City Sightseeing Oxford bus to play starring role at Christmas Light Festival

A festive City Sightseeing Oxford bus adorned in decorations is set to play a starring role as part of the city’s Christmas Light Festival.

The festival, which first launched in Oxford in 2009, is a great way to mark the start of the holiday season and will take place this year between November 14 and 16.

One of the highlights is the Christmas Light Bus, an open-top City Sightseeing Oxford bus decked out in hundreds of twinkling lights. The illuminated bus will travel through Oxford on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th November between 5pm and 8pm, before then spreading further joy in the weeks before Christmas.

Funded by Oxford City Council, with some events supported by Arts Council England, the festival involves more than 25 local partners, including Oxford Bus Company. Get Radio has partnered with Oxford Bus Company and will provide the on-board festive music.

Luke Marion, Managing Director at Oxford Bus Company, said: “We’re proud to support this important and popular community event that inspires so many people.

“By providing the Christmas Light Bus to the festival, it is our way of giving a little something back with a free and accessible dose of Christmas spirit. We’re looking forward to the festival and working with key stakeholders including Oxford City Council to help spread some festive joy.”

The festival includes various events, pop-ups and workshops, and marks the moment when the city Christmas lights are switched on.

Among the festival highlights are the Victorian Christmas Market in Broad Street, featuring traditional artisan stalls, festive food, live music, and Victorian street entertainment.

Arts venue The North Wall Arts Centre is creating a stunning light trail, with craft, dance, music and theatre in Cutteslowe Park, while creative arts charity Film Oxford is organising its signature lantern parade around Rose Hill.

The Oxford Science and Ideas Festival will be holding a ‘Glow Your Own’ online series of workshops to learn how to programme a simple robotic lantern, accompanied by a gallery of images of light made by visitors.

For more information about Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival, please visit:  https://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/light-bus-christmas-light-festival-2025