christmas Day at The Old Parsonage. Gather friends, family, or colleagues for a memorable feast. Dine in the elegant restaurant or the intimate Pike Room, the seasonal menu features classics like Norfolk bronze turkey and Christmas pudding with brandy cream – a wonderful setting for every festive occasion enjoyed against the cosy glow of a crackling fire in its 17th-century fireplace. VIEW THE PARSONAGE GRILL CHRISTMAS DAY MENU
