Bucks &amp; Oxon

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KIDS &amp; FAMILY</h2>



Kids will enjoy&nbsp;Waterperry Gardens’&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.waterperrygardens.co.uk/event/find-santas-reindeer-trail/" target="_blank">Reindeer Trail</a>, running&nbsp;until 23 Dec, which also gives parents a chance to appreciate the horticulture. Give Rudolph a hello from us.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/Untitled-design-2021-11-29T133054.693.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-124229" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/Untitled-design-2021-11-29T133054.693.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/Untitled-design-2021-11-29T133054.693-360x240.jpeg 360w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/Untitled-design-2021-11-29T133054.693-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/Untitled-design-2021-11-29T133054.693-150x100.jpeg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/Untitled-design-2021-11-29T133054.693-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Waterperry Gardens’ Reindeer Trail</figcaption></figure>



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://bletchleypark.org.uk/" target="_blank">Bletchley Park</a>&nbsp;is putting on some Christmas specials this year including a lost toy trail, festive afternoon tea and grotto, plus there’s a festive drop-in codebreaking workshop&nbsp;18-23 and 28-30 Dec, suitable for children aged 7+, accompanied by an adult.



Between&nbsp;18 Dec – 3 Jan&nbsp;there’s a&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://oumnh.ox.ac.uk/event/festive-favourites-family-trail-0" target="_blank">Festive Favourites Family Trail</a>&nbsp;at the&nbsp;Oxford Natural History Museum, a great way to get festive (and educated!) with the littl’uns.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THEATRE </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/AWT_Cinderella_Prod_1920x1080-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-124959" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/AWT_Cinderella_Prod_1920x1080-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/AWT_Cinderella_Prod_1920x1080-2-360x202.jpg 360w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/AWT_Cinderella_Prod_1920x1080-2-720x405.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/AWT_Cinderella_Prod_1920x1080-2-150x84.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/AWT_Cinderella_Prod_1920x1080-2-900x506.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Masks, hand sanitiser and Dames at the ready! There are plenty of pantos to get your theatre fix this week including Aylesbury Waterside Theatre’s production of&nbsp;Cinderella (read my review <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/arts-culture/theatre/review-cinderella-aylesbury-waterside-theatre/" target="_blank">here</a>) starring panto veteran BBC Three Counties Breakfast presenter Andy Collins, CBBC’s&nbsp;Mark Rhodes and&nbsp;Britain’s Got Talent‘s divalicious La Voix (until 2 Jan).



Elsewhere, at Wycombe Swan you can see TV bad boys Jake Wood&nbsp;(Eastenders)&nbsp;and Jake Canuso&nbsp;(Benidorm) in <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Peter Pan (opens in a new tab)" href="https://wycombeswan.co.uk/Online/panto-wycombe-buckinghamshire-pantomime" target="_blank">Peter Pan</a> which I also reviewed <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/arts-culture/theatre/review-peter-pan-wycombe-swan-pantomime/" target="_blank">here</a> (until 2 Jan). Or there&#8217;s <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Rapunzel (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.chippingnortontheatre.com/whats-on/rapunzel" target="_blank">Rapunzel</a> at Chippy Theatre (until 2 Jan) which as usual punches well above its weight and is as cheekily charming as ever (review <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/arts-culture/theatre/rapunzel-pantomime-chipping-norton/" target="_blank">here</a>)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/SOR-4-c-Paul-Coltas.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-124842" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/SOR-4-c-Paul-Coltas.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/SOR-4-c-Paul-Coltas-360x240.jpg 360w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/SOR-4-c-Paul-Coltas-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/SOR-4-c-Paul-Coltas-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/SOR-4-c-Paul-Coltas-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



And finally, if you want a change from the traditional cheese-brigade, there&#8217;s New Theatre Oxford’s head-banging&nbsp;<a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/school-of-rock/new-theatre-oxford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">School of Rock</a>&nbsp;(until 1 Jan) – glam rock sequins optional! This is our top pick if you have fussy teens who are ‘way too old, mum, god’ for your classic Mother Goose fare (review <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/arts-culture/review-school-of-rock-new-theatre-oxford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="here (opens in a new tab)">here</a>). 



Read Muddy&#8217;s full guide here for <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/arts-culture/panto-guide-bucks-oxon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="9 more rip-roaring local pantos (opens in a new tab)">9 more rip-roaring local pantos</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FESTIVE </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/waddesdon-winter-trail.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-124894" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/waddesdon-winter-trail.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/waddesdon-winter-trail-360x240.jpeg 360w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/waddesdon-winter-trail-720x481.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/waddesdon-winter-trail-150x100.jpeg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/waddesdon-winter-trail-786x525.jpeg 786w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



At&nbsp;Waddesdon Manor,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://waddesdon.org.uk/whats-on/christmas/" target="_blank">Christmas</a>&nbsp;lasts&nbsp;until 23 Jan. Expect a stonker of a Christmas light trail, and charming wooden chalets harking fragrant festive food along with local artisan gifts. You can also enjoy&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://waddesdon.org.uk/whats-on/festive-dining-at-the-five-arrows/" target="_blank">Christmas dining</a>&nbsp;at The Five Arrows: roast turkey, herb-crusted hake, plant-based bourguignon — sumptuous stuff indeed.&nbsp;



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/christmas/" target="_blank">Christmas</a>&nbsp;at&nbsp;Blenheim Palace&nbsp;lasts&nbsp;until 2 Jan&nbsp;and involves an after-dark illuminated trail, winter street food, and the story of&nbsp;The Nutcracker&nbsp;re-imagined within the Palace’s rooms. 



Over at&nbsp;Whipsnade Zoo,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/whats-on/christmas-at-whipsnade-zoo" target="_blank">Santa Paws is Coming to Town</a>&nbsp;on weekends&nbsp;until 24 Dec. Learn about reindeer, give “a gift” (some food) to the animals, and take your little ones to meet Father Christmas.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">EXHIBITIONS</h2>



&#8216;Tis the season for heading indoors (with a mask, of course) out of the cold to take in a brilliant local exhibition. On our hitlist is MK Gallery for its free exhibition&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://mkgallery.org/event/sanctuary-the-unlikely-home-of-british-rave/" target="_blank">Sanctuary: The Unlikely Home of British Rave</a> which asks how an unsuspecting Milton Keynes warehouse become one of the UK’s largest and most beloved rave venues (until 23 Jan). 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="583" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/Ella-Ardelty-on-the-High-Trapeze-Undated.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-124960" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/Ella-Ardelty-on-the-High-Trapeze-Undated.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/Ella-Ardelty-on-the-High-Trapeze-Undated-360x210.jpg 360w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/Ella-Ardelty-on-the-High-Trapeze-Undated-720x420.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/Ella-Ardelty-on-the-High-Trapeze-Undated-150x87.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/Ella-Ardelty-on-the-High-Trapeze-Undated-900x525.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Or, also at the gallery you can catch the ambitious retrospective of one of the twentieth century&#8217;s most underrated painters <a href="https://mkgallery.org/event/laura-knight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Dame Laura Knight (opens in a new tab)">Dame Laura Knight</a> (read my review <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/arts-culture/laura-knight-at-mk-gallery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="here (opens in a new tab)">here</a>) which offers a graphic, poignant, mundane and yet sexy view on life on Britain (until 20 Feb). 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="663" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/tokyo-exhibition-2021-ninagawa-mika-detail-from-untitled-from-utsurundesu-series-web-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-124969" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/tokyo-exhibition-2021-ninagawa-mika-detail-from-untitled-from-utsurundesu-series-web-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/tokyo-exhibition-2021-ninagawa-mika-detail-from-untitled-from-utsurundesu-series-web-1-360x239.jpg 360w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/tokyo-exhibition-2021-ninagawa-mika-detail-from-untitled-from-utsurundesu-series-web-1-720x477.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/tokyo-exhibition-2021-ninagawa-mika-detail-from-untitled-from-utsurundesu-series-web-1-150x99.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/tokyo-exhibition-2021-ninagawa-mika-detail-from-untitled-from-utsurundesu-series-web-1-792x525.jpg 792w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Over in then city at Modern Art Oxford there&#8217;s Anish Kapoor’s exhibition, <a href="https://www.modernartoxford.org.uk/event/anish-kapoor-painting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Painting (opens in a new tab)">Painting</a>, which has gained a lot of press for its raw and sometimes gory paintings tackling religion, violence and bodily functions (until 13 Feb). Or the Ashmolean has terrific free exhibitions&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.ashmolean.org/tokyo" target="_blank">Tokyo</a> (until 1 Jan) and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.ashmolean.org/event/dante" target="_blank">Dante</a> which looks at the painters as the inventor of celebrity (until 9 Jan).

It’s Christmaaaas! What’s on this week?

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