An art installation celebrating Oxford and its seven twin cities will shine bright on the side of a City Sightseeing Oxford double-decker bus as it returns for this year’s Christmas Light Festival.
The annual festival was launched in 2009 and takes place this year from Friday 13th November to Sunday 15th November.
City Sightseeing Oxford’s open-top Christmas Light Bus will be decked out in hundreds of twinkling lights, visiting Blackbird Leys, Rose Hill, Wood Farm, Headington and Barton on 13th November, and then the city centre, Kidlington, Wolvercote and Botley the following day.
This year, Oxford artist Mita Vaghela has invited the public to vote for which flower best represents the city. The most popular choice will join flowers representing Oxford’s seven twin cities in an illuminated floral installation on the side of the Christmas Light Bus.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, which owns and operates City Sightseeing Oxford, said: “Another year has flown by and we’re looking forward to the return of the Christmas Light Bus.
“We love supporting the Christmas Light Festival. It’s a popular community event which spreads plenty of festive joy.
“There’s extra excitement this year for what will be a fantastic spectacle thanks to the creativity of Mita Vaghela.
“Providing the Christmas Light Bus is one of the ways we can give a little sparkle back to the community.”
Commissioned by Oxford City Council, the Christmas Light Festival will see the return of a light trail in Cutteslowe Park and the Victorian Christmas Market in Broad Street.
The festival includes various events, parades and trails, and marks the moment when Oxford’s city centre Christmas lights are switched on.
In addition to the Christmas Light Festival, the Christmas Light Bus will be touring Oxfordshire on weekends leading up to Christmas and a public vote has been launched to decide where the festive double-decker will tour. More information is available at: www.oxfordbus.co.uk/lightbus2026
To find out more about the Christmas Light Bus at the Christmas Light Festival, including a map with key timings, please visit: www.oxfordbus.co.uk/light-bus-christmas-light-festival-2026
