It’s 2024 and we’ve been a continually operating market for an incredible 250 years!
To celebrate our big 2-5-0 we’ve not just cut a cake, we’ve dedicated the whole of 2024 to our 250th Anniversary. We’ve been packing in events throughout the year and now it’s time for our 250th Christmas!
When you visit on any day you’ll see the market is now bursting with festive decorations as well as our 250th Anniversary bunting, and don’t forget to seek out those special limited edition tote bags that carry out special edition Anniversary logo!
WHAT’S NEXT?
And here’s to Christmas! The decorations are up and the tree has arrived! It’s no wonder the market looks so magical at this time of year, we’ve had 250 of them!!! Read on for what’s in store for our very special 250th Christmas.
We already had a sleighful of extra special activities to offer to honour our 250th Christmas – most are free and all are open to everyone.
Wed 13 November, Museum of Oxford hosted a 250th Anniversary edition lunchtime talk “Exploring the History of the Covered Market” with historian Malcolm Graham, delving into the market’s history. We launched our dedicated Market Memories page were you can upload texts, photos, audio and even video directly to share your treasured memories for all to enjoy. This special archive will be kept for future market visitors and regular users to enjoy and be inspired by.
Sat 16 November everyone was invited to have “Breakfast with Santa” as part of this years Christmas Lights Festival and this year for the first year ever our market special market Christmas tree have become a “Christmas Wish Tree“. It’s been so wonderful to see so many come and hang up their wishes for the future.
We also hosted extra festive Christmas evening – a late-night shopping event on Nov 29. The market will rang out with carols and lots of mulled wine and one night only Christmas promos were enjoyed as over 30 traders opened until 9pm!
Then as this very special year wraps up, we have one more last hurrah. On Saturday 21st at 11am we are celebrating the newly discovered official birthday with special a Birthday cake-cutting ceremony. We’ll also be giving out 250 cakes to lucky shoppers. See you there!
Wow what a year it’s been already
We kicked off our 250th year decorating the market in Anniversary bunting and launching a special year long series of posters celebrating our coming of age.
We hosted a special 250th Easter Egg Hunt, plus an extra special 250th May Morning in the Market where music and dance filled the market. Soon after followed a family-friendly Market Street Party as we made new history celebrating the trial transformation of Market Street’s brand new makeover. Then we went big and celebrated in style with quite possibly the biggest party the market has ever had – our 250th Anniversary party! It was like a dream come true as the market really was all singing and all dancing. We’ve published a look back at the party here.
Then 26 – 29 September Tiny Ideas Festival set a free 250th Anniversary market trail for the kiddies. October 26th we were honoured to host a special free postcard writing event with The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society as part of this years IF Festival and Oxfords International Links. Right from the off people sat down and got stuck in. It was so special to see so many – all ages all backgrounds all sitting together and sending word to friends, loved ones and our twin cities. 4th Nov saw a special Covered Market 250th edition of Memory Lane at Museum of Oxford. It was great to hear everyones memories.
Play your role in our history
Can you imagine the stories the market could tell if it could talk? Sadly, it can’t talk – but you can! We would love to hear your treasured memories, family stories and fun anecdotes about the market. So we can do our best to capture the role the market has played in people’s lives.
You may have grown up shopping in the market, or members of your family have been market traders, or maybe it was a one-off memorable visit.
We’re keen to hear your story and see any photos or artefacts you might like us to consider sharing and maybe you can be part of Covered Market history for the next 250 years of traders and visitors to enjoy. Check out our Market Memories page below.
View the Market MemoriesThat’s not all, watch this space and keep an eye on our social media for more exciting events and activies as the year unfolds.