25 Nov 09

The naturally decorated Christmas tree based at the Botanic Garden.

Carol singing, mince pies and Christmas shopping are just some of the ways you can get in the festive mood while exploring Oxford University’s cultural venues at this year’s Christmas Light Night. 

The University’s Museums and the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art are taking part in the Oxford Inspires event on Friday (27 November).

At the Museum of the History of Science from 7pm to 11pm you can catch the world’s first exhibition of Steampunk art, from redesigned practical items to fantastical contraptions. There will also be family friendly activities as well as performances of Victorian and Edwardian parlour songs and a film screening.

Or pay a visit to the newly opened Ashmolean Museum between 6pm and 10pm where you can explore the recent refurbishments and the exciting redisplay of collections in more than 30 new galleries while enjoying carol singing, late night shopping, mulled wine and mince pies.

At the Pitt Rivers Museum and the Museum of Natural History between 6pm and 9pm you can enjoy a Community Christmas featuring a lantern procession and family activities accompanied by both world music and festive tunes played by pipers at the former, and jazz and traditional music at the latter.

Or head to the Divinity School and Bodleian Library for Music and Manuscripts. Here you can visit the stunning buildings at nighttime, enjoy some tradition music and pick up some Christmas gifts and cards in the shop.

This year the Ruskin is taking part. Based in Ovada in Gloucester Green from 5pm until 10.30pm, Nightfair before Christmas is an affordable art fair where the Ruskin is collaborating with the art school at Oxford Brookes. Visitors can browse or snap up a unique Christmas present or card of work by some of the top emerging students from the School.

On the big screen in Gloucester Green will be a series of selected short film and video works from students from the Ruskin amongst others, including a film by Ruskin alumnus and Saatchi New Sensations 09 winner Oliver Beer.

Other Christmas events at the University over the festive period include The Big Botanic Christmas Tree at the Botanic Garden open now until Sunday 3 January between 10am and 4pm. Enjoy the naturally decorated Christmas tree and look for Christmas spices in the glasshouses at weekends.