27-05-2025
Alice's Day to transform Oxford into Wonderland this summer
There will be street theatre, talks, storytelling, and guided walks as Oxford celebrates Alice's Adventures in Wonderland this summer.
The Story Museum has announced the return of Alice's Day, an annual event that transforms Oxford into a wonderland.
Taking place on Saturday, July 5, this year's festival will follow the theme of 'Quests and Adventures'.
Alice's Day will return to Oxford this July (Image: The Story Museum)
Alice's Day will return to Oxford this July (Image: The Story Museum) In July 1862, Charles Dodgson took Alice Liddell and her sisters on a boating picnic up the River Thames from Folly Bridge in Oxford.
To amuse the children, he told them a story about a little girl, sitting bored by a riverbank, who finds herself tumbling down a rabbit hole into a topsy-turvy world called Wonderland.
Ten-year-old Alice asked Mr Dodgson to write the story down, and the result was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, published in 1865 under the pen name Lewis Carroll.
Visitors to Oxford will have the chance to see the Red Queen procession, a life-size pack of cards, and Alice herself chasing the White Rabbit, all performed by Curious Company.
Other venues taking part include the Bodleian Libraries, Museum of Oxford, History of Science Museum, The Lewis Carroll Society, Oxford Water Walks, The Oxford Children's Book Group, and Alice's Shop.
Alice's Day will return to Oxford this July (Image: The Story Museum)
Alice's Day will return to Oxford this July (Image: The Story Museum) Christ Church, once home to Alice Liddell, will host croquet in the masters' garden in partnership with the Eynsham Croquet Club.
It will also have a talk by Phillip Roberts about the Magic Lantern, a 19th-century storytelling device used by travelling entertainers.
This event will include a performance of Lewis Carroll slides, recently acquired by Christ Church Library.
The Story Museum will offer half-price entry to its interactive galleries, and visitors will have the chance to play Snarks and Riddles, a board game designed by the museum's young Story Curators.
This life-size game is inspired by the story worlds of Lewis Carroll.
Alice's Day will return to Oxford this July (Image: The Story Museum)
Alice's Day will return to Oxford this July (Image: The Story Museum) The museum's magic common room will host the giant Wonderland afternoon tea, featuring cakes, sandwiches, and savouries made by the café team.
Ameneh Enayat, The Story Museum's head of creative programme, said: "We are incredibly excited to reveal another unforgettable Alice's Day.
"We are especially pleased to reveal the new interactive board game, made by our young Story Curators; a team of budding designers aged 11 to 16 working with The Story Museum to develop skills in immersive exhibitions in weekly after-school sessions during term time.
"We are incredibly grateful to our partners who work so hard to make this day so special.
"I can't think of many children's stories that have influenced art, fashion, food, and film the way that Alice has, and it's wonderful to think that it all originated here in Oxford."
