Our advent calendar highlights some wonderful opportunities taking place in communities across Oxfordshire.
We hope some of the ideas inspire you to give a little back this Christmas.
Take a look through the calendar below for specific December opportunities. If you wish to volunteer beyond December and into 2026, take a look at a variety of volunteering roles on Oxon Volunteers.
If you have a December event to list, please submit your details to us through our short form.
One for train lovers!
Didcot Railway Centre are running a host of festive events throughout December and they’re looking for volunteers.
Giving Tuesday
If you can’t spare the time, Giving Tuesday is an alternative way to help this Christmas. Although it’s a national campaign local charity SOFEA is part of the Big Give fundraiser. Help them to provide education, employability, and well-being programmes for vulnerable young people, tackle food insecurity, and protect the environment.
Carol Concert and Festive Coffee Morning
One for the little ones!
Help support Berkshire Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) by taking your toddlers along to Storytime with Mrs Claus at Sutton Courtenay. There will also be crafts and a present. Booking is essential.
Christmas Concert
Follow the Stars Christmas Concert with Macmillan Cancer at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford. The line-up includes Abigail Thaw, Sally Phillips, Ben Bailey Smith, Angela Rippon, and Demi Jones. Find out more and book your ticket.
Donate your unwanted IT equipment
Getting Oxfordshire Online works in partnership with the local community to provide refurbished devices, connectivity and support to help get people online.
Christmas Service, Eco-shopping and Santa Dash
Support a hygiene bank
Many people are living in hygiene poverty and cannot afford to stay clean. Make a donation or volunteer at a hygiene bank. In Oxfordshire there’s one in Bicester, Banbury and Oxford.
Help shoppers wrap their gifts
From 8th -14th December, Aspire are running a gift wrapping booth in the Westgate Shopping Centre. Help shoppers wrap their gifts, in exchange for donations to Aspire. Volunteers are needed for the stall between 12-5pm each day,. You can do the full shift or a few hours. Email Aspire to discuss volunteering.
Charity Christmas cards
The Cards for Good Causes pop-up shop is at Oxford Town Hall until 22nd December. Shop with purpose and choose from a wide range of charity Christmas cards.
Put a smile on a child’s face
Donate a toy to the Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal. Help spread the joy of Christmas to families whose children would otherwise not receive a gift.
Give some time to help the homeless
Crisis Skylight Oxford have a number of different ways you can volunteer this Christmas. Are you a hairdresser or barber who can offer free haircuts to the homeless? Find out more.
Support children to read
Donate children’s books and reading aids to ARCh (Assisted Reading for Children). Take a look at their Amazon wishlist. ARCh are often on the lookout for volunteers to help children with their reading in schools too.
Could You Offer a Spare Room This Winter?
One for the tractor lovers!
The Banbury Christmas Tractor Run is returning for the 10th year of fundraising for Katharine House Hospice. From 5pm the convoy of decorated tractors visit Banbury and surrounding villages.
Support those remembering lost ones
Volunteer as a parking attendant for the Lights of Love service hosted by Sobell House Hospice. This annual service to remember lost loved ones takes place at St Edwards School in Oxford.
Give the gift of life this Christmas
You may be a regular blood donor or haven’t donated before, but you can find out what’s involved and book your appointment online.
Pop some extra groceries in your basket
Food banks across Oxfordshire are sadly still in much need of donations and volunteers. Help to give them a boost this Christmas. The Trussell Trust has more information on your local bank.
Christmas Concert
Kidlington Amateur Operatic Society is performing its annual charity Christmas Concert on the 17th and 18th. There will also be a special appearance from Father Christmas. Book your tickets.
Join in with Christmas songs
Grove Stroke Group are hosting an afternoon of Christmas songs with refreshments at Grove Village Hall from 2-4pm.
Wave to Santa on his sleigh
Wrap up warm and go outside to wave as Santa’s sleigh will be making a magical trip around Harwell bringing festive cheer, lights and music. In aid of 1st Harwell Scouts.
Santa Fun Run
Join the Didcot Santa Fun Run in aid of The Cornermen and Reducing the Risk. Everyone signed up receives a Santa suit, certificate and medal. The 5k route kicks off at 9am.
Chip your tree for charity
What to do with your Christmas tree after the festivities? Recycle it of course! Katharine House Hospice and Sue Ryder both offer tree recycling but you need to book your collection.
Get wrapping!
Can you donate some time to help wrap Christmas presents? Raise 25 are offering Christmas gift wrapping at the Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford from 22nd to 24th December. In aid of 12 local charities. Book your spot to volunteer.
Volunteer into the New Year!
If you’re looking to volunteer beyond December, the best place to start looking is Oxon Volunteers. Organisations across the county advertise roles here and you can apply through the platform too. They would love to have you join their volunteering team in 2026!
Be a Christmas Day Lunch Volunteer
There are numerous places in Oxfordshire offering free Christmas lunch to those in need. None of them can go ahead without the generosity of volunteers.