Mark your calendars for Saturday 21st September 2024, as the Oxford Canal Festival returns to Aristotle Lane Lane Recreation Ground, Oxford, promising a day filled with festivities for the whole family.
Proceeds will go to ‘The Kilsby Theatre Boat Project’ – the 108-year-old narrowboat being rescued to become a new community theatre boat for Oxford’s waterways.
Event Highlights
Live Music
The festival will feature performances from various live bands and DJs, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the day. From folk tunes to modern beats, come and enjoy our amazing music line up including: the Jericho Singers, Ben Avison & Three Idle Women, Weekend Warriors, The Dirty Big Canal Dance Band, Mambo Panthers, Papa Nui, and Senegalese kora musician Jali Fily Cissokho.
The Spoken Word Tent
Visit the Spoken Word Tent for a fantastic literary experience with Sir Philip Pullman, writer of His Dark Materials, reading live on stage. Roy McFarlane, the Canal Laureate announcing the winning performances from this year’s Oxford Canal Festival Poetry Competition, “The Ways of Water”, and the hugely fun ‘University Challenged’ quiz with local teams taking on Oxford University finest brains!
Community Activities and Stalls
Expect a wide range of activities, including a dog show, a hugely entertaining and impressive competition with winners taking home fantastic canine prizes, with categories such as Waggiest Tail and Best Dressed Dog & Owner.
And there is the world-famous Canal Olympics, which promises fun games like boaters’ arm wrestling and a sack-of-coal race.
Family-Friendly Fun
Children and families can enjoy various activities, including face painting and a bouncy castle. The festival ensures there’s plenty to keep the younger visitors entertained with a dedicated hands-on arts and crafts tent will provide creative outlets for children.
Heritage Walks and Canal History
Take part in a Canal Heritage Walk led by local historian Mark Davies. This guided tour will explore the cultural and historical significance of the canal, including a visit to a newly refurbished railway swing bridge and insights into the canal’s literary connections and living heritage. The Canal Cinema will feature short films about the local history and canal life.
Food & Drink
Craft beers and non-alcoholic drinks will be available in the bar tent, and a big selection of food vendors will be on site offering international cuisines.
Event Details
- Date and Time: Saturday, 21st September 2024, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Location: Aristotle Lane, Oxford, OX2 6, United Kingdom
- Admission: Free entry, but donations are encouraged for the Kilsby Theatre Boat Project and other community activities.
How to Get There: As there is no parking available at the festival, attendees are encouraged to arrive by bike, on foot, or using public transport.
For more details about the Oxford Canal Festival and to stay updated on the event schedule, visit the Oxford Canal Heritage website of the events social media.
Instagram: @oxfordcanalfest – Facebook: @OxfordCanalFestival
What is the Kilsby Boat Project?
The Kilsby Boat Project is rescuing and restoring a 1912 canal boat, reinventing it as a community venue for storytelling, music and boat trips. Kilsby is moored at Tooley’s historic boatyard awaiting restoration works that will enable her to make the trip back home to Oxford.
