Indie Events in Oxford: May 2026
May brings Oxfordshire to life. From bustling town centres to hidden village gems, these May events showcase the creativity, character and warmth that local businesses bring to Oxfordshire — and offer the perfect excuse to discover somewhere new, as longer days and lighter evenings arrive.
May Morning Breakfast & Story Telling
| Refuel your May Morning celebrations at our family friendly cafe on May Morning. From 6am we’ll be serving up barista coffees and breakfast rolls.
Enjoy a combo offer: Hot drink of your choice + breakfast roll (sausage, bacon or vegan) for £6.50. Breakfast is served until 10:00am. There will also be live storytelling! Friday May 1st, from 6:00am |
Cuban Cinema Showcase
ZonaSur Cinema Club presents Voices of the Island at Common Ground on 27 April, an evening showcasing and discussing stories from contemporary Cuban cinema with screenings of two recent films.
Monday 27th April
Abingdon Distillery Secret Rum Launch Party & Open Day
Abingdon Distillery is hosting a Secret Rum Launch Party & Open Day on 2nd May, with tastings of its new rum, cocktails at the bar, pizza on the terrace and the chance to explore the distillery. Free to attend and dog friendly.
Saturday 2nd May, 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Oxfordshire Artweeks May Festival
Oxfordshire Artweeks returns this May, with artists, makers and designers opening studios and pop-up exhibitions across the county. Running over three weeks, it’s a brilliant chance to explore local creativity, meet makers and discover everything from painting and ceramics to jewellery and textiles – all free to visit.
Saturday 2nd – Monday 25th May
Lorraine Berkshire-Roe Oxfordshire Artweeks Exhibitions
Lorraine Berkshire-Roe has a creative double bill this season, with Sketchbook Journaling workshops at The Cluster in Summertown running on selected Saturday mornings from April to August.
She also opens her Oxfordshire Artweeks exhibition in Littlemore this May, showcasing imaginative pen-and-ink illustrations, ceramics and sketchbook journals, with visitors able to meet the artist and join drop-in mini drawing workshops.
Sally-Anne Stewart linocut printning workshop
East Oxford printmaker Sally-Anne Stewart is running beginner-friendly linocut workshops at James Street Tavern, with evening sessions across spring and summer. Learn the basics of lino printing, with all materials and equipment included.
Tuesday 12th May, 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Sandy Lane Farm Open Day
| Sandy Lane Farm is opening its gates for a family-friendly Open Day on 16 May, with guided tours, market garden walks, tractor-trailer rides, farm animals, hot food and coffee. A great chance to explore this local organic farm and see how food is grown in harmony with nature.
Saturday 16th May, 10:00am – 2:00pm |
Amy Surman Jewllery Workshop - taster days
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Fancy trying your hand at jewllery making? Amy Surman Jewellery in Cowley is hosting Workshop Taster Days on 16 and 23 May, offering hands-on sessions in silversmithing, enamelling and beading. Visitors can also browse the Artweeks exhibition running across selected dates in May. |
Oxfordshire Artweeks Exhibition
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Artweeks at 215 Iffley Road brings together the work of Penny Maltby, Etta Rain and Cassandra Smith, featuring contemporary craft and design across textiles, ceramics and woven forms. Open on selected dates in May, it’s a chance to discover three local makers in one space. Saturday 16th – Saturday 23rd May, 10:00am – 4:00pm |
SCRAPS Collective Opening Celebration
| SCRAPS Collective celebrates the opening of its debut exhibition at Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot on 2 May. Expect colourful contemporary artwork, crafts, snacks and the chance to meet the artists behind the show.
Saturday 2nd May, 10:00am – 5:00pm |
East Oxford Art Collective Artweeks Show
The East Oxford Art Collective returns with its Artweeks Show at Greyfriars Church Hall, showcasing painting, printmaking, drawing, textiles, ceramics, glass and jewellery. Open daily across selected dates in May, it’s a chance to meet local makers and browse a wide range of work.
16th-17th & 23rd-25th May, 10:00am – 4:00pm
In conversation with Jon Woolcott at Mostly Books
Mostly Books welcomes author Jon Woolcott for a talk on Britain’s chalklands, exploring the stories, symbolism and changing meanings of the mysterious figures carved into hillsides across the country. A fascinating evening for readers of history, landscape and folklore.
Wednesday 13th May, from 7:00pm
