More than 1,600 people (1,659 votes) have decided where this year’s Christmas Light Bus will go. The open-top City Sightseeing Oxford double-decker, wrapped in hundreds of twinkling lights and accompanied by a Get Radio soundtrack of Christmas classics, will tour Oxfordshire 4pm–8pm on:
- Fri 12 December 2025
- Sat 13 December 2025
- Fri 19 December 2025
- Sat 20 December 2025
Volunteers from Oxford Bus Group will hand out treats (including vegan and gluten-free options) at stopping points. Please note: the bus is not open for boarding and routes/timings may change if an area is deemed unsuitable on the day.
Luke Marion, Managing Director at City Sightseeing Oxford:
“After being overwhelmed with votes, we’ve been able to curate four timetables for our popular Christmas Light Bus. We’ll be visiting a range of locations across the county and we’re looking forward to seeing as many people as possible turn out for this free event.”
How it works
- The bus follows the route below between 4pm and 8pm.
- At key points it pauses briefly while “elves” share festive treats.
- No boarding: this is a free, roadside spectacle.
- Share your photos with #OxfordXmasBus and tag Oxford Bus Company / Get Radio.
Day-by-day routes (approximate times)
Friday 12 December (4pm–8pm)
- 4:20–4:30pm — Kennington
- Then: Abingdon → Drayton → Sutton Courtenay → Milton
- ~6:00pm — Didcot, then: Harwell → Wantage → Frilford → Cumnor
- ~7:45pm — Elms Parade, Botley → return to depot
Saturday 13 December (4pm–8pm)
- ~4:00pm — Blackbird Leys
- Then: Nuneham Courtenay → Berinsfield → Benson → Wallingford
- 4:50–5:00pm — Wallingford (pause)
- Then: Henley-on-Thames → Watlington → Chalgrove → Thame → Wheatley → Garsington → return to depot
Friday 19 December (4pm–8pm)
- ~4:20pm — Oxford city centre, then 4:40pm — Wolvercote
- Then: Kidlington → Woodstock → Witney → Southmoor → return to depot
Saturday 20 December (4pm–8pm)
- Hospitals tour (for staff and patients) including OUH sites
- Then: Wood Farm → Rose Hill → Littlemore → Blackbird Leys → return to depot
Timings/sequence are approximate and subject to change on the night for safety and traffic.
Good to know
- Dietary needs: tell the team at stops if you need vegan or gluten-free options.
- Access & safety: please keep pavements and junctions clear and follow steward instructions.
- Travel: Operators say the £3 single fare cap remains in place and Park&Ride bus travel is free at Oxford sites — consider using public transport to view the bus.
- Map: a route map will be shared by the operator; check their channels before you set out.
Get involved
Post your photos and videos with #OxfordXmasBus and tag Oxford Bus Company, City Sightseeing Oxford, Thames Travel and Get Radio.
