14 Things to do in Oxford This May 2024
Mark your calendars, spread the word [use #indieoxford] and prepare for an unforgettable May as we celebrate the beauty, creativity and sense of community that makes Oxfordshire truly special.
We can’t wait to see your posts, share in your experiences, and embrace the joy that these events bring.
Check out these awesome indie events in Oxfordshire this May to help you plan your month ahead and find cool and unique things to do in our county.
Thank you for supporting our local indie businesses. >>
PUZZLED PINT
Puzzled Pint is a bit like a pub quiz but with puzzles instead of trivia. Come with a team or come on your own and the team at Crafty Maze can help you find teammates on the night. Each team goes at their own pace so you don’t have to turn up bang on 7.
Tuesday 14th May from 7 pm at Oxford Retreat.
EXHIBITION TOUR – FRIEDA TORANZO JAEGER
Gain behind-the-scenes insights into Modern Art Oxford’s current exhibition, Frieda Toranzo Jaeger: A future in the light of darkness, with a free curator-led tour.
Friday 10 May, 1 – 1.30pm
ARTWEEKS IS BACK!
From 4 – 27 May, over a thousand artists, makers and designers will exhibit and demonstrate in artists’ studios, pop-up galleries, glorious gardens, ancient churches, Oxford Colleges and hundreds of other interesting venues. Just drop-in and explore for free.
Each week of the festival is different:
North and West Oxfordshire: 4-12 May
Oxford city: 11-19 May
South Oxfordshire: 18-27 May
DRAWING CLUB: MAY
Discover DRAWING CLUB – a fun, approachable opportunity to liberate your creativity through mark-making in the café at the Old Fire Station, to make experimental drawings. Open to everyone; beginners, enthusiasts and artists alike! The theme for this session is – Fashion Illustration.
Saturday 4th May from 5 – 6 pm.
MINDFUL SELF-COMPASSION COURSE
Why is it so hard to give ourselves the same compassion we so easily give to our friends? Most of us would be kind to a close friend who was suffering, yet we can be merciless with ourselves.
The Mindful Self-Compassion courses run over nine consecutive weeks. It includes 8 weekly live classes led by Sally Harris, a mini retreat session to deepen your practice, guided recordings to use for daily home practice, follow-up emails, personalised one-to-one support and lifelong access to a course Padlet for inspiration.
£325. 15 May – 10 July, Wednesdays, 6-9pm
Held at Barrack’s Lane Community Garden.
DANIEL ABLITT – QUIETUDE
Through this new collection of paintings, artist Daniel Ablitt explores stillness and tranquillity, capturing moments of peaceful beauty from the modern world.
Creating an escape from a place that’s all too often filled with noise and haste. His unique use of light, colour, and composition, transports us to serene landscapes, imagined, remembered and real. Each scene is enveloped in a hushed serenity that aims to resonates with the viewer’s own inner peace.
2 – 25 May, free. Sarah Wiseman Gallery
LINOCUT WORKSHOP
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at linocut printmaking? In this linocut class Sally-Anne Stewart will introduce you to the basics of linocut – including different tools, mark-making methods and what makes a good linocut design – and we’ll carve and print our designs so that you have your own beautiful, bold print to take home.
Tuesday 21 May, 7-9.30pm at James Street Tavern, OX4 1EU
ART LATE SUMMERTOWN
The North Wall, Turrill Sculpture Garden, and Sarah Wiseman Gallery are collaborating once again to bring you an evening of exhibition viewings, live music with Ben Avison, wine tastings with Grape Minds and Art Late talks led by Sarah Wiseman.
Thursday 23 May, 5.30 – 8.30pm
Head to the Indie Oxford events page to see what else is happening in the indie network.
Planning on attending one of these events? A great way to support local indies is by sharing their posts online and leaving reviews on Google and Facebook. Also, be sure to use #indieoxford on Instagram.
