Vita da studente

Each spring sees venues across the city host a series of shows, workshops and talks as part of Dancin' Oxford. From ballet to bhangra, and everything in between, this festival caters for professional dancers and spectators alike.

Oxford becomes even more intellectual when the annual Literary Festival takes place. Over 350 writers descend on the beautiful Christ Church College for a week of talks, debates and discussions. Topics are satisfyingly varied - expect some very distinguished guests.

Some of Oxford's most historic venues, including the Ashmolean Museum and the Bodleian Library, host concerts at the annual Oxford Jazz Festival. A star-studded line-up performs over four days in beautiful surroundings.

Taking place in the 18th-century Holywell Music Room in Oxford's city centre, the town celebrates May Day with a special festival of concerts and lectures. The programme explores topics relating to literature, science and music.

Centuries-old traditions are upheld for Oxford May Day by the population of this student town. Spectators gather in their thousands to hear the choir of Magdalen College sing in the new May dawn from the top of their chapel tower.

Spring Board Festival gives classical music fans the chance to see up-and-coming stars perform at Oxford's Jacqueline du Pré Music Building. A day of intimate recitals is followed by an evening concert with pianist Melvyn Tan and violinist Levon Chilingirian.

Every Ascension Day, members of St Michael's congregation process through Oxford marking out the parish boundary by beating specially marked stones with sticks. Since some of the stones are in bars, pubs and shops, startled and bemused onlookers are common.

Eights Week is the biggest event of the year for keen rowers at all the 30+ colleges of Oxford University. Each is set against the others in a "bumps" racing competition to find the best college rowing team.

Against the backdrop of the city's famous spires, Oxford Pride brings together lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transsexual communities for a week of entertainment. The festival peaks with the annual parade and a series of parties throughout the city.

CIAO, the Children's International Arts Organisation, is an Oxford-based performing-arts organisation for young people. Celebrating its work, the annual CIAO! Festival takes place throughout the city and features a programme packed with performances, workshops and school days.

Oxfringe, which runs alongside the famous Oxford Literary Festival, features around 150 events including literary talks, concerts, theatre shows and exhibitions. The festival takes place at venues across the city including the Old Library and the Oxford Playhouse.

Oxford's southern artery is pedestrianised as the Cowley Road Carnival brings street theatre, live music and a colourful parade to the city. This multicultural festival features stalls selling food from all over the world and plenty of family activities.

Costumed performers act out scenes from Alice in Wonderland as Lewis Carroll's tale is brought to life in Oxford's quads and squares. Hosted by the Story Museum, this fantastic family day out recreates Alice's journey down the rabbit hole.

These Sunday concerts in Oxford began in 1986 and have established themselves as one of the UK's most successful chamber music series. Visitors can enjoy performances by excellent musicians and ensembles in the stunning setting of the Holywell Music Room.

Previously Oxford institution The Zodiac, the O2 Academy may have changed its name and spruced itself up, but its reputation as Oxford's premier contemporary music venue remains. Expect to see established British stars here as well as up-and-coming local talent.

The Oxford to Cambridge Bike Ride in aid of the British Heart Foundation links England's two most famous university cities. Starting in Oxford, the 89-mile route heads through Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, into the Cambridgeshire fenlands before ending in Cambridge.

The popular historic Oxford City Royal Regatta is held along a beautiful stretch of the Isis (River Thames). It takes place over two days, with a 1000-metre course on the Saturday and a 500-metre sprint the following day.

St Giles' Church and street fill with craft stalls and entertainment, celebrating the wealth of tradition and antiquity inherent in the city of Oxford. The annual fair and flower festival has celebrated St Giles' Day in this manner for centuries.

A chance to discover and enjoy some of the city's most interesting buildings and spaces, Oxford Open Doors allows the public to enter buildings that are usually inaccessible. With over 100 venues taking part, there's something to interest and inspire everyone.

The Oxford Chamber Music Festival was established by violinist Priya Mitchell. The idea is to gather together international musicians for three days of intensive rehearsals followed by four days of concerts in various venues around town.

From humble beginnings in 2002, the Oxford Lieder Festival has established itself as the leading celebration of song in the UK. Concerts, masterclasses, talks and workshops are held in Oxford University's Jacqueline du Pré Music Building and Holywell Music Room.

Enjoy a full half-hour firework display at Oxford's Round Table charity event in South Park. Spectators huddle round the bonfire to "oooh!" and "aaah!" at the spectacle, with a funfair after the display and plenty of refreshments.

New College has one of the most beautiful chapels in Oxford and one of the finest choir schools. The atmospheric Midnight Mass is one of the few chances the public has to hear Christmas carols in the college.

Each spring sees venues across the city host a series of shows, workshops and talks as part of Dancin' Oxford. From ballet to bhangra, and everything in between, this festival caters for professional dancers and spectators alike.

Oxford becomes even more intellectual when the annual Literary Festival takes place. Over 350 writers descend on the beautiful Christ Church College for a week of talks, debates and discussions. Topics are satisfyingly varied - expect some very distinguished guests.

Some of Oxford's most historic venues, including the Ashmolean Museum and the Bodleian Library, host concerts at the annual Oxford Jazz Festival. A star-studded line-up performs over four days in beautiful surroundings.

The annual Oxford Folk Festival takes over Oxford Town Hall and other venues for a host of performances, ceilidhs and workshops. First held in 2004, it is now a major spring event, reflecting the resurgent interest in all things folk.

The annual Oxford Folk Festival takes over Oxford Town Hall and other venues for a host of performances, ceilidhs and workshops. First held in 2004, it is now a major spring event, reflecting the resurgent interest in all things folk.

Taking place in the 18th-century Holywell Music Room in Oxford's city centre, the town celebrates May Day with a special festival of concerts and lectures. The programme explores topics relating to literature, science and music.

Centuries-old traditions are upheld for Oxford May Day by the population of this student town. Spectators gather in their thousands to hear the choir of Magdalen College sing in the new May dawn from the top of their chapel tower.

Spring Board Festival gives classical music fans the chance to see up-and-coming stars perform at Oxford's Jacqueline du Pré Music Building. A day of intimate recitals is followed by an evening concert with pianist Melvyn Tan and violinist Levon Chilingirian.

Every Ascension Day, members of St Michael's congregation process through Oxford marking out the parish boundary by beating specially marked stones with sticks. Since some of the stones are in bars, pubs and shops, startled and bemused onlookers are common.

Eights Week is the biggest event of the year for keen rowers at all the 30+ colleges of Oxford University. Each is set against the others in a "bumps" racing competition to find the best college rowing team.

Against the backdrop of the city's famous spires, Oxford Pride brings together lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transsexual communities for a week of entertainment. The festival peaks with the annual parade and a series of parties throughout the city.

CIAO, the Children's International Arts Organisation, is an Oxford-based performing-arts organisation for young people. Celebrating its work, the annual CIAO! Festival takes place throughout the city and features a programme packed with performances, workshops and school days.

Oxfringe, which runs alongside the famous Oxford Literary Festival, features around 150 events including literary talks, concerts, theatre shows and exhibitions. The festival takes place at venues across the city including the Old Library and the Oxford Playhouse.

Oxford's southern artery is pedestrianised as the Cowley Road Carnival brings street theatre, live music and a colourful parade to the city. This multicultural festival features stalls selling food from all over the world and plenty of family activities.

Costumed performers act out scenes from Alice in Wonderland as Lewis Carroll's tale is brought to life in Oxford's quads and squares. Hosted by the Story Museum, this fantastic family day out recreates Alice's journey down the rabbit hole.

The Oxford to Cambridge Bike Ride in aid of the British Heart Foundation links England's two most famous university cities. Starting in Oxford, the 89-mile route heads through Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, into the Cambridgeshire fenlands before ending in Cambridge.

The popular historic Oxford City Royal Regatta is held along a beautiful stretch of the Isis (River Thames). It takes place over two days, with a 1000-metre course on the Saturday and a 500-metre sprint the following day.

St Giles' Church and street fill with craft stalls and entertainment, celebrating the wealth of tradition and antiquity inherent in the city of Oxford. The annual fair and flower festival has celebrated St Giles' Day in this manner for centuries.

A chance to discover and enjoy some of the city's most interesting buildings and spaces, Oxford Open Doors allows the public to enter buildings that are usually inaccessible. With over 100 venues taking part, there's something to interest and inspire everyone.

The Oxford Chamber Music Festival was established by violinist Priya Mitchell. The idea is to gather together international musicians for three days of intensive rehearsals followed by four days of concerts in various venues around town.

From humble beginnings in 2002, the Oxford Lieder Festival has established itself as the leading celebration of song in the UK. Concerts, masterclasses, talks and workshops are held in Oxford University's Jacqueline du Pré Music Building and Holywell Music Room.

Enjoy a full half-hour firework display at Oxford's Round Table charity event in South Park. Spectators huddle round the bonfire to "oooh!" and "aaah!" at the spectacle, with a funfair after the display and plenty of refreshments.

New College has one of the most beautiful chapels in Oxford and one of the finest choir schools. The atmospheric Midnight Mass is one of the few chances the public has to hear Christmas carols in the college.