Christmas Fair

Download the Christmas Fair programme
 

Our Christmas Fair returns to Oxford Botanic Garden for two days of festive shopping and entertainment. We are delighted to be joined by a variety of local craftspeople, suppliers, and producers, showcasing everything from vintage homewares and handmade linen to organic skincare and foodie gifts.

On Saturday 2 December, Fleur Stevenson will bring festive cheer to the Garden with Christmas favourites and jazz classics, and Natty Mark Samuels will present his interactive Guavaberry workshops, celebrating the flora of Caribbean and African folklore and the culinary pleasures of Christmas through music and festive games. On Sunday, Horns of Plenty will get your toes tapping with their lively tunes.

There’ll be plenty of delicious food and drink on offer from local suppliers and producers, including Spectacular Goat, Fallow & Field, Crafty Belle, Church Hanbrewery, and Jericho Coffee Traders. Our Conservatory Bar will be serving festive favourites including mulled wine.

Children can explore the Garden with our Christmas Pudding trail where they’ll learn about the fruits and spices of the festive season. They can also meet Mother Christmas in WhatNot Theatre's magical winter grotto where they can tell her all of their Christmas wishes and leave with a special sealed scroll. Plus, have a go at the Friends’ Tombola or find out all about mistletoe with the ‘MistleGO!’ survey project.

 

Admission Prices

 

   

Standard tickets

Standard - Adults (inc. OU staff and Annual Pass holders)   £8
Concession (all students, over-65s)   £7
Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden   £6
Under-16s, disabled visitors and accompanying carer   Free
Shopping

We are delighted to be joined by a variety of local craftspeople, suppliers, and producers for our Christmas Fair.

From sustainable knitwear, organic skincare and vintage homeware, to children's books, handmade linen, jewellery, baubles, and alcoholic gifts, there's something for every person on your gift list, including yourself!

christmas fair 2018 marquee
Food and Drink

We will have Spectacular Goat's wood-fired sourdough pizzas, Fallow & Field's gourmet hot dogs, burgers and veggie options, and Crafty Belle's fresh crepes on offer.

In our Conservatory Bar we will be serving festive favourites including mulled wine, and Church Hanbrewery will be selling their unpasteurised and unfiltered real ales. 

Our regulars Jericho Coffee Traders will be providing their usual range of local coffees, hot and cold drinks, and mince pies. 

jericho coffee
Entertainment and Activities

 

On Saturday, Fleur Stevenson will bring festive cheer to the Garden with Christmas favourites and jazz classics. On Sunday, Horns of Plenty will get your toes tapping with their lively tunes.

Fleur Stevenson jazz singer

Fleur Stevenson by Chun Wah Ng

On Saturday we're delighted to be joined by Natty Mark Samuels and his interactive Guavaberry workshops, celebrating the flora of Caribbean and African folklore through chants, spoken word and brain teasers, and exploring the culinary pleasures of Christmas through music and festive games.

Natty Mark Samuels

Natty Mark Samuels by Fisher Studios

You can explore the Garden with our Christmas Pudding trail, learning about the fruits and spices of the festive season, and DPhil student Oliver Spacey will be showcasing his 'MistleGo!' mistletoe survey project.

Children can visit WhatNot Theatre's magical winter grotto and meet Mother Christmas, who will hear all about their Christmas wishes. They will leave with a special sealed scroll to show their friends they met Mother Christmas!

 

 

Key Information
 

There is no parking at Oxford Botanic Garden. The nearest car park is St Clement's where there are a limited number of spaces.

We are well served by Oxford's buses - our nearest stops are Queen's Lane or The Plain.

  Your ticket allows you entry into the Fair, as well as the opportunity to explore the Garden and glasshouses. On Saturday, the Lower Garden will be closed when it becomes dark (~16:00).
  Dogs are not permitted at the Garden, with the exception of assistance dogs.
  Smoking (including vapes and e-cigarettes) is not permitted on site.
  No bicycles or scooters, please.