Oxford is primarily known by outsiders and tourists for its historical charm. The beautiful buildings, grand cathedral, and the university all build a distinct aesthetic of old England. However, you don’t have to explore the centuries-old sites to turn back the hands of time.
In and around Oxford now and through the summer months, there are plenty of hit retro pastimes offering classic forms of entertainment to explore. Here’s where you should look if you want to immerse yourself in some retro fun in the warmer days, afternoons, and nights to come in 2026.
Kicking Off the Summer with the Totally 90s Festival
Hosted by Six Star Events at Cutteslowe Park Oxford, the Totally 90s Festival will launch fans of a retro persuasion into the summer with some legendary names coming back to the stage. On Saturday, 30 May and Sunday, 31 May, you’ll experience a dizzying array of top-class tributes, and there’ll be some special guests.
Headlining the slate are tributes to The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, Kevin & Perry, Green Day, Foo Fighters, Robbie Williams, Eminem, Britney Spears, Parklife, and Blink-182 to help power up the celebration of 90s hits. Plus, Jet from Gladiator will be in attendance, and Kevin and Perry will host a meet and greet after their set.
The Games that Dominated Friday and Saturday Night
Friday and Saturday nights were bingo nights for millions across the UK as the 1960s opened up, with halls welcoming whole communities in for some low-stakes, bubbly fun. It’d be eyes down and silence while the cheeky calls for the numbered balls came through, and then elation whenever someone would hit a line.
While bingo has faded from the spotlight over the last few decades, it continues in nearby pockets to offer an evening of entertainment. In fact, there are a few bingo clubs near Oxford, with Swindon being the shortest ride away. There are even new player offers for attendees, including the Eat, Drink & Play For £10 special.
A New, But Classic, Way to Enjoy the Big Screen
The rise of dedicated cinemas and theatre complexes to show movies was a natural progression of the entertainment medium. After all, indoors, you can control everything from the lighting to the weather and any potential external sounds – bar those attendees who can’t resist the noisiest food in its largest portions.
However, there’s a distinct allure to open-air cinemas that has kept them alive in little dots across the UK. Popular in the 1950s, many will recognise drive-in cinemas from classic films. Now, you can head down to Milton Hill House to enjoy the hotel’s lawn area while a film plays on the big screen of Outdoor Cinema Oxford.
So, if you fancy rolling back the years to enjoy some tried, trusted, and retro entertainment in the summer months to come, Oxford and some nearby hotspots have plenty for you to try. From the festival to a new way to experience still-popular forms of fun, you’re bound to find an enjoyable experience close to home.
