Christmas
Christmas: a very short introduction
The festive period is a busy time for most people in the UK, and it is often a time when people spend time with their families or close friends and eat specially prepared meals and exchange gifts. Many people celebrate Christmas as a Christian festival, and Oxford's churches will be holding concerts and services across the season. It has also become a secular cultural festival here in the UK with lots of parties, markets and carol singing.
Traditionally, the Christmas period is a time when people are encouraged to consider how they can share what they have and be more generous with people who are disadvantaged. However, it has also become a very commercial festival in the UK and the shops can get very busy around this time (especially the Westgate Centre and the Covered Market!) Be aware that public transport may be affected during this time so it is best to check this before you travel. Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for details about UK train travel, and look at the Transport section of this website for more information about local transport.
What’s open?
Most shops and public buildings such as museums will be open every day except Christmas Day (25th Dec) and New Years Day (1st Jan). However, many shops will have reduced opening hours on Christmas Eve (24 Dec), Boxing Day (26 Dec) and New Year's Eve (31 Dec). Remember to buy enough food before Christmas Day as many places will be closed for a few days! Most museums and art galleries will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. With all public buildings it is best to call ahead, or visit their website to find out exactly when they are open over the Christmas holidays. There are several public parks in Oxford and they are great spaces for children and adults to enjoy the winter weather (especially if it snows).
HOST UK
HOST links international students at UK universities with friendly approved hosts who offer an invitation to their home for a day, a weekend, or at Christmas. Visit their website to find out more.
Christmas Dinner With A Community
JOIN A COMMUNITY FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER
If you are an international student planning to stay in Oxford over Christmas and have no particular plans, contact Host UK , and they will seek to put you in touch with a host family.
Festive Activities
Christmas at Blenheim Palace
(Friday 14th November 2025 - Saturday 3rd January 2026)
Christmas at Waddesdon
(22 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026, Wed – Sun (plus Mon 22, Tue 23, Mon 29 & Tue 30 Dec) (excludes 25 – 26 Dec)
The Covered Market
(Year-round)
Santa’s Grotto at the Oxford Castle
(29 November - 31December)
Christmas Trees & Christmas Markets
Get a Tree
Appleton Christmas Barn, Appleton
Bunkers Hill Nursery, Kidlington
Fir Tree Farm Christmas Tree Farm
The Garden
Norcutts Garden Centre
Oxford Sea Cadets, Donnington Bridge
The Tree Barn, Christmas Common, Watlington
Waterperry Gardens, Wheatley
Christmas Markets
Broad Street
22nd November – 31st December 2025 (open daily except for the 25th December)
Waddesdon Manor Christmas Market
(Wed – Sun, 22 Nov – 14 December)
Waterperry Gardens Christmas Market
(Saturday 6 - Sunday 7 December)
Build your own Christmas
In the UK many people spend Christmas Day preparing a special meal which is eaten around lunchtime. Some people go to a service in the morning and reserve opening gifts until after coming home. Others play special games and turn on the television to hear the Queen’s Speech at 3pm! In the evening people watch festive films or sit around sharing stories. This year, why not get together with other students and build your own Christmas Day, adding your own rituals and traditions from your culture! Make your own gifts or cards Save money and get creative by making your own gifts! If there are a few of you, why not try organising a ‘Secret Santa’? This is where you all get given the name of another person in the group to buy or make a gift for! You can agree to only spend a few pounds or to all make a present instead of buying one.
Non-alcoholic spiced punch
Place 1 pint orange juice in a saucepan with 1 pint apple juice, half a teaspoon of ginger and mixed spice. Take an orange and push a few cloves into the orange and place that in the mixture with a broken cinnamon stick. Simmer over a low heat for 5 minutes and serve!
Make your own traditional Christmas cracker!
Christmas crackers were first invented by a British sweet shop owner called Tom Smith in the 1840’s. They are a fun way to start or end a meal together and usually contain paper hats, jokes or small gifts! To learn how to make yours by hand visit the websites below: How to make christmas crackers or Christmas crackers (BBC).
Gingerbread Christmas Decorations
Preheat your oven to Gas Mark 4 (160C) then mix 75g butter and 50g caster sugar. Add 2 egg yolks, half a teaspoon bicarbonate of soda and 50g golden syrup. Add 250g plain flour and a teaspoon ground ginger and ground cinnamon. Mix it all together. Divide the mixture into 2 balls, knead the dough and put it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Remove the dough after this time and roll it out using a rolling pin to a thickness of 1 cm. Using a cookie cutter, (or a knife!) cut out your gingerbread shapes Make a small hole at the top for a ribbon to go through. Place them on a greased baking tray and cook for 10 minutes. Be careful not to leave them hanging on the tree too long as they will go stale!