Oxfordshire has a packed calendar of events this July, with everything from riverside festival glamour and classic comedy to live music, family theatre and world-class guitar performance. Whether you are looking for a black-tie evening at Henley Festival, a nostalgic night with Fawlty Towers, a feel-good musical such as Annie, or live gigs celebrating Simon & Garfunkel, Amy Winehouse and classic rhythm and blues, there are plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the county this summer.
Craig Ogden and the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet
Thursday 02 July 2026
The Theatre Chipping Norton, 2 Spring Street, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5NL
Classical guitar fans can look forward to an elegant evening of world-class musicianship when Craig Ogden joins the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet at The Theatre Chipping Norton on Thursday 2 July 2026. Celebrated for their technical brilliance, warmth and engaging stage presence, the quartet has built an international reputation through acclaimed recordings, major festival appearances and performances at leading venues including Wigmore Hall and Classic FM Live.
With six albums released on Chandos Records, the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet are known for bringing both virtuosity and charm to their programmes. Their concerts combine beautifully crafted arrangements with friendly introductions, making the music accessible and enjoyable whether you are a dedicated classical guitar enthusiast or simply looking for a refined and memorable night out.
Paul Jones and Friends
Friday 03 July 2026
The Corn Exchange, Market Square, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 6AB
Rhythm and blues legend Paul Jones comes to The Corn Exchange, Witney, on Friday 3 July 2026 for a special evening with friends. Best known as the lead singer of Manfred Mann, frontman of The Blues Band and a much-loved BBC Radio 2 broadcaster, Paul has been a familiar name since the 1960s. His career includes global hits such as Do Wah Diddy Diddy, 5-4-3-2-1 and Pretty Flamingo, alongside decades of live performances with The Manfreds and a long-running reputation as one of the UK’s great champions of blues music.
For this Witney date, Paul will be joined by a superb line-up of musicians: Denny Ilett on guitar, Jim Watson on organ, George Double on drums and Paul Jefferies on bass, with Paul himself on vocals and harmonica. Expect an evening rich in rhythm, blues, stories and musicianship from a performer whose passion for the genre remains as strong as ever.
Michelle Wolf: Best Job In The World
Monday 06 July 2026
Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford
Michelle Wolf brings her new stand-up show Best Job In The World to Oxford Playhouse on Monday 6 July 2026. Known for her sharp, fearless and gloriously chaotic comedy, Wolf turns her attention to motherhood, society, gender roles and the absurd pressures of modern life. As a mother of two, she approaches the subject with the kind of honesty and bite that have made her one of the most distinctive voices in stand-up.
A critically acclaimed comic with four specials across Netflix and HBO, Wolf has earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special and is widely recognised for her work on The Daily Show, The Break with Michelle Wolf and her headline-making appearance at the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. UK audiences may also know her from Have I Got News for You, QI and Would I Lie to You?. Expect a smart, uncompromising and very funny night from a comedian who never takes the obvious route.
The Simon and Garfunkel Story
Wednesday 08 July 2026
New Theatre Oxford, 24-26 George St, Oxford, OX1 2AG
Fans of classic folk-rock can revisit one of music’s most influential partnerships when The Simon and Garfunkel Story comes to New Theatre Oxford on Wednesday 8 July 2026. Fresh from sold-out shows in North America, this acclaimed theatrical concert experience tells the story of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, charting their rise through the 1960s and beyond with live music, video projections and vintage footage.
Audiences can expect a beautifully nostalgic journey through the duo’s best-loved songs, including The Sound of Silence, Mrs. Robinson, Bridge Over Troubled Water, America, The Boxer, Homeward Bound, April Come She Will and The Only Living Boy in New York. Blending storytelling with faithful live performances, the show is a warm and evocative tribute to a songbook that continues to resonate across generations.
Henley Festival
Wednesday 08 to Sunday 12 July 2026
Henley Upon Thames, Oxfordshire
Henley Festival returns from Wednesday 8 to Sunday 12 July 2026, bringing five days of music, art and culture to one of Oxfordshire’s most beautiful riverside settings. Held on the banks of the River Thames since 1982, the festival is famous for being the UK’s only black-tie festival, creating a glamorous atmosphere where guests dress for the occasion and become part of the spectacle themselves.
The programme combines world-class live music, visual arts, comedy, performance and dining, with past headliners including major names such as Diana Ross, Elton John and Madness. At the heart of the festival is the iconic Floating Stage, set directly on the river and framed by the Thames as a stunning natural backdrop. Alongside the entertainment, Henley Festival also supports emerging talent through its charitable RISE programme, making it a celebration with real cultural impact.
Rare Productions: Annie
Thursday 09 to Saturday 11 July 2026
The Kenton Theatre, 19 New Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2BS
Family favourite Annie comes to The Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames, from Thursday 9 to Saturday 11 July 2026, presented by Rare Productions. Set in 1930s New York, this much-loved musical follows the spirited young orphan Annie, whose optimism and determination shine through despite her difficult start in life. Living under the care of the bitter Miss Hannigan, Annie dreams of finding the parents who left her at the orphanage years before.
With its heart-warming story, memorable characters and classic songs, Annie remains one of the great family musicals. Full of charm, humour and uplifting moments, it is a wonderful opportunity for audiences of all ages to enjoy a timeless tale of hope, resilience and believing that tomorrow can always be brighter.
Lucille & The Lightning Soul Train
Friday 10 July 2026
Fat Lil’s, 64 Corn Street, Witney, OX28 6BS
Soul and disco fans can look forward to a feelgood night when Lucille & The Lightning Soul Train come to Fat Lil’s in Witney on Friday 10 July 2026. Known locally for their standout performances at Witney Music Festival, the band have quickly built a reputation for bringing energy, style and serious groove to every stage they play.
Bursting onto the scene around five years ago, Lucille & The Lightning Soul Train have become a must-see live act for anyone who loves classic soul, disco and dancefloor favourites. With tickets expected to move quickly, this is one to book early if you want to be part of what promises to be a packed and lively night at Fat Lil’s.
Fawlty Towers
Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 July 2026
New Theatre Oxford, 24-26 George St, Oxford, OX1 2AG
The chaos of Britain’s most infamous seaside hotel comes to New Theatre Oxford as Fawlty Towers arrives from Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 July 2026. Following a successful West End run, this stage adaptation of the much-loved 1970s sitcom has been adapted by original writer and star John Cleese, bringing Basil Fawlty’s short temper, Sybil’s sharp patience and the hotel’s endless disasters to life for a new audience. Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, whose credits include Only Fools and Horses: The Musical, the production captures the frantic energy and brilliantly timed comedy that made the original series a national treasure.
Set in the fictional Torquay hotel, Fawlty Towers follows Basil and Sybil as they attempt to keep the business running while dealing with difficult guests, staff mishaps and escalating misunderstandings. Nearly fifty years after it first appeared on television, the show remains one of the best-loved British sitcoms of all time, and this stage version offers fans the chance to relive the mayhem, sharp dialogue and unforgettable characters in a lively live setting.
Sound of The Lioness
Saturday 25 July 2026
The Mill Arts Centre Spiceball Park Road, Banbury , OX16 5QE
Amy Winehouse’s music is celebrated in style when Sound of The Lioness come to The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury, on Saturday 25 July 2026. This eight-piece band takes audiences through the remarkable career of one of Britain’s most distinctive and influential artists, capturing the sound, attitude and emotion that made her songs so unforgettable.
With a full horn section and backing vocals, the band recreates the energy and richness of Amy’s live shows from the 2000s. Expect a set that moves from the jazz-tinged feel of the Frank era through to the soul-heavy, Mark Ronson-influenced sound of Back to Black. It promises an atmospheric and heartfelt tribute to a truly iconic voice.
With so much happening across Oxfordshire this July, it is a great time to turn your visit into a short break. Stay in Oxford for easy access to theatres, restaurants and historic sights, or explore the surrounding towns and villages with a night or two in Henley-on-Thames, Witney, Chipping Norton, Banbury or the Cotswolds. From city-centre hotels and boutique guest houses to welcoming bed and breakfasts, country inns and self-catering cottages, there are plenty of places to stay while you enjoy a summer filled with music, theatre, festivals and days out.
