250th Anniversary

Wow what a year it’s been

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 everyone’s memories.

As we celebrated our 250th Christmas, the Museum of Oxford hosted a talk about the market’s rich history. Families enjoyed “Breakfast with Santa,” where children got help writing their wish letters with the man himself. During the Christmas Lights Festival, and for the first time ever, our Christmas tree became a beautiful “Christmas Wish Tree,” covered with tags filled with heartfelt hopes for the future.

On 29 November, the market sparkled with a joyful late-night shopping evening, complete with carols and mulled wine. To round off a very special year, we marked the market’s newly discovered official birthday — 21 December — with a cake-cutting celebration and 250 delicious cakes handed out to lucky visitors.

We’re not stopping there…

Play your role in the Market’s next 250 years

If there’s one thing that felt particularly special about our 250th Anniversary year it was about hearing peoples stories of how the market has played a role in their lives.  We want to continue this and create an archive for the future. Here’s how you can be part of it.

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.