Oxford will pause to remember on two key dates this month: Armistice Day on Tuesday 11th November, and Remembrance Sunday on Sunday 9th November. Here’s how the city will commemorate, and what residents need to know.
Armistice Day – Tuesday 11 November (Town Hall)
- Time & place: Short ceremony 10:55am, landing area at the top of the stairs, Oxford Town Hall
- Order of service: Led by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Louise Upton; prayer by The City Rector, Revd Anthony Buckley; two-minute silence at 11:00am
- Who can attend: All welcome
What is Armistice Day?
Armistice Day marks the agreement signed at 5am on 11 November 1918 in Compiègne, France, ending fighting in the First World War. Since 1919, the UK has observed a two-minute silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, introduced by King George V and inspired by journalist and veteran Edward George Honey.
Remembrance Sunday – Sunday 9 November (St Giles)
- Parade form-up: From 10:00am in Magdalen Street East & West (under the direction of WO1 James Massey, Mercian Regiment)
- Service: 10:45am at the War Memorial, St Giles
- Two-minute silence: 11:00am
- Accessibility (BSL): A British Sign Language interpreter will be located at the junction of St Giles and Woodstock Road, to the west of the dais
Organisations attending include
- Salvation Army Band
- 4624 County of Oxford Movements Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force
- Activate Learning City of Oxford College
- Oxford Spires District Scouts
- Royal Air Force Cadets
- Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force (including Quebec Company)
- Thames Valley Police Oxford Cadets
- Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service and Cadets
- Oxford University Officers’ Training Corps (OUTC)
- St John Ambulance
- Oxford Nepalese Community
- Headington Rye Oxford CCF
- Girlguiding Oxford
Flags
- Leading up to 11 November: Royal British Legion Flag on Town Hall
- Sunday 9 November: Union Flag flying on Carfax and Oxford Town Hall
Road closures – Sunday 9 November, 12:01am–2:00pm
- St Giles (entire length): closed
- Parking: Suspended during the event
- Pedestrians: Pavement opposite the war memorial on Banbury Road closed; please use diversions or Woodstock Road
- Banbury Road: Parks Road → St Giles (closed)
- Beaumont Street: St John Street → St Giles (closed)
- Keble Road: closed; Keble Rd → Blackhall Rd junction closed
- Magdalen Street East and West: closed
Please allow extra time, follow signed diversions, and consider walking, cycling, or public transport where possible.
From the Lord Mayor
“Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday give us a moment to pause and reflect on the immense sacrifices made by so many in our armed forces and their families. As we stand together in silence, we honour the courage and selflessness of those who choose to serve, to protect the freedoms we hold dear. I encourage everyone to take a moment, wherever they are, to remember those who have died in the past, to thank those who serve in our armed forces today, and to hope for a peaceful future.”
— Cllr Louise Upton, Lord Mayor of Oxford
At a glance
- Armistice Day (Town Hall): Tue 11 Nov, 10:55am, silence at 11am — all welcome
- Remembrance Sunday (St Giles): Sun 9 Nov, parade from 10am, service 10:45am, silence at 11am
- BSL interpreter: Junction of St Giles & Woodstock Road
- Road closures: Multiple streets around St Giles 12:01am–2:00pm on Sun 9 Nov
For any last-minute updates, please check Oxford City Council channels.
