Carols
Nine lessons and Carols
Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
Today, 3pm
Tickets: 01865 305305 or ticketsoxford.com

This traditional service of carols and readings takes place in one of Oxford’s most glorious settings. Admission is free, but booking is essential. It’s a popular event, so turn up in good time to get a good seat.

Reggae
Laid Blak
Bullingdon, Oxford
Today
Tickets £8 in advance from ticketweb.co.uk

Bass-heavy seven-piece Laid Blak are a perennial Oxford favourite, and the best bet to usher in Christmas Day in what has become a long-running Oxford tradition of reggae Christmas nights. As well as the band’s set, members DJ Bunjy & Mc Joe Peng also hit the deck and mic, along with Destination DJs, Steamin’ John Dash & Keith Ulett, and the host Count Skylarkin.

Party rock
Pete Fryer Band
Seacourt Bridge, Oxford
Boxing Day
Entrance free

Certain types like to work off their postprandial somnolence by mounting horses, others kicking a pig’s bladder around. We prefer to shake our stuff to some fine punk rock & roll, which is why you’ll find us in West Oxford’s finest pub for Pete and Phil Fryer.

Drum & bass
Shy FX
O2 Academy Oxford
New Year’s Eve
Tickets £15+fee from ticketweb.co.uk

Those masters of low down and dirty beats and rhymes Shy FX and Stamina MC arrive decks and mic in hand to keep you dancing right through to 2016.

They are joined by D Double E, SYV, the aforementioned Count Skylarkin, and Lazcru. There is more action with Donaeo, Maxwell D, Versatile, JAG 1 Sound, Platinum, DJ Shy & DJ Ko, Tony Nanton, Spex and Kinchy.

Sixties rock
The Dreaming Spires
Rusty Bicycle, Oxford
New Year’s Eve
Entrance is free

Just as Christmas Eve is all about the reggae, New Year’s Eve in East Oxford is inextricably linked with Americana. This is down to the efforts of brothers Robin and Joe Bennett and their band The Dreaming Spires, who do their fun thing at the Rusty Bicycle. This year they go back to the decade of love with a 1965 theme night. The show ends an amazing year for the band, with a great new album under their belts and a shortlisting for a UK Americana Award.