About Oxford Festival of Arts 2023

The Oxford Festival of Arts 2023 (OFA 2023) will be back in venues across Oxford this year, with events running from 23 June to 16 July.

This year’s theme is People. Stories. Histories. with events including the Rosie Holt: The Woman’s Hour, and the BBC Big Band with vocalist Claire Martin in a spectacular evening of jazz in the Festival Marquee. More events will be revealed over the coming weeks.

Much of the festival will take place in the Festival Marquee on the grounds of Magdalen College School (MCS), with events also taking place across the city at locations such as Christ Church Cathedral, Sheldonian Theatre, and SJE Arts Oxford.

About the festival

The Oxford Festival of the Arts is a month-long celebration of arts and culture with a vibrant mix of music, art, dance, theatre, big-name speakers and more. It was founded by Magdalen College School and the first festival took place in 2009.

Events take place across the city each summer, from the third week of June onwards, attracting nationally and internationally renowned performers and artists, as well as exciting newcomers and home-grown talent.

Through its many cultural partnerships, the festival is able to make use of the buildings, open spaces, and performance venues that the beautiful city of Oxford has to offer.

The festival’s mission is to offer a broad programme of performances, events, and experiences embracing music; classical, contemporary and new, theatre, visual art, film, dance, comedy, and literature.

The festival celebrates Oxford’s diverse communities and offers something for everyone, whatever their age, background or artistic experience, and the school remains the lead sponsor and greatest supporter of the festival.