250 Christmases in the Covered Market

Oxford’s historic Covered Market is especially magical during the Christmas season, and this year marks an extra-special milestone—its 250th Christmas – and to mark the occasion, Oxford City Council has organised a programme of special festive events.

The market’s festive programme follows a year of commemorative events to mark this historic milestone, including:

  • series of anniversary posters
  • special 250th Easter Egg hunt
  • May Morning event, including folk music and early openings
  • pedestrian-friendly changes to Market Street and launch party
  • big birthday bash with live entertainment
  • dedicated 250th themed children’s market trail with Tiny Ideas Festival

Now, the market is ready for the final programme of anniversary events.

Breakfast with Santa
As part of the Christmas Lights Festival, Santa is back in the market’s central square on Saturday 16 November from 10am to midday! Following the success of last year’s event, the Council has called the North Pole and invited Santa back for a special morning. The event is free and will involve a roaming Santa. Please note, this is a meet and greet type event, it is not an organised photo session. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Late night Christmas shopping and carols
Kick off a festive weekend with some late-night shopping in the Covered Market on Friday 29 November. 30+ traders have already committed to staying open until 9pm, offering a wide selection of artisan gifts, decorations and produce. Once you’ve filled your bags, you can sit back and enjoy a tipple of your choice from one of the market’s bars.

Launch of 250th Christmas poster
The market recently launched the final in its series of special edition posters marking the historic year. The Christmas poster features market scenes from Christmases past, bringing a festive feel to the special design. The Council has worked with local designer Bigtop Design on the series and residents will be able to see the final version in bus stops and poster sites around the city.

Christmas tree of wishes for the market’s next 250 years
This year the market’s traditional Christmas tree also becomes a Christmas wish tree. People will be able to write their wishes for the next 250 years of the market and tie them to the tree.
The Council will round off this special year by celebrating the market’s official birthday with a cake-cutting ceremony. Event details will be available on the Covered Market and Oxford City Council social media channels.

More information about the Covered Market’s Christmas programme is available on the market’s website.

Comment
“For two and a half centuries, the Covered Market has been at the heart of Oxford’s festivities, evolving from simple provisions to unique gifts and now the vibrant experience we know and expect today.

“This year, as we come to the end of its special anniversary year, I’m pleased to see a festive programme that honours the magic of the market’s past and present, and looks to its future.”
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council

ENDS

Notes to Editor
Contact details
Email: pressoffice@oxford.gov.uk (Please note that any replies directly to this Press Release will go to an unmonitored inbox. Please contact email address provided)
Phone: 01865 252096

Images/extra media
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About us
Oxford City Council is the democratically-elected local authority for Oxford.
In partnership with others, we provide a wide range of services – including planning, housing, community centres, parks and waste collection – for approximately 152,000 residents, 106,000 people who work in Oxford and the millions of people who visit our world-famous city every year.

We have set four key priorities, all of equal importance and all interconnected:

  •  to enable an inclusive economy, where everyone has access to sustainable business and employment opportunities
  • to deliver more affordable housing, including a new generation of council homes to help meet our acute housing shortage
  • to support thriving communities, reducing the stark inequality between our city’s richest and poorest residents
  • to tackle the climate emergency by pursuing a zero-carbon Oxford

Our vision is to build a world-class city for everyone.
Oxfordshire has a two-tier system of local government, which means services are provided by two different councils. Oxford City Council provides local services for the city, while Oxfordshire County Council is responsible for strategic, countywide services such as roads, schools and social care.