Oxford Winter Lights Festival

02/09/2026

Thanks FreshChoice Oxford we appreciate your support of the Oxford Winter Lights.

A massive thank you to the community for your support and tokens, we appreciate it!

Congratulations to all the other events and groups that were apart of the Community Shout - your all amazing!!

💙 THE FINAL COUNT IS IN! 💙

What an amazing round of FreshChoice Oxford Community Shout – thank you to everyone who popped their tokens in and got behind these fantastic local groups!

🥇 Oxford Area School takes out the top spot, raising money to support their students heading to the Koru Games!

🥈 Ashley Gorge Reserve Advisory Group
🥉 Oxford Winter Lights
💙 Oxford Netball Club

Every group receives a share of our Community Shout funding, so every token really does make a difference.

A huge thank you to all four groups for the work they do in our community – and to our FreshChoice Oxford customers for getting behind them.

Local supporting local 💙

19/07/2026

✨ Reliving the magic of Oxford Winter Lights ✨

What a wonderful evening we had last Sunday night as our Oxford community came together to celebrate the incredible effort, creativity and community spirit that shone brightly throughout the Oxford Winter Lights Festival. 🌟

With the help of Mayor Dan Gordon, Experience Oxford / Oxford Promotions Action Committee (OPAC) Chairperson Tahlia Simpson had the pleasure of presenting awards to our amazing winners and community award recipients.

From beautifully decorated homes and businesses to the incredible tamariki entries, every display told a story of whānau, connection, celebration and hope — bringing our Matariki theme, *Matariki Herenga Waka – The Mooring Place of Canoes*, to life. ✨

It was so special to see everyone gathered together, sharing stories, celebrating each other’s creativity and enjoying a night out with friends, whānau and our wider community.

A huge thank you to everyone who entered, visited the displays, voted, volunteered, sponsored, supported and helped make the Oxford Winter Lights Festival such a success. Your mahi, generosity and enthusiasm are what make events like this possible. 💙

A special thank you to Mayor Dan Gordon for joining us and helping celebrate the achievements of our community, and to everyone who played a part in bringing this festival to life.

We’re already looking forward to seeing how our community continues to shine in the future. 🌟

Many lights, one community.✨

18/07/2026

✨ Mārama the Kiwi is still exploring Oxford… and she has found another way to support our community! ✨🪶💫

While Mārama has been busy spreading light and joy around Oxford, she has also been popping into FreshChoice Oxford for her shopping adventures. 🛒🥝

Each time Mārama visits, she collects her FreshChoice Community Shout tokens and carefully places them into the Oxford Winter Lights Festival container. 💙✨

She knows that every token helps support local events, community connections and the magic that brings our town together.

Now Mārama needs your help! 🌟

Next time you shop at FreshChoice Oxford, don’t forget to grab your Community Shout tokens and add them to the Oxford Winter Lights container. Together, we can help bring even more sparkle, celebration and community spirit to Oxford. 🌌💡

Thank you to FreshChoice Oxford for supporting local groups and giving our community the opportunity to shine. 💙

Help Mārama the Kiwi light up Oxford — one token at a time! 🥝✨

12/07/2026

What an amazing 2 weeks of sparkling lights! Oxford has been amazing and we thank everyone for their participation.

Our prize giving evening was fantastic at The West Oxford Hotel and thank you to Mayor Dan Gordon for joining us to announce the winners!

LETTERBOX CATEGORY
🏆1st Prize - 40 Weka St
2nd Prize - 2 Transport Lane
3rd Prize - 146a High St
Community Winner - 63 Burnett St

HOMES CATEGORY
🏆1st Prize - 153 High St
2nd Prize - 1 Rimu Place
3rd Prize - 63 Burnett St
Community Winner - 1 Rimu Place

BUSINESS CATEGORY
🏆1st Prize - Oxford Kindy
2nd Prize - Oxford Butchery LTD
3rd Prize - Black Beech pizza W**e Bar
Community Winner - Tussock and Thread

🌟 Congratulations to everyone your displays were all amazing and it was very difficult for the judges to decide.

11/07/2026

Mārama's Final Winter Lights Adventure ✨🥝

What an incredible journey it has been! Over the past two weeks, Mārama the Kiwi has wandered the streets of Oxford, discovering the amazing homes, businesses and letterboxes that have come alive in celebration of Matariki and the Oxford Winter Lights Festival. 💙

For this final adventure, Mārama visited:

✨ Oxford Pharmacy – A beautiful sea of blue lights that lights up the corner of Main Street, creating a welcoming display for everyone passing by.

🏠 63 Burnett Street – A spectacular home filled with colourful lights and festive cheer, while the glowing letterbox adds an extra touch of creativity and fun.

📚 Emma's at Oxford – A magical window display featuring books, gifts and a glowing Matariki star, inviting everyone to stop and explore.

🏡 Total Realty – Helping brighten Main Street with colourful lights, adding to the wonderful atmosphere that has transformed Oxford this winter.

As Mārama's adventure comes to an end, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to every resident, business, organisation and volunteer who has taken part in this year's Oxford Winter Lights Festival. Your creativity, generosity and community spirit have made Oxford a truly magical place to visit and celebrate Matariki.

Whether you've entered a display, voted, volunteered, sponsored an event or simply wandered the streets enjoying the lights, thank you for being part of something so special. Together, we've created memories that will last long after the lights are packed away. ✨

🗳️ There's still time to vote for your favourite displays!

💙 Ngā Kāinga Tīrama – Homes of Light
⭐ Te Kete Whetū – Basket of Stars (Letterboxes)
🏪 Te Ara Pakihi Whetū – Pathway of Shining Business

Vote here:
https://form.jotform.com/261548873305059

🥝 From all of us, and especially Mārama the Kiwi... ngā mihi nui. Thank you for making Oxford shine so brightly this Matariki. We can't wait to see what next year brings! 🌟💙

10/07/2026

🏮✨ Mārama's Latest Winter Lights Stops ✨🥝

Mārama the Kiwi has been busy discovering even more incredible displays around Oxford, and this latest adventure is full of community spirit, creativity and Matariki magic! 💙

📚 Oxford Library & Service Centre is glowing with beautiful blue and golden lights, creating a warm and welcoming space for everyone visiting the heart of our town. It's a stunning display that perfectly captures the spirit of the season.

🧸 Oxford Kindy has embraced Matariki with a colourful and imaginative display. Mārama especially loved the illuminated waka, celebrating this year's theme, alongside the vibrant lights and decorations that showcase the creativity of our tamariki and teaching team.

🏨 The West Oxford Hotel is shining brightly with its welcoming Matariki display. As the venue for the Oxford Winter Lights Festival Prizegiving this Sunday evening, it's the perfect place to celebrate the incredible effort our community has put into making Oxford sparkle.

🍻 Oxford Club has also joined in the festivities, helping brighten our town and supporting the community spirit that makes the Oxford Winter Lights Festival so special.

A huge thank you to every home, business and community organisation that has taken part this year. Your creativity, enthusiasm and willingness to get involved have transformed Oxford into a magical winter destination for everyone to enjoy. ✨

🗳️ Have you voted for your favourite displays yet?

💙 Ngā Kāinga Tīrama – Homes of Light
⭐ Te Kete Whetū – Basket of Stars (Letterboxes)
🏪 Te Ara Pakihi Whetū – Pathway of Shining Business

Vote now:
https://form.jotform.com/261548873305059

🥝 Mārama still has a few more magical places to visit, so keep following along as we continue to celebrate the amazing displays lighting up Oxford this Matariki! 💫

09/07/2026

✨ Mārama's Latest Winter Lights Stops ✨🥝

Mārama the Kiwi has been out and about again, discovering more of the wonderful displays that are lighting up Oxford this Matariki. Every stop is a reminder of the creativity, warmth and community spirit that make our town so special. 💙

🛍️ Tussock & Thread has created a beautifully elegant display, with warm fairy lights and a glowing Matariki star welcoming visitors to the boutique. Mārama couldn't resist stopping by to admire the magical window display and soak up the cosy atmosphere.

🏡 64 High Street shines with a timeless display of warm white lights that beautifully frame the home. Mārama loved exploring this peaceful setting, where the twinkling lights create a welcoming glow for everyone passing by.

🍛 Indian Hut is bringing both flavour and festive cheer to Main Street! With sparkling lights and a warm welcome, this local favourite is helping brighten Oxford while serving up delicious meals throughout the Winter Lights Festival.

A huge thank you to every home, business and community group taking part in this year's Oxford Winter Lights Festival. Your displays are helping make Oxford a magical place to visit and celebrate Matariki. ✨

🗳️ Have you voted for your favourite displays yet?

💙 Ngā Kāinga Tīrama – Homes of Light
⭐ Te Kete Whetū – Basket of Stars (Letterboxes)
🏪 Te Ara Pakihi Whetū – Pathway of Shining Business

Vote now:
https://form.jotform.com/261548873305059

🥝 Keep following Mārama the Kiwi as the adventure continues. There are still more magical displays waiting to be discovered around Oxford! 💫

08/07/2026

🌟✨ TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT – JUDGING BEGINS! ✨🌟

The wait is over! Tonight our judging team will be out and about, visiting every incredible entry in the Oxford Winter Lights Festival.

🕕 Judging starts from 6:00pm

Whether you've entered a:
📮 Letterbox
🏡 Home
🏢 Business
..it's time to switch on those lights and let your creativity shine!

Our judges can't wait to see the amazing displays that have transformed Oxford into a magical winter wonderland. Every twinkling light, handcrafted decoration and creative idea helps make our community something truly special.

👋 If you spot our judges or festival volunteers out and about, be sure to say kia ora! We'd love to hear the story behind your display and what inspired you to take part.

🏆 The winners will be announced at our Prizegiving & Celebration Evening:

📅 Sunday 12th July
🕠 From 5:30pm
📍 The West Oxford Hotel

Good luck to everyone who has entered—and thank you for helping make Oxford shine brighter than ever! 💜✨

08/07/2026

🌟✨ Mārama the Kiwi has continued the adventure, discovering even more incredible displays around Oxford! 🌟✨

Every corner of town is glowing with community spirit, and these latest stops certainly didn't disappoint. 💙

🏡 153 High Street is lighting up the night with a stunning two-storey display. Sparkling white icicle lights, glowing blue accents and a beautifully decorated veranda create a magical welcome that's impossible to miss.

☕ Cafe 51 is adding a splash of colour to Main Street with its vibrant pink and blue lighting. This iconic Oxford eatery is shining brightly and helping make our town feel even more festive during the Matariki celebrations.

🌲 1 Rimu Place has created a colourful winter wonderland, with twinkling lights winding through the garden and trees. It's a cheerful display full of colour and creativity that brings a smile to everyone passing by.

A huge thank you to everyone who has put so much time and effort into making Oxford shine this Matariki. Your creativity and community spirit are what make the Oxford Winter Lights Festival so special. ✨

🗳️ Don't forget to vote for your favourite displays!

💙 Ngā Kāinga Tīrama – Homes of Light
⭐ Te Kete Whetū – Basket of Stars (Letterboxes)
🏪 Te Ara Pakihi Whetū – Pathway of Shining Business

Vote now:
https://form.jotform.com/261548873305059

Keep watching... Mārama the Kiwi still has plenty more magical displays to discover before the festival comes to an end! 🥝🏮💫

07/07/2026

✨🌟 Mārama the Kiwi has been out exploring more of Oxford's Winter Lights Festival entries! 🌟✨

What a wonderful evening discovering even more of our community's creativity and Matariki spirit! 💙

🛒 Queenette Dairy is shining bright with colourful lights, welcoming everyone who stops by. This much-loved local business has joined in the festivities, helping light up Main Street and spread a little winter magic.

🧶 Oxford Cottage Crafts Co-op has created a beautiful display that reflects the warmth, creativity and community spirit that makes Oxford so special. Mārama loved stopping by to admire the twinkling lights and the inviting atmosphere.

🏡 74 Main Street has transformed their home and letterbox into a glowing Matariki display, with brilliant blue lights creating a stunning winter scene. It's another wonderful example of the effort and imagination our community has put into this year's festival.

A huge thank you to everyone who has decorated their homes, businesses and letterboxes. Every display adds something special to the Oxford Winter Lights Festival and helps make our town shine throughout the Matariki celebrations. ✨

🗳️ Now it's your turn to choose your favourites! Vote for the displays that have captured your heart in each category:
💙 Ngā Kāinga Tīrama – Homes of Light
⭐ Te Kete Whetū – Basket of Stars (Letterboxes)
🏪 Te Ara Pakihi Whetū – Pathway of Shining Business

Vote now at:
https://form.jotform.com/261548873305059

Keep an eye out... Mārama the Kiwi still has plenty more magical displays to discover! 🥝🏮💫