The first ever Indie Oxford Day was a celebration of the brilliant independent businesses that make Oxfordshire such a special place to live, work and shop.
On Saturday 21 March 2026, Independent Oxford invited everyone across Oxfordshire – residents and visitors alike – to shop, celebrate and support the independent businesses at the heart of our communities.
What is Indie Oxford Day?
Indie Oxford Day is a brand-new annual event created by Independent Oxford to shine a spotlight on the incredible indie businesses across the county. From beloved local cafés and independent retailers to creative studios, wellbeing practitioners and restaurants – this is a day to show them some love.
Independent businesses reflect the culture and interests of people in Oxfordshire. They make our towns, villages and city more interesting, more vibrant and more fun. When you shop indie, you’re supporting local businesses, local jobs and the local community.
How to Get Involved
There were many ways to take part in Indie Oxford Day. Here are just a few:
Shop local – choose an independent business for your morning coffee, lunch, or weekend shopping. Explore something new – browse our directory or map to discover indie businesses near you.
Celebrate an indie you love – share a recommendation with a friend, leave a review, sign up for a business’s mailing list, or follow them on social media. A small act of support can make a big difference.
Spread the word on social media – use #IndieOxfordDay on social media to share your favourite independent businesses and help us spread the indie love across Oxfordshire.
Try something new – many independent businesses will be hosting special events, activities, and offers in the week running up to Indie Oxford Day. Keep an eye on our events page and newsletter for the latest updates.
Download and share our resources – you can find social media graphics, posters, caption ideas and more in our resource hub
For Independent Businesses
All independent businesses in Oxfordshire were encouraged to be part of Indie Oxford Day, not just our Indie Oxford community members…
Run an offer, activity or event of your own – tell us about your events or special offers by Friday 6 March so we can share them in our content, or simply join in the celebration on social media using #IndieOxfordDay
Not yet an Indie Oxford member? Find out about membership and join a community of over 180 independent businesses supporting each other across the county.
Why Support Independent Businesses?
Oxfordshire is home to over 180 Indie Oxford member businesses – and hundreds more independents across the county. When you choose to shop with them, the impact goes far beyond a single purchase.
Your money stays local, supporting livelihoods, creating jobs and investing directly in the community. Independent businesses bring character and diversity to our high streets. They offer personal service, unique products and experiences you simply won’t find anywhere else.
Indie Oxford Day is a chance to celebrate everything that makes shopping indie so rewarding – and to discover new favourites along the way.
What Took Place
- Indie Oxford Day HQ @ Common Ground Coffee – 21st March – 10:00-12:00: Meet the Indie Oxford team, catch up over a coffee, and talk about all things Indie Oxford. What else to expect: Happy Cakes cupcakes, mini headshots with Laura Greene, and a photocall to celebrate the day with Fyrefly Studios
- GREEN DAY (not the band) @ Old Fire Station – 21st March – 10:30-13:00: Celebrating brilliant organisations in Oxford that offer alternatives to buying new and have a strong ethical and environmental focus; think repair cafés, thrift shops, libraries of things, seed swaps and crafts. There will be information tables, interactive and family-friendly activities and workshops throughout the morning
- Indie Oxford Day @ The Folly – 21st March – 18:00-22:00: Guided Tasting Menu & Wine Pairing with Daniel Richardson
- £5 pints @ The Market Tap in The Covered Market – 21st March – 10:00-22:00: just say “Indie Oxford Day” when you order, and then every pint ordered gets an entry into a lucky draw to win a £50 voucher redeemable at any of Tap Social Movement’s community venues
- 10% off @ Rebecca’s Home Sort – All March: Clients who book Home Sort sessions with Rebecca for the Spring (March, April, or May) will save 10% if they book before the end of the month
- Free candle @ The Herberow Candle Co – All March: everyone who buys two large 250g gift boxed candles (£24 each) will receive a FREE 180g candle. This offer is available online and also at Summertown Market on 8th March
- Free Introduction to UV Resin Workshop @ Amy Surman – 21st March – 14:00-16:00: This free workshop is to celebrate Indie Oxford Day and to launch this NEW workshop that’s being added to their programme
- Free coffee with any main meal @ The Handlebar Cafe and Kitchen – 21st March – 9:00- 12:00: Get a free coffee with any main meal, valid from our opening hour until 12 pm
- FREE “lucky dip” gift plus an extra 5% off @ Rainbow and Spoon Boutique – 21st March – All day: Get an exciting free lucky dip gift with every purchase, some are worth up to £20, and all are worth over £5. Plus, get 5% off your purchases if you can tell me 5 Independent Oxford members’ businesses you have visited during the week before Indie Oxford Day
- Indoor and Outdoor plants for sale @ Lofgrens Nordic Style – 21st March – All day: Get some plant shopping done and check out other homeware and gifts in-store
- Springtime Crafternoon – Eden Fay – 26th March – 13:00-14:30: Join Eden in making something joyful whilst taking some time to unwind before the weekend, whilst enjoying a bit of company while creating. Deadline is 19th March
- 25% off full-day and half-day food photography packages – Ronni Allen – All March: Quote ‘indieoxfordday25’ for 25% off half-day and full-day food photography packages for any new clients that make a booking across March 2026 for any shoot until May 31st. Email ronniallenphotography@gmail.com
- Indie Oxford Day @ The Cluster- 21st March- All day: Come down to The Cluster Co-working space in Summertown, where there is lots going on to celebrate the first Indie Oxford Day. Owner of The Cluster, Kevin Jessup, will be around during parts of the day to show you around and answer any questions you might have. Lorraine Berkshire-Roe will be teaching one of her sold-out Sketchbook Journal Workshops at the Cluster from 10:00- 12:00 and will be outside in the cafe gazebo afterwards, talking about her sketchbook workshops and illustration commissions from 13:00. She will also have some inspiration for budding sketchbook journalers and some of her sketchbooks to have a look at. Jessica Holzhausen will also be there from 11:00- 13:00 to talk about her ‘paint, talk and create’ workshops before her main workshop begins. Details on the Cluster events page to book your spot. Rachel from Etta Rain Ceramics and Ronni Allen, still life and commercial food photographer, will both be there to showcase their work and will be selling a small selection of beautiful ceramics and cards
- St Edward’s School Art Teachers: Circa 500 Exhibition @ The North Wall – 11th March to 27th March 2026 – 10:00 – 16:00: Circa 500 is composed of eight artists who spend their days teaching, questioning, and building alongside the next generation of artists at St Edward’s School. This exhibition turns that practice inward, revealing the breadth of disciplines that animate their department: ceramics, sculpture, textiles, painting, print, photography, graphics, and film
- A Grain of Sand Theatre Show @ The North Wall – 20th March and 21st March 2026 – 20:00 – 21:00: A Grain of Sand is a one-woman show that takes an intimate look at war through the eyes of a child, blending Palestinian folklore with real-life testimonies from children in contemporary Gaza. Renad’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the right of children to be children
- Pop Up Dog Studio @ Kennington Scout Hut – Laura Greene Photography – 21st March – 14:00 and 15:30 slots available: Treat your pooch to a pup-tastic mini portrait for £35. This includes a 20-minute session, 1 high-resolution digital photo, and much more. Add-ons: Extra digital images @ £20 each, 3 for £45, and a full set @ £75. Find out more by emailing lauragreenephotography@outlook.com
- 10% off all framed prints @ Sally-Anne Stewart Printmaker – Available until midnight 20th March: If you’ve had your eye on something, now’s the time. Get 10% off all framed prints online using the code FRAMED10.
- Free bag with purchases over £25 @ Objects Of Use – 21st March – All day: Get a free woven seagrass bag with every purchase in-store that is over £25.
Stay Updated
Indie Oxford Day is coming together fast, with more details, events and participating businesses being announced regularly. Make sure you don’t miss a thing:
– Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates
– Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook
– Use and browse #IndieOxfordDay on social media
