*Look for our Child Friendly Events (blue background)
What's On This Month?
Saturday 03 July - Sunday 04 July
Cowley Road Carnival
One of the South East’s biggest outdoor community events, Cowley Road Carnival takes place in South Park and on Cowley Road on 3rd - 4th of July. The event, which celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of the city, is a highlight of the summer every year, with music, food and drink, workshops, street performers, and a procession. The whole of East Oxford will be abuzz, with special events and features to suit a range of tastes and ages.
In the meantime, follow the carnival on twitter: @CowleyCarnival
This year, Talent Oxford, Oxfordshire’s leading talent contest for county schools, has become an official partner for the Cowley Road Carnival. The sixteen finalists of Talent Oxford 2010 will give performances on the Carnival stages in South Park, participate in the Procession, and take part in various happenings during the two-day event. Talent Oxford celebrates the diverse and vibrant talent found in Oxfordshire’s school children and the finalists will cover a wide range of performance styles, from dance and music to comedy and martial arts. Talent Oxford will also have a presence in South Park over the weekend as a focal point for the contest.
Saturday 3rd July
Music Concert: Carnival sounds and bands perform in South Park (ticketed).
Sunday 4th July
On Cowley Road (road to be closed to traffic):
Breakfast Party
Organised ‘Wacky Races’ and Procession
Music sound systems
Street performers
Cowley Road traders’ stalls
In South Park:
Carnival Procession involving local schools and community groups
Two stages – Dance Stage and Music Stage
Roving performers
Family creative workshops
Food & drink traders, stalls for community groups and charities
About Talent Oxford:
Oxfordshire’s biggest and best schools talent contest, Talent Oxford auditions are being held on 8-9 May at The Oxford Castle Unlocked with 200 acts registered. 16 acts will be selected to go through to The Grand Final on 2nd October at Headington Theatre, where five acts and their schools will be awarded a variety of great prizes. Please visit the Talent Oxford website for more information.
Sunday 04 July
Birmingham to Oxford Bike Ride
Come and join Birmingham’s biggest bike ride and help raise vital funds for the Jennifer Trust for Spinal Atrophy.
From the start at Solihull Sixth Form College the route follows beautiful country lanes across the Cotswold Hills to the finish at Oxpens Meadows, where you’ll be welcomed in with refreshments, music and a beer tent.
Sunday 04 July
London to Oxford Bike Ride
A great Summer’s day cycling from London through the Chilterns to Oxford in aid of CLIC Sargent.
Starting from Walpole Park in Ealing, we stop at Fulmer and Burnham Beeches then have lunch by the river at Marlow before climbing to Christmas Common and Chalgrove on the way to the finish at Oxpens Meadows, where the welcome will include music, refreshments and a beer tent.
Sunday 04 July
Big Danc’in Oxford: A Dancing Picnic in the Park
The world’s biggest and most influential dance initiative is coming to Oxford next month. Our aim is to take dance out of the stuffy, confined studio walls and set it free in the big outdoors…
On Sunday 4th July, in collaboration with the renowned Cowley Road Carnival, Big Dance is hosting exciting event s throughout the day and there are still chances for you to get involved and be a part of the phenomenon…
This is a wonderful opportunity to dance in collaboration with the landscape – to explore your surroundings and to create an innovative piece of site-specific work! Renowned choreographer and dance artist Cecilia Macfarlane has been commissioned to create a piece of work in the peaceful surroundings of Headington Hill Park. We are looking for people with some (any) dance experience, and asking you to come with a friend/family/neighbour of any age who may not yet have dance experience. Together you will have the opportunity to dance, make music, make costumes and props and perform in this enchanting site-specific work.
We have musician Malcolm Atkins and artist Kay Sentence who are joining the project to collaborate with us on making a fun and playful piece which will include all the ingredients for a really good picnic!
The Schedule*:
2.30 – 5.30 Saturday 19th June , 2.30 – 5.30 Sunday 20th June
2.30 – 5.30 Saturday 26th June , 2.30 – 5.30 Sunday 27th June
2.30 – 5.30 Saturday 3rd July Dress Rehearsal
5.30 – 7.30 Sunday 4th July Warm up and Performance
*All dates are in the park, regardless of the weather.
Friday 09 July
River pilgrimage walk at Alice’s Shop
River pilgrimage walk, leaving from outside Alice’s Shop at 7pm
A FREE 90-minute, 2-mile upstream pilgrimage following the route of the famous rowing trip of 4 July 1862 towards Godstow, where the phenomenon of ‘Alice’ had its birth. Starting near the site of the original ancient ‘Oxenford’, the river towpath passes remnants of Oxford’s industrial past, before a largely rural route encompasses a river lock, the site of Osney Abbey (inspiration for one of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales), and a Victorian bathing spot near the junction with the Oxford Canal. This is followed by the extraordinary expanse of Port Meadow, where lies the hamlet of Binsey (and The Perch Inn), where the walk ends. Binsey’s diminutive church and ’treacle well’ - the destination, like Osney and Godstow, of countless pilgrims of the past – is a short distance away; guidance is unnecessary, but can be arranged if desired.
7.00 pm
Friday 09 July - Sunday 11 July
Kill for a Seat Isis Comedy Festival
Chris Ramsey, Josie Long, Ray Peacock & Robin Ince at a brilliant venue over the weekend of 9th July. Tickets will be available from the venue shortly, but are already on sale at Ticketweb.
We’ll be at The Isis Tavern. You can’t get there by car: you’ll have to walk down the riverbank from Donnington Bridge, or up from Iffley Lock, but either will only take about 5 minutes. The booze is great, the food is lovely, but please note WE DON’T TAKE CARDS…
Saturday 10 July
Alice’s Day 2010
A brillig - and free - family day out! At more than 12 historic locations in Oxford.
In the year in which a new version of Alice in Wonderland hits the silver screen, Alice’s Day 2010 explores old and new interpretations of Lewis Carroll’s work. Children and adults alike will find plenty of frabjous fun in a colourful day of Alice-related activities, from promenade performances and storytelling to book signing, walks, talks, exhibitions and live music. Back by popular request will be acrobatic and amusing Wonderland characters brought vividly to life in unexpected places, including a ghost forest outside the Natural History Museum. Curious Company, who were a hit at the first-ever Alice’s Day, will be captivating children and adults alike with their colourful entertainment.
This year sees more events for grown-ups, with or without children. Salvador Dali’s surreal take on Alice is revealed in a special exhibition in Oxford University’s historic Bodleian Library and the city also welcomes Swedish composer Kristian Scheiblecker who will be performing his new musical interpretations of Lewis Carroll’s poetry. Lectures by the Lewis Carroll Society include Carroll and Surrealism, Alice and Waterland and The DNA of the Dodo – and there’s a special performance of a play, The Real Alice, in the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.
Alice’s Day is brought to life by the Story Museum in partnership with local businesses, museums and arts organisations. More than a dozen historic venues will host exhibitions and activities across the city. Join in the fun – bring a picnic and wear fancy dress if you can. Nearly all events are free. Keep up to date with latest information at http://www.thestorymuseum.org.uk.
10 am - 7 pm
Sunday 11 July
C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Guided Walking Tour
Two highly popular university lecturers and authors, friends J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, wrote some of the most popular books of the 20th century. Share the environment in which they studied, lived and spent their leisure time in their beloved Oxford. Adult £7.50 / Senior £7.50 / Child £4.00
13.30
Thursday 15 July - Sunday 18 July
Art in Action
Come to the biggest arts festival of its kind in Europe, when more than 200 artists take over the Waterperry estate. Art in Action gives visitors a unique chance to watch artists demonstrating their skills and even have a go themselves in our hugely popular practical classes. Please note Waterperry Gardens and plant centre will be closed to all but Art in Action visitors during this event.
Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry, Near Wheatley, Oxford, OX33 1JZ
10.00 am - 5.30 pm
Saturday 17 July
Battle Proms Concert
The ever-popular Battle Proms at Blenheim Palace is the ultimate summer event, with something for everyone: a stunning setting, rousing classical favourites, breathtaking spitfire fly-over, bold cavalry and infantrymen, and of course the thunderous cannons and fireworks! visit website below for tickets and further information.
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
Saturday 24 July
Brocante
Vintage and new clothes; scarves, wraps, throws and bags; old French linens; beautiful ceramics; and a potpourri of interesting miscellany! Plus delicious speciality coffee from The Perfect Cup at the Pop Up Café. Entrance £2. Homemade cakes, jams, and sweets to benefit Sue Ryder Care. At 14 St. John Street, Oxford. For more information ring 01865 202 443 or email ginac@dircon.co.uk.
10 am - 5 pm
Saturday 24 July
Stained Glass Guided Walking Tour
The city of Oxford holds one of the finest collections of Stained Glass in the UK. Almost every style and period of English glass-painting is represented, from Gothic to modern times including beautiful 17th century windows and a wealth of 19th century glass particularly by William Morris and Co. Enjoy the opportunity of seeing some fascinating craftsmanship. Bring your binoculars!
Oxford Tourist Information Centre
13.30
