Santa's Tour, Candlelight Concerts & Local Heroes

Hello Bicester!

Despite the wet weather this past weekend, our town’s festive spirit is brighter than ever. We’ve got Santa touring our streets every night, local students searching for community heroes, and a special candlelight concert supporting our young musicians. Here is your update for the week.

Top Stories

Santa’s Sleigh Tour Hits High Gear

If you haven’t heard the festive music yet, you will soon! The Bicester Round Table’s Santa Sleigh is out in full force this week, touring neighborhoods each evening to spread cheer and collect donations for local causes. Starting this Wednesday, December 17th, Santa will also be stationed at the Bicester ASDA daily from 11am to 5pm, right through to December 23rd. It’s the perfect chance for little ones to say hello and for us to support the volunteers who do so much for our town.

Buy Bicester Map Poster for your wall decoration.

Candlelight Concert to Support Cooper School

This Saturday, St Edburg’s Church will glow with hundreds of candles for a special musical evening. The “Christmas by Candlelight” concert on December 20th features two performances at 6pm and 8pm. Best of all, £1 from every ticket sold goes directly to The Cooper School Music Department to help inspire the next generation of local musicians. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy classic festive music while backing our local students.

College Students Launch Hero Search

Students from Banbury and Bicester College have launched a heartwarming project to find “Unsung Heroes” in our community. The Lifeskills students are organizing an awards ceremony to celebrate the everyday people who make Bicester special but rarely get recognized. It’s a fantastic initiative from our young people to highlight the good in our neighborhoods.

Upcoming Events

This Week (Dec 15–21)

• Foodbank Donation Drive: Thursday, Dec 18. This is the big collection day for Christmas hampers. If you have items to give, this is the time to help ensure every table in Bicester has a festive meal.
• Christmas by Candlelight: Saturday, Dec 20, 6pm & 8pm at St Edburg’s Church. Tickets available online.
• Santa Fun Run: Sunday, Dec 21, 11am at Pingle Field. Join hundreds of Santa-suited runners for a 5K fun run supporting Nai’s House and Bicester Foodbank.

Save the Date (January)

• Sunday Scramble: Jan 11, 2026 at Bicester Heritage. Tickets for the first Scramble of the new year are already in high demand (some releases are sold out!), so check availability now if you want to see the classic cars kick off 2026.

Community Buzz

The community is rallying around the Foodbank this week, with local schools like St Mary’s Catholic Primary organizing “Reverse Advent Calendars” to gather donations. It’s touching to see children learning the joy of giving. Also, a big “well done” to everyone who braved the rain last weekend for the festive activities – Bicester folks never let a bit of drizzle stop the fun.

Business Beat

Bicester Village is keeping the festive magic alive with late-night shopping hours continuing this week (9am–9pm). Meanwhile, local businesses are getting involved in the Santa Sleigh routes, showing that our shops are truly part of the community fabric.

Fortnum & Mason continues to welcome shoppers at Bicester Village after its October opening – Your positive Bicester news is here! Santa’s sleigh is on tour, a candlelight concert supports The Cooper School, and students are celebrating local heroes. Get all the festive details inside.the first store outside London in over 300 years. The store features their famous teas, biscuits, and treats, plus the “On the Go” kiosk serving toasted sourdough crumpets. The Double Red Duke gastropub is serving seasonal British dishes daily, with afternoon tea launching early next year. These additions have made Bicester Village a true destination for food lovers and gift shoppers this Christmas season

Council Corner

Cherwell District Council is reminding everyone that support is available as winter sets in. From the “Winter Warmers” initiatives to community grants, they are focused on keeping Bicester safe and connected this season.

Closing Note

From students celebrating unsung heroes to runners dressing as Santa for charity, Bicester is ending the year on a high note of kindness. Whether you’re dropping a tin at the foodbank or waving to Santa at ASDA, you’re making our town a better place. Have a wonderful, warm week, neighbors!