Oxford City Council

07/09/2026

Roll up, roll up! St Giles' Fair was opened in style today by Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Chewe Munkonge.

Joined by the City Rector Anthony Buckley and the Lord Mayor's Cadet LCpl Maisie Waite, the Lord Mayor had a spin (literally) on some of the iconic rides, as he reflected on this beloved and historic event.

St Giles' Fair is happening today (7 September) until 11pm and tomorrow (8 September) from 11am until 11pm on St Giles', just north of the city centre.

07/09/2026

In Oxford we are lucky enough to have a variety of parks, woods, and rivers. But it's important to enjoy them safely.

Oxford's rivers might look inviting, but swimming in these waterways can be dangerous.

Councillor Anna Railton explains the risks of wild water swimming, and why you should always think before you swim in Oxford's waterways.

You can learn more about how you can stay safe at: www.oxford.gov.uk/wildwatercode

05/09/2026

From citizen science monitoring in the Evenlode catchment to practical advice for enjoying waterways safely, Oxfordshire Climate Action's latest article explores why healthy rivers matter for wildlife, communities and climate resilience - and how we can all help protect them.

Hear from Dr Laura Bannatyne, Freshwater Research Manager at Earthwatch Europe, about more than a decade of partnerships and what monitoring reveals about water quality. Our team also shares advice about staying safe around waterways.

Read it here:

From citizen science monitoring in the Evenlode catchment to practical advice for enjoying waterways safely, discover why healthy rivers matter for wildlife, communities and climate resilience, and how we can all help protect them.

04/09/2026

📢 Your one-minute guide to what happened in Oxford this week ✅

🎠 St Giles' Fair returns next week!
One of the country's oldest and most famous fairs is back in Oxford on 7 and 8 September, bringing thrilling rides, games and family fun to the city centre. Visitors should plan ahead, with temporary road closures and transport changes in place to keep everyone safe during the event.

🏠 Four years of raising standards in Oxford's private rented sector
This week marks four years of Oxford's citywide Selective Licensing Scheme, helping ensure privately rented homes meet clear safety and management standards. Since launching, nearly 12,000 licences have been issued, thousands of inspections carried out, and action taken where homes have fallen below the standards tenants deserve.

🍂 September in the The Covered Market Oxford
As the seasons change, our traders are embracing all things cosy with autumn-inspired flavours, traditional treats and warm woollens. From seasonal dishes to handcrafted clothing, there’s plenty to discover this month.

🤝 Eight new partners join ZCOP
The Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership has welcomed eight new organisations. Together, they'll help accelerate countywide action on climate change and support Oxfordshire's journey to a net zero future.

🔥 New fire rules now in place
To help keep Oxford safe restrictions on barbecues, fires, fireworks and Chinese lanterns have been extended to more public spaces across the city.

Want this in your inbox? Subscribe to our Your Oxford newsletter: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/newsletter

04/09/2026

🎠🍦🎈 St Giles' Fair returns next week: Here's what you need to know!

St Giles' Fair is renowned as one of the greatest and most prestigious fairs in the country.

Originating in 1625 as a parish festival honouring St Giles, the fair evolved over centuries. Initially a toy fair in the 18th century, it transformed into a children's fair in the early 19th century. The funfair aspect expanded significantly during the Victorian era, influenced by advancements in transport and mechanical engineering, allowing more visitors and the development of early ride prototypes.

The fair traditionally takes place on the Monday and Tuesday after the first Sunday post-St Giles' Day (1 September). In 2026, the fair will be held on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 September, operating from 11am to 11pm on both days. The fair takes place on St Giles', which is a wide avenue to the north of the city centre.

Road closures and traffic measures will take place in Oxford city centre from 00:01 Sunday 6 September to 8am Wednesday 9 September to manage the safety of pedestrians and vehicles during the fair.

Banbury Road, Beaumont Street, Bevington Road, Keble Road, St Giles, Magdalen Street East and West, Pusey Street, Woodstock Road and Little Clarendon Street will all have some closures.

Disabled Persons parking will be suspended in St Giles, Broad Street, Keble Road and Pusey Street and relocated to Blackhall Road. Bus and taxi services in St Giles' will be transferred to Broad Street.

Learn more: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/events-oxford/st-giles-fair

03/09/2026

Eight organisations have joined the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership (ZCOP), strengthening countywide efforts to cut emissions and adapt to climate change.

The new partners bring expertise from some of the sectors at the heart of Oxfordshire’s transition to net zero, including farming, nature, construction and sustainable transport.

The new partners are:

- Earth Trust
- FarmED
- North East Cotswold Farmers Cluster
- CPRE Oxfordshire
- Greencore Homes
- Beard Construction
- Darcica Logistics
- Velocity Cycle Couriers

ZCOP is a countywide partnership for organisations committed to accelerating climate action across Oxfordshire. Its members include local authorities, public services, universities, businesses and community organisations.

Membership gives organisations opportunities to connect with others working on similar challenges, share knowledge and resources, take part in specialist working groups, webinars and events, and collaborate on practical projects and initiatives.

Learn more: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/news/article/1898/eight-new-partners-join-zero-carbon-oxfordshire-partnership

03/09/2026

Full Council starts at 5pm link in the comments below:

03/09/2026

📢 Leys Pride in Place Board meeting ✅

The next Neighbourhood Board meeting for the Leys Pride in Place project is happening on Thursday 10 September from 6.30 - 8pm at the Oxford Hub (at the back of Windale Primary School).

Come along for a chance to meet the Neighbourhood Board, learn more about the programme, and ask your questions. The event is free to attend, and refreshments are included.

What is Leys Pride in Place programme?

The Pride in Place Programme see £20 million of funding and support given to Greater Leys over the next 10 years to make long-term improvements that residents want.

To do this, the Leys Neighbourhood Board will be producing a 10 year vision for Greater Leys, to help deliver the improvements that matter the most to local people – from pavements, to investing in culture and green spaces.

This is your chance to meet the Neighbourhood Board, and get involved.

Learn more: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/prideinplace

02/09/2026

City Sightseeing Oxford and Museum of Oxford partner for new reduced ticket option 👀🚌🖼️

Residents and visitors can learn more about Oxford’s history thanks to a new partnership between City Sightseeing Oxford and the Museum of Oxford.

A new partnership between the two allows combined tickets for the attractions, providing excellent savings for visitors and locals wanting to learn more about Oxford’s culture and heritage.

Adult tickets are priced at just £21.50, while student and senior tickets cost £18.50. A children’s ticket is available for £13, with children under the age of five going free. All tickets can be purchased on the day of visit, or with an online voucher in advance. Vouchers must be presented to a City Sightseeing colleague on the day of visit to be activated.

Passengers can hop on and off the open-top City Sightseeing Oxford tour as often as they like, disembarking at Stop 7 for the Museum of Oxford.

Once the bus tour portion of the combined ticket has been redeemed, customers will have three months to use the Museum of Oxford portion of the voucher.

The Museum of Oxford, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, and is open between 10am and 5pm from Monday to Saturday.

Learn more: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/news/article/1900/city-sightseeing-oxford-and-museum-of-oxford-partner-for-new-reduced-ticket-option

01/09/2026

🌞 Your Oxford photography competition: Summer memories edition 🌻

The Your Oxford photography competition is back for another month, and this time, we'd love to see your best snaps from this summer.

The winning photo will appear as the banner image on our page until the next competition. We'll also share a selection of the best images on our Facebook and Instagram.

To enter, simply send us a direct message with your photo. Please read the terms and conditions linked below to ensure your photo fits within the guidelines.

Entries close midnight Tuesday 8 September, with the winner notified by direct message.

You can find full Terms and Conditions on our website: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/communications/oxford-photography-competition-terms-conditions

Pictured: River Thames, near Port Meadow