Welcome to WinterLight! A sparkling selection of celebrations and special experiences to light up darkest midwinter across Oxfordshire, including Christmas events and other seasonal activities.

Look out for fire jugglers and fairground rides, Christmas markets and magical lantern processions, as Christmas lights are switched on across the county.

Take in a traditional pantomime, a concert by candlelight, or drop into Oxford’s WinterLight event on 28th November when the city’s museums, galleries, theatres and open spaces offer after-dark experiences from stargazing at the Museum of the History of Science to fire sculpture and festive fanfares in Bonn Square. The 28th of November also coincides with the switch on of Oxford's new Christmas lights.

Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council and town centre management company OX1 are working together to support the retail sector in the city in the run up to Christmas – and employing some unusual helpers to give Christmas shopping a boost.

A range of street performance and activities for children are set to keep yuletide shoppers amused and support local traders and venues on three December Saturdays (6, 13 and 20).

There’s even a real live reindeer, which will be making an appearance in the Westgate Shopping Centre on Sunday 21 December from 11am to 3pm.

A Snow Queen on stilts with tinkling icicles hanging from her fingers, an ice elf on stilts, angels on wheels and Christmas puddings are just some of the Christmas characters making an appearance on these family-friendly Saturdays.

A balloon sculptor and storytellers will be on hand for children who will also have the chance to win their Christmas wish list by popping it into a 'human postbox'.

Christmas ambassadors and a Town Crier will also be around with some 'rough' pocket guides to help visitors find out what's happening.

The guide will also be handed out to bus travellers. Extended late night shopping starts in December with both Westgate and Clarendon Centre shops opening until 10pm in some cases. For more information on late night openings, visit www.ox1.uk.com or download the poster here.

We are delighted to announce Kids Go Free! Oxford Bus Company is offering free travel after 6pm on November 28 to children aged 5-15 years, up to 3 children per adult. Children travelling solo pay normal fare. Applies only to local buses and Park and Ride. The Oxford Bus Company is also offering free travel from Park and Ride centres on select evenings during the Christmas shopping season. For information, click here or visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk.

This is the second WinterLight festival across Oxfordshire—created through partnerships between town and parish councils, Oxford City Council, community groups, local businesses, artists and cultural organisations and coordinated by Oxford Inspires.

WinterLight Oxford is supported by Arts Council England, Oxford City Council, Berman Guedes Stretton, First Great Western, Oxford Bus Company, Oxfordshire County Council and The Big Bang.