There is so much going on this summer in Oxfordshire we have compiled a quick guide to help you enjoy the holidays. And with something for all ages and persuasions, you’ll be kept busy all summer long. In chronological order:
HERE BE DRAGONS, THE STORY MUSEUM, until July 2025. Join the heroes of Cressida Cowell’s How To Train Your Dragon series as they guide you safely through the realms of Earth, Air, Fire and Water to learn more about this diverse range of mythical creatures, pick up plenty of tips and tricks on dragon etiquette, hone your dragon training skills, meet some fearsome foes as well as some faithful friends. Co-curated by Cressida Cowell and Toothless. www.storymuseum.org.uk/explore/the-treasure-chamber
Creation’s Treasure Island until Aug 17, South Lawn, Wycliffe Hall. Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum! Get set for an extraordinary voyage of discovery! Expect pirates, sea shanties, swashbuckling and skirmishes. Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 classic is brought to life with theatrical magic for all the family. BOOK HERE
Creation Theatre’s As You Like It, Wycliffe Hall, 24 July – 17 August. An unforgettable evening of open-air theatre as Lucy Pitman-Wallace, the award-winning director of productions for the RSC, brings a fresh twist to Shakespeare’s beloved comedy by transporting audiences back to the 1970s, the era of peace, love, and endless summer nights. Bring friends and family, pack a picnic, and get ready to be transported to a world where romance and revelry reign supreme. https://creationtheatre.co.uk/show/as-you-like-it-2024/
Books & Bugs Summer Family Fun, Weston Library. Every Thursday until 29 August 10.30am – 1pm. Drop in for crafts, bug books, stories bug making, printing and more. Free, no booking required. www.glam.ox.ac.uk
Didcot Garden Party – Saturday July 27 to Saturday August 31. Enjoy a series of exciting events and activities taking place across Didcot and its surrounding villages. From theatre shows, to live music and community-events for both children and adults, and all completely free! From The Crew, a swash-buckling family show on the high seas to craft workshops a rather Naughty Flock of Sheep, making mischief Live Music with DJ Strange, live music, puppetry and physical comedy in Quentin Blake’s Mrs Armitage on Wheels, aerial acrobatics with physical comedy in The Guy in the Luggage Rack the chilled grooves of The Funkinsteins, a Spanish acoustic, Latin, Rumba and Bossa Nova fusion in The Flamenco Thief, or try the Open Mic Night. Plus Fusion Fest, an electrifying celebration of global cultures in the local community, and Communities Come Together Day
Wildlife Watch, Museum of Natural History,August 5, 12, 19, 1.30pm – 3.30pm. Pick up a Jurassic backpacks full of fun and fossils. www.glam.ox.ac.uk
Summer Family Days, Harcourt Arboretum, 28 August 11am – 3pm. Venture in for trails, tours and crafts for all. www.glam.ox.ac.uk
The King of Reggae, The Man – The Music , Oxford Playhouse, Friday August 2 – Saturday 3 August. Let’s Get Together and Feel Alright’ as Rush Theatre Company celebrate the iconic Bob Marley. Enjoy songs like One Love, No Woman No Cry and Is This Love played live on stage by the incredible King of Reggae Band, as they tell the remarkable story of the man who brought Reggae music to the world. Age guideline: 11+ https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/the-king-of-reggae-the-man-the-music
The Mikado, Heath Farm, Chipping Norton, August 3 & 4. Set in Ancient Rome in Opera Anywhere’s ingenious new production, “The Emperor of Rome” is a sparklingly clever story with twists and turns at every scene. Familiar characters, including the Lord High Executioner, Koko and Nanki-Poo, find themselves in a new setting as they compete for the hand of Yum Yum, whilst trying not to fall foul of the emperor’s displeasure and lose their head! With well-known songs including “I’ve got a little list”, “Three little maids from school” and many more, sing along on this hilarious journey. https://www.chippingnortontheatre.com/events/the-mikado-heath-farm
Body Politic Summer Camp, Pegasus, 5-9 August – a week of fun, fitness, dance and creativity for ages 7-11yrs alongside Fusion Arts and Project PT for five days of hip hop dance, fitness, boxing sessions, t-shirt designing, and a special end-of-week performance. With lunch/tea and snacks provided. The dance sessions are led by Body Politic artists, who teach new dance routines, improve technique and help choreograph the week performance. Project PT; an inclusive local gym will provide boxing, lifting and sport skills classes.
MYCO’s Chess The Musical, Oxford Playhouse, Fri 9 & Sat 10 Aug – reconvened after Covid and lockdowns cancelled the previous showing, many of the principals and ensemble from the original production have reunited alongside current members to bring this semi-staged version to Oxford, with its dazzling score featuring well-known hits I Know Him So Well, One Night in Bangkok and Anthem. Considered by many to be one of the best musicals ever written, the powerful rock opera features lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus from ABBA. Age guideline: 8+ https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/chess-the-musical
Wonders of Our Universe, Saturday August 10, The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury. Embark on a captivating cosmic voyage that invites you to delve into the mysteries of the universe. Explore celestial wonders from distant galaxies to enigmatic black holes, brought to life through cutting-edge animation, a stunning soundtrack and a live presenter to ignite your curiosity about space, time, and the origins of life. An unforgettable experience for all the family. https://www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/wonders-universe-aug/
The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Oxford Playhouse, Wed 14 – Sun 18 Aug. A musical play adapted and directed by David Wood, based on the book by Judith Kerr comes direct from the West End. So join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos. Age 3+ https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/the-tiger-who-came-to-tea-2
The Pantaloons present Robin Hood, Saturday August 17, The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury. Join utter legends Robin, Marian and the Merry Men in Sherwood Forest for a hilariously adventurous take on the timeless tales of everyone’s favourite archer. Pernicious Prince John and the shifty Sheriff of Nottingham have hatched a plan to put a stop to Robin Hood’s charitable crime spree once and for all. Can they outwit the outlaw? Or will Robin hit the target once again? Find out in the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons’ innovative take on the myth featuring live music and audience interaction. https://www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/robin-hood/
BIG FEASTIVAL, Kingham, August 23 – 25. Perhaps the best music line-up ever at this epic Oxfordshire festival with headliners Becky Hill, Snow Patrol And Ministry Of Sound. Throw in chefs Raymond Blanc and Andi & Miquita Oliver, a huge family entertainment programme, comedy, food, dancing, a fairground and so much more and you’ll have a weekend to remember. Tickets on sale now at www.thebigfeastival.com
Situated Ecologies, Clarendon Centre, 24 August – 1 September. Modern Art Oxford is taking over the Clarendon Centre for nine days and creating a joyful space to reflect, socialise and get creative, daily from 11am – 5pm, with specially curated workshops every day. From dance to sensory play and map making, celebrate the end of summer with free collaborative activities for all ages. Free, drop in. Guest artists and curators include Fig Studio, Farwa Moledina, Helen Edwards, and Jane Castree with a series of exciting new commissions. https://www.modernartoxford.org.uk/whats-on/situated-ecologies
Beth Neilson Chapman, The Theatre, Chipping Norton, August 27 – the American singer-songwriter, whose diverse body of work spans 15 albums and seven no 1 hits, is taking you on a journey through the depth, humour and wonder of life, via breast cancer and a brain tumour, through her latest album, 2022’s ‘CrazyTown’. Her compositions have been recorded by Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, the Indigo Girls, and Keb Mo’ to name a few, with ‘This Kiss’ sung by Faith Hill garnering her a Grammy nomination. She was Nashville NAMMY’S 1999 Songwriter of the Year and inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame in 2016. https://www.chippingnortontheatre.com/events/beth-nielsen-chapman
Shark in the Park, Thursday August 29, The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury. Timothy Pope is looking through his telescope – but wait, is that a Shark, in the Park!? From the creative team behind ‘The Hairy Maclary show’ and ‘You Choose’ – see all three of Nick Sharratt’s ‘Shark in the Park’ books live on stage! https://www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/shark-park/
About Time, History of Science Museum, 29 August 2 – 4pm. Make your own sundial and discover fascinating objects to do with time. Free, no booking required www.glam.ox.ac.uk
Pinocchio, Saturday August 31, Oxford Playhouse – Three very funny men seek refuge in a grand but abandoned old house; one of them is Pinocchio and it turns out he’s had quite a life! Combining classic elements of the original story – a poor woodcarver, the tell-tale growing nose, the dream of becoming a real boy – with Stuff and Nonsense’s hallmark hilarity expect skilled puppetry, original music, fantastic staging, outstanding performers, and extraordinary physical tricks. Age guideline: 3+
Ashmolean Adventure, Ashmolean, ongoing, Share a family adventure as you explore some of the Ashmolean’s most intriguing objects with this fun interactive digital guide for families – an exciting way to explore some of the Museum’s most intriguing objects through a variety of multimedia activities. Play games and quizzes, enjoy sounds and stories, try out your design and drawing skills – each activity is different because each object is different!
