Summer Cultural Events in Oxfordshire 2025
Summer Cultural Events in Oxfordshire 2025
As summer unfolds across Oxfordshire, the county comes alive with vibrant festivals, outdoor concerts, heritage traditions, and food-filled weekends. Here’s a curated look at the best cultural events still to come this season.
Blenheim Palace Flower Show (27th –29th June, Blenheim Palace)
This three-day horticultural extravaganza unfolds within the spectacular grounds of Blenheim Palace. With garden inspiration from top designers, floral displays, plant shopping, and expert talks, it’s a must-visit for garden lovers. Families can enjoy entertainment and food stalls, while the palace backdrop adds a touch of grandeur to every moment.
World Aunt Sally Championship (28th June, Charlbury)
For something truly local and quirky, head to Charlbury for the World Aunt Sally Championship, held during the town’s beer festival. The game, once played in pubs across Oxfordshire, involves throwing sticks at a wooden “doll” perched on a stand. It’s a nostalgic nod to Oxfordshire’s traditional pub culture and offers great fun for competitors and spectators alike.
Henley Royal Regatta (1st - 5th July, Henley-on-Thames)
An iconic fixture of the British summer calendar, the Henley Royal Regatta combines high-level rowing competition with a refined social scene. Visitors can enjoy picnics along the River Thames, elegant dress codes, and Champagne bars while watching world-class athletes race in traditional wooden boats. It’s a quintessentially English experience, perfect for soaking up summer style and tradition.
Battle Proms Concert (5th July, Blenheim Palace)
Held on the South Lawn of Blenheim Palace, the Battle Proms is a dazzling evening of classical music, cavalry displays, aerial flyovers, and fireworks. Guests are encouraged to bring picnics, and many dress for the occasion with Union Jacks and vintage attire. It’s an immersive, patriotic spectacle celebrating British musical and military heritage.
Waterperry Gardens (8th August - 17th August, Waterperry)
Nestled just outside Wheatley, Waterperry Gardens is this summer’s unexpected hive of culture, blending lush landscapes with dynamic performances and workshops. From 8th - 17th August, the Waterperry Opera Festival transforms the amphitheatre and historic house into a vibrant stage for five productions—from Mozart's Don Giovanni and Handel’s Semele to the family-friendly Winnie‑the‑Pooh’s Songbook—alongside a celebratory “Last Night at the Opera,” intimate “Young Artist Gala” concerts, picnicking amid Garden Glade serenades, and hands-on crafts in the orangery. But the garden’s cultural season doesn’t stop there: earlier in July you can catch Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night under the open sky, wander family craft trails inspired by Alice in Wonderland or Treasure Island, hear summer choral music, and enjoy Moonrakers concerts in the amphitheatre—making Waterperry a true all‑round creative retreat.
Truck Festival (24th - 26th July, Steventon, Hill Farm)
Now one of the UK’s best-loved independent music festivals, Truck Festival offers a more intimate, homegrown vibe. Set on a working farm near Abingdon, it celebrates indie, rock, and dance music with past headliners including Foals and Bombay Bicycle Club. Food trucks, silent discos, and local beers round out the family-friendly atmosphere, making it ideal for both young festivalgoers and seasoned fans.
Wilderness Festival (31st July – 3rd August, Cornbury Park)
A boutique arts and music festival like no other, Wilderness takes place in the lush forests and lakes of Cornbury Park. The 2025 line-up features genre-spanning music, world-class chefs serving banquet-style feasts, lakeside yoga, wellness sessions, wild swimming, and late-night revelry in the woods. From talks on philosophy to firelit dance floors, Wilderness blends hedonism with intellectual curiosity and natural beauty.
Fairport’s Cropredy Convention (8th –10th August, Cropredy)
This long-standing folk-rock festival takes place in the quaint village of Cropredy and is curated by Fairport Convention themselves. The intimate crowd size (usually capped at around 6,000) makes for a relaxed and welcoming environment, with additional fringe gigs in local pubs and plenty of Morris dancing. For those who love timeless music and English tradition, Cropredy is a summer highlight.
Foodies Festival Oxford (23rd – 24th August, South Park, Oxford)
Returning to Oxford’s South Park, the Foodies Festival is a paradise for gastronomes. Across two delicious days, visitors can watch live demos from celebrity chefs, taste artisan delicacies, enjoy live music, and sip cocktails or wine in the sun. Family-friendly features like kids' cookery sessions and street food markets ensure something for every appetite and age.
These events reflect the spirit and diversity of Oxfordshire in summer—from stately traditions and outdoor music to quirky games and artisan food. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a countryside escape, or a full festival weekend, the county offers unforgettable cultural experiences throughout the season.
Thinking of making Oxfordshire your home?
If the vibrant culture, countryside charm, and community spirit of these summer events have inspired your next move, we’d love to help. As experienced property buying agents, we specialise in finding the right homes—on and off the market—for clients across Oxfordshire. Whether you're relocating, upsizing, or searching for something truly special, get in touch to see how we can support your search from start to finish