What’s on this week in Bucks & Oxon

THEATRE

Margot’s Magical Winter Wonder Party arrives at Pegasus Theatre from this Saturday (18 Dec) until the night before Christmas Eve – a great, relaxed option for families with young children from Filskit Theatre.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit School of Rock opens at Oxford New Theatre from today (13 Dec) until New Year’s Day – and a decidedly righteous time it is, too.

Over at the MK Theatre, Britain’s Got Talent‘s favourite dance group Diversity will be doing backflips and climbing beanstalks in their Christmas pantomime Jack and The Beanstalk until 8 Jan. See the rest of our top panto picks here. 

FESTIVE FUN

Tickets to see Santa are a hot commodity right now, so if you need a last-minute option there are spots to see Farmer Christmas (not a typo!) at Green Dragon Eco Farm in Hogshaw, Bucks available this weekend (18-19 Dec).

Slots to meet Father Christmas might have sold out over at Whipsnade Zoo, but your little ones can still learn about reindeer and give ‘gifts’ to the animals at their Santa Paws is Coming to Town on 18-19 Dec.

Bletchley Park is putting on some Christmas specials this year including a lost toy trail, festive afternoon tea and grotto, plus there’s a festive drop-in codebreaking workshop 18-23 Dec suitable for children aged 7+, accompanied by an adult.

MUSEUMS

If you’ve had your fill of The Ashmolean‘s terrific Tokyo exhibition, don’t neglect their still excellent free offerings: one on Samurai gold in Tokugawa Japan (until 1 Jan), on Dante as the inventor of celebrity (until 9 Jan), and a quirky exhibit depicting dogs in the style of Ancient Greek pottery (until March). There are also free guided gallery tours during the weekend, so hop over this weekend (18-19 Dec) to get the insider scoop.

Between 18 Dec – 3 Jan there’s a Festive Favourites Family Trail at the Oxford Natural History Museum, a great way to get festive (and educated!) with the littl’uns. 

From 4 Dec – 23 Jan, it’s dance music central at the MK Gallery thanks to its free exhibition Sanctuary: The Unlikely Home of British Rave. Asking how an unsuspecting Milton Keynes warehouse become one of the UK’s largest and most beloved rave venues, this examines the pioneering nightlife history of the city.

There are still tickets available during Dec for Anish Kapoor’s exhibition, Painting at Modern Art Oxford. On until 13 Feb 2022, the exhibition has gained a lot of press for its raw and sometimes gory paintings tackling religion, violence and bodily functions…

MUSIC

Handel’s Messiah with Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra takes place this week on 16 Dec, for fans of the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’. Then the iconic Christmas at Christ Church, also Oxford, is back and better than ever, with four concerts spread across the 15 and 17 Dec. This is a really gorgeous selection of carols, Christmas music, and nostalgic festive readings — sure to put you in the seasonal mood. 

More festive options…

Christmas markets in Bucks & Oxon18 lovely light trails in Bucks, Oxon, and beyondSkates on! 13 nearby ice rinks to visit this winter

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