CIAO, the Children's International Arts Organisation, is an Oxford-based performing-arts organisation for young people. Celebrating its work, the annual CIAO! Festival takes place throughout the city and features a programme packed with performances, workshops and school days.
Against the backdrop of the city's famous spires, Oxford Pride brings together lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transsexual communities for a week of entertainment. The festival peaks with the annual parade and a series of parties throughout the city.
Every Ascension Day, members of St Michael's congregation process through Oxford marking out the parish boundary by beating specially marked stones with sticks. Since some of the stones are in bars, pubs and shops, startled and bemused onlookers are common.
Oxfringe, which runs alongside the famous Oxford Literary Festival, features around 150 events including literary talks, concerts, theatre shows and exhibitions. The festival takes place at venues across the city including the Old Library and the Oxford Playhouse.
Eights Week is the biggest event of the year for keen rowers at all the 30+ colleges of Oxford University. Each is set against the others in a "bumps" racing competition to find the best college rowing team.