Local events in 2026 you can attend while staying at Worton Park

Oxfordshire is a county that truly comes alive with the seasons. There’s always something to see, taste, or experience whether you’re a lover of art, music, history, or simply the great outdoors.

In this guide, we’ll take you through month-by-month, weekend-by-weekend events you can attend in 2026, showcasing festivals, parks and estates, sport events, and cultural experiences.

Plan your weekends around literary celebrations in March, Easter festivities in spring, music festivals in July and August, and autumn harvests and festive winter light switch-ons later in the year. There’s something for everyone, no matter when you choose to visit.

All Year Round:

Alongside seasonal events, Oxfordshire hosts markets every month throughout the year so there’s always something to enjoy whenever you visit.

1st and 3rd Saturday of every month

Every Friday and Saturday

4th Friday of every month

Woodstock Farmers Market

Kidlington Market

Witney Farmers Market

January

January is a quiet time in Oxfordshire and the UK as a whole, perfect for winter walks, touring historic market towns and locations, and countryside traditions like lambing.

23rd - 28th January

7th - 14th January

31st January

Winter Lambing at Roves Farm

Blenheim Palace Restoration and Conservation Tours

Working with Light Photography at the Oxfordshire Museum

February

February brings half-term activities, early signs of spring, and lively local events as Oxfordshire slowly emerges from winter.

7th January - 14th February

7th January

14th February - 10th April

14th - 15th February

14th - 15th February

21stth - 22nd February

22nd February

28th February

Blenheim Palace Servants Tales

Inside the Oxford Town Hall

Blenheim Palace Blueprints of Power Exhibit

Ashmolean One World Festival

2026 Steam Days at Didcot Railway Centre

2026 Steam Days at Didcot Railway Centre

Snowdrop & Spring Plant Fair

Family Day at Science Oxford Centre, Headington

March

March is a month of culture and ideas in Oxford, with the famous literary festivals, World Thatre Day at Oxford Playhouse, New Theatre, and The North Wall, and rowing traditions on the River Thames.

4th - 7th March

14th March

21st - 29th March

27th March

The Torpids

Charlbury Farmers’ Market

Oxford Literary Festival

World Theatre Day

April

April celebrates spring in full bloom and the Easter weekend, with garden openings showcasing bluebells and fritillaries (Oxfordshire’s county flower), lively country fairs, and long countryside walks through the awakening landscapes.

3rd - 6th April

5th - 6th April

13th April

1st - 30th April

25th April

Easter at Blenheim Palace

Thame Country Fair

A Taste of Spring - banbury food festival

Waterperry Gardens Fritillary Season

Shakespeare’s Birthday Parade 2026

May

May is a joyful and colourful month of outdoor events and flower shows, with gardens at their best and long weekends ideal for exploring Oxfordshire’s villages and estates.

2nd - 4th May

8th - 18th May

10th May

16th - 25th May

23rd - 25th May

27th - 30th May

Blenheim Palace Jousting Tournament

Blenheim Palace Gifford Circus

Oxford Town and Gown 2026 (Bidwells Oxford 10k)

Oxford City Art Week

Blenheim Palace Food Festival

The Summer Eights

June

June brings a range of summer events including food festivals, craft festivals, sport days and cultural events

6th - 7th June

6th June

6th - 7th June

12th - 14th June

13th June

20th June

19th - 21st June

21st June

27th June - 4th July

26th - 27th June

28th June

29th June

Blenheim Palace Triathlon

Oxford Pride Day

Big Farm Vehicles Weekend at Millets

Handmade Oxford 2026

Banbury Show

Florence Park Festival (Flofest)

Blenheim Palace Flower Show

Bike Oxford

Blenheim Palace Festival

Thame Food Festival

Race for Life Oxford 2026

Cassington Bike Night

July

July marks the start of festival season, with music, food, and arts events filling Oxfordshire’s parks and countryside. From small local gatherings to large summer festivals, there’s something happening across the county for every warm summer evening.

30th - 5th July

4th July

4th July

10th July - 27th September

8th - 12th July

TBC

23rd - 26th July

30th July - 2nd August

16th July

Henley Royal Regatta

Alices Day

Eynsham Carnival

Blenheim Palace Life Through a Royal Lens Exhibition

Henley Festival

Charlbury Riverside Festival

Truck Festival, Steventon

Wildnerness Festival

Banbury Music Mix

August

August is peak festival time, featuring major music and food festivals, outdoor opera, family events and open-air celebrations set against Oxfordshire’s summer landscapes.

7th - 16th August

13th - 15th August

15th - 16th August

16th August

21st - 23rd August

28th - 30th August

29th - 1st August

31st August

Waterperry Opera Festival

Fairport's Cropredy Convention

City of Oxford Royal Regatta

Banbuty Food and Drink Festival

Rewind Festival South

The Big Feastival

Foodies Festival Oxford

Cowley Road Carnival

September

September offers a calmer pace with countryside events, food festivals, classic car showcases and perfect conditions for walking, cycling and exploring.

3rd - 6th September

7th - 8th September

5th September

3th - 14th September

TBC

17th - 20th September

19th September

26th - 27th September

Blenheim Palace Salon Prive

St Giles Festival

Moreton Show

Oxford Open Doors

Witney Feast

Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials

Oxford Canal Festival

Thame Food Festival

October

October brings autumn to the forefront with food and drink celebrations such as Oktoberfest, harvest festivals, and golden woodland walks, all capped off with Halloween festivities. Although many events have yet to be confirmed in advance of writing, there are already highlights to enjoy, including the Banbury Canal Fest and the Oxford Half Marathon.

3rd - 4th October

11th October

TBC

TBC

Banbury Canal Festival

Oxford Half Marathon

Oktoberfest

Halloween at Blenheim

November

November is a cosy, atmospheric month, beginning with Bonfire Night celebrations and moving into festive cheer with Christmas lights switch-ons and seasonal markets later in the month. While few events have fixed dates, you can always rely on Blenheim Palace, Oxford, and the surrounding villages to put on stunning displays.

December

December is a magical month, filled with festive markets, Christmas light displays, seasonal food and drink, and winter events across Oxford, Blenheim Palace, and the surrounding villages. Even before the big celebrations, the county is full of cosy, atmospheric spots perfect for exploring, shopping, and enjoying the holiday spirit.

This guide really only scratches the surface of all the incredible things happening in the local area with more events being planned for 2026 as we speak. We hope you find this guide helpful and that it inspires you whether you’ve already booked and are looking for weekend activities, or are deciding the best time of year to visit us in 2026. Please keep in mind they all subject to change and you should check the relevant event websites for the full information.

After a day of festivals, garden walks, or cultural adventures, you can return to the comfort of our peaceful Oxfordshire holiday cottages. With a range of properties to suit different group sizes, get in touch and let us help you plan a truly memorable stay.