Tweet using #oxfordxmaslightnight to let us know what you will be getting up to at the event.
Lights Switch On
Christmas Light Night is the official Christmas light switch on for the City of Oxford. Taking place on Friday 2 December 2011 the event will comprise of two processions, late night opening of university museums, galleries and shops and a host of Christmas markets and festive activities.
The community lantern procession, made by children from local schools and community groups, will make its way through the historic streets of Oxford whilst the second parade organised by Oxford Contemporary Music is the second Unsilent Night promenade, a participatory musical extravaganza, which will travel through the streets of the city.
This year's Christmas Light Night will take place in St. Giles', a significantly larger space to accommodate this ever-growing event. St. Giles' will host the 'Switch on moment' from a stage that will also see a variety of performances from dance groups, musicians and choirs from around the city.
Spectacular Stage Line-up
This year our stage, in St Giles for the first time, will showcase performances from local and national dancers and musicians.
Presenters from BBC Radio Oxford will keep you entertained between the performances, as well as leading the countdown for the light switch on.
The exciting stage line-up programme kicks off at 5pm.
- 5pm – Dancin’ Oxford Showcase
- 6.25pm – Light Switch-On plus 12 Days of Christmas sing along
- 6.45pm – Out of the Blue
- 7.30pm – Dancin’ Oxford Showcase
- 8.30pm – CLC Gospel Choir
- 9.15pm – 9 Ton Peanut Smugglers
Visit the Oxford Inspires website for more information about the event.
Transport and Road Closures
The following roads will be closed to traffic for a maximum of 00:01 Friday 2 December until 04:00 Saturday 3 December 2011:
- St Giles', Magdalen Street East and Magdalen Street West in their entirety.
- Woodstock Road from its junction with St Giles' to its junction with St Margaret’s Road with access to frontage only up to Little Clarendon Street.
- Banbury Road from its junction with St Giles' to its junction with Parks Road.
- Beaumont Street from its junction with St Giles' to the junction with St John Road.
- All buses will be diverted as per St Giles' Fair.
- Queen Street will be closed between 18:00 and 22:00 to allow the safe movement of pedestrians associated with the procession.
- Cornmarket Street will be closed between 17:00 and 22:00.
Diversions
- All traffic for Jericho and West Oxford will be diverted via St Margaret's Road
- All traffic for East Oxford will be diverted via Parks Road
Parking and Bus Services
Visitors to the city will be able to park for free after 5.30pm in Westgate multi-storey car park. Parking is also available at Gloucester Green Underground Car Park, Worcester Street, Oxpens and Abbey Place, but charges will apply.
There will also be changes to the bus services on Christmas Night Light, similar to arrangements for St Giles’ Fair.
For more information visit:
Services that usually drop off on Magdalen Street East will drop off on the south side of Broad Street prior to Turl Street.
Buses that depart from Magdalen Street West will pick up on the north side of Broad Street outside Trinity College.
Stagecoach will be providing free travel for a number of the lantern procession participants.
Oxford Bus Company is offering free travel for children on City and Park and Ride services after 5pm (accompanied by a fare-paying or ticket-holding adult – up to three children per adult) for journeys in and out of Oxford city centre.
Visit our Christmas Light Night Transport news article for information about free parking at the Westgate car park, and changes to bus services.
Sir Roger Bannister and Lord Mayor to switch on Oxford's Christmas Lights
Sir Roger Bannister and Lord Mayor of Oxford Elise Benjamin will be switching on the Christmas Lights in Oxford this year as part of our countdown to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
What's On
Come and celebrate the arrival of the Christmas season in Oxford with a buzzing evening of processions, lights, dance, art, live music and street performance, all thrown together with a generous helping of festive cheer.
Christmas Light Night has become a regular fixture in the Oxford Christmas calendar attracting more than 20,000 revellers last year.
Highlights of this year’s event, which takes place on Friday 2 December will include the children’s lantern procession supported by MINI Plant Oxford, the St Giles’ Stage with live singing, dancing and celebrations, and Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night Promenade.
The event, which is one of Oxford’s largest community celebrations, also features late night openings of some of the city’s best loved cultural venues, offering local arts and cultural organisations, as well as community and voluntary groups, the chance to be involved.
The venues that are involved include Oxford Town Hall, Oxford Castle, 03 Gallery, Radcliffe Square, Gloucester Green, the Story Museum, Ashmolean Museum, Pitt Rivers Museum, Museum of the History of Science, The Bodleian Library, The Old Fire Station, St Ebbe’s, and St Michael at the North Gate Church.
The event will run this year from 5pm to 10pm with the lantern procession starting at the Old Fire Station in Gloucester Green at 6.15pm and the Christmas lights being switched on in St Giles at approximately 6.30pm.
At St Giles, there will be a display of poems that Oxford’s first City Poet, Kate Clanchy has been working on with over a hundred local children. They were encouraged to write on the theme of ‘light’ inspired by the Japanese forms of Tanka and Haiku. The display will be there from 5pm until 10pm.
In Gloucester Green from 6pm, FilmOxford’s Big Screen will be showing some of the latest films made by young people from all over the country. For more information visit the OFVM website.
The newly refurbished Old Fire Station will be opening its doors for the legendary Catweazle Club, a special one-off session showcasing some of Oxford’s finest musicians. You can also explore the newly redeveloped building and catch the last day of the Urban Art Exhibition. Tickets start at £5 and the show starts at 8.30pm. For more information visit the Old Fire Station website.
The Museum of Oxford and Town Hall will be open until 8pm and will be celebrating Christmas past and present. You will be able to visit Santa in his grotto, discover past Christmas traditions and try out some family arts and crafts activities.
There will also be the Green Fair taking place in the Main Hall which will be open for you to buy special Christmas presents as well as our new gift shop for unique Christmas presents. For more information visit the Museum of Oxford website.
OVADA will also be at the Town Hall until 9pm where you can discover diverse artworks by selected regional artists. OVADA will also showcase contemporary pieces including video, sound, installation and performance, designed to show the building’s heritage in a new light. For more information visit the OVADA website.
Oxford Castle will be open from 10am until 10pm and will be lit up with lanterns inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas. There will also be the popular Christmas Market with over 50 stalls from across Europe where you can buy presents as well as food and drink. The 03 Gallery will also be holding a special exhibition by Flora McLachlan. The Oxford Castle’s Unlocked will also be open on the night. For more information visit the Oxford Castle website.
Book a ticket for the opening night of Oxford Playhouse’s Christmas pantomime, Mother Goose. The show starts at 7pm and tickets cost from £12 to £22.50. For more information visit the Oxford Playhouse website.
Join the staff at the Oxford Hub in Turl Street for a candle-lit carol concert. The staff choir and special guests will entertain diners and drinkers with festive tunes from 7.30pm. For more information visit the Turl Street Kitchen website.
As part of Oxford Improviser’s fourth Cohesion Festival, you are invited to participate in the performance of a new work on the theme of boundaries at the Jacqueline Du Pre Music Building. A multi-layered piece celebrating the diversity of local music, Oxford Improvisers will be gathering sounds from all over Oxford, and creating a scratch orchestra and choir for anyone interested in joining. The performances take place at 4.45pm and 9.15pm. To take part in the performance of this work, contact: 01865 721564 / email cohesionfestival@gmail.com or visit the Oxford Improvisers website.
You can drop into Modern Art Oxford which will be open until 10pm (galleries until 7pm), to find a unique Christmas gift in the gallery shop. You can also enjoy a festive treat in the café and bar (15% off in the shop, plus a free glass of wine and mince pie with every purchase). For more information visit the Modern Art Oxford website.
The Story Museum will be open from 6pm until 7.30pm where you can gather around the Christmas tree in the courtyard for tales from storyteller Katy Cawkwell, including The Woman who Married the Moon and The Man who Followed a Star. Oxford Harmony and St Ebbe’s school choir will also be in the courtyard performing Christmas songs. For more information visit the Story Museum website.
Visit the Ashmolean Museum from 6pm until 10pm for an evening of music, dance and family fun. The Oxford Gospel Choir will perform in the atrium, and children’s activities will take place in the education studio. View the brand new galleries for Egypt and Sudan with special curator-led tours, or take a look at the museum’s Claude Lorrain exhibition, which will remain open throughout the evening. For more information visit the Asmolean Museum website.
The Bodleian Library will be open from 6.30pm until 8pm where you can view the most beautiful medieval buildings in Oxford at night time. You can explore the Divinity School, a masterpiece in English Gothic architecture, and enjoy entertainment in the 17th century Convocation House and Court. The Bodleian Library shop will also stay open late. Visit the Bodleian Library website for more information.
You can discover the importance of the number 12 at the Museum of the History of Science from 7pm until 10pm. Christmas may have 12 days but the number 12 is important in many other ways, from signs of the zodiac and months in the year, to hurricanes, inches and old pennies; dozens of things to learn and enjoy, with puzzles, talks, trails and films. For more information visit the Museum of the History of Science website.
The Pitt Rivers Museum will be open from 7pm until 10pm where you can explore the magical museum by torchlight, listen to live music and take part in Ugandan embaire (xylophone) taster sessions (limited spaces, tickets available on the night). Please note entry is by the South Door in Robinson Close, South Parks Road. For more information visit the Pitt Rivers Museum website.
Visit St Michael at the North Gate Church until 10pm which is Oxford’s oldest building where you can climb the Saxon Tower to get a great view of the festivities. The church will be open for quiet reflection in candle-lit spaces. Visit the St Michael at the North Gate Church website for more information.
St Ebbe’s Church will be open from 6pm with a special Advent Carol Service from 7pm until 7.45pm. Everyone is welcome to join in and sing traditional carols. Visit the St Ebbe's Church website for more information.
To find out more information about Christmas Light Night visit the Oxford Inspires website.
Christmas Light Night in Oxford is being co-ordinated by Oxford Inspires, Oxford City Council and Ian Nolan Events on behalf of communities and cultural organisations across the city.
More information - news releases
Page last reviewed 2 December 2011
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