Christmas
Christmas & New Year Visiting
Museum admission is free and no booking is required. Opening hours are 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.45pm. Below you'll find visiting information for the 2025 Christmas and new year period.
Tue 23 December – OPEN
Wed 24 December – CLOSED
Thu 25 December – CLOSED
Fri 26 December – CLOSED
Sat 27 December – OPEN
Sun 28 December – OPEN
Mon 29 December – OPEN
Tue 30 December – OPEN
Wed 31 December – OPEN
Thu 1 January – CLOSED
Fri2 January – OPEN
Sat 3 January – OPEN
Festive Treats & Gifts
ROOFTOP RESTAURANT
Join us for lunch or afternoon tea and gaze out over the picturesque rooftops of Oxford. Book ahead for a special festive afternoon tea and Christmas lunch as a treat.
FESTIVE SHOPPING
Discover our range of Christmas cards, exclusive gifts, jewellery, and decorations inspired by the Ashmolean’s collection. Every purchase supports the Museum.
Recommended final order dates for Christmas:
11 Dec (International)
17 Dec (UK)
GIFT MEMBERSHIP
Treat someone special to a Christmas gift membership, with unlimited access to exhibitions, members-only previews and curator-led talks and tours, plus a members’ magazine, discounts and more.
WINTER JIGSAW PUZZLES
We've turned some of your favourite Ashmolean treasures into online jigsaw puzzles and here's a seasonal selection to try out this Christmas.
What's on at the Museum
THIS IS WHAT YOU GET THIS IS WHAT YOU GET: STANLEY DONWOOD, RADIOHEAD, THOM YORKE
ASHMOLEAN NOW: DAPHNE WRIGHT
TALKS, TOURS & EVENTS
ASHMOLEAN ADVENTURE
Share a fun family experience as you explore exhibits and galleries using the interactive digital guides. Look out for the festive activity.
FREE FAMILY FUN
Explore, be creative and have fun as a family this winter, there are free workshops, trails and more to enjoy.
FREE EXHIBITIONS & DISPLAYS
View all our current exhibitions and special displays open at the Museum over Christmas and the new year.
GALLERY TOURS
Discover some of the treasures on display at the Ashmolean, and some less-well-known ones too, on our free gallery tours.
ADVENT CALENDAR
Visit our Advent Calendar from 1 December for a new Ashmolean object every day