After more than six months away, The Abbey Cinema returns to its main auditorium in the Abbey Hall from Friday 11th April 2025. Their final screening in The Old Magistrates Court took place on 6th April. Now that the RAAC roof repairs are complete, it will soon be back to comfy seats and candle-lit tables. The first film will be Snow White.

On Saturday 12th April, Duncan will be dancing in Abingdon Market Place from 5 in the morning, aiming to break the Guinness World Record for the longest Morris dance — over 11 hours. He’ll be in full Morris dress and bells, supported by dancers from around the area, raising money for The Mayor’s Charities: One Planet Abingdon and the Abingdon & District Volunteer Centre.

Also on Saturday, 10 AM – 2 PM, The Nasio Trust is hosting a family-friendly Easter event at the Abbey Buildings. Expect an egg hunt, egg and spoon races, and a game of ‘pin the tail on the bunny’.

Also on Saturday, 10 AM – 1 PM, a group of volunteers will be meeting at Abingdon Lock to help clean the River Thames and riverbank near Abingdon. Litter pickers, high-vis jackets, and gloves will be provided. If you’d like to help, you can just turn up on the day, or email events@abibinit.org for more details.

For the most comprehensive “What’s On” guide in Abingdon, visit the Town Council’s Local Information Centre at Roysse Court (same entrance as the Registry Office). Staff are available at the desk to answer questions and provide additional details beyond what’s listed.

The Abingdon Horticultural Society Spring Show will be on at the Northcourt Centre on Saturday 29th March, 2pm – 4pm. The main event is a display of spring flowers. There are also baking, crafts and photography.

The Abingdon Peace Pole’s first Anniversary – “Let’s Build Bridges Not Walls” – will be on Saturday 5th April, 3pm – 4:30pm at St Ethelwold’s Garden (indoors if wet). There will be a short ceremony to celebrate the Peace Pole, followed by refreshments, live music, and circle dancing (weather permitting).

On 5th April at 7:30pm at St Helen’s Church there will be a concert featuring local young organists and choral music by the Helenstowe Consort.

Abingdon Operatic Society will be performing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from 8th – 12th April, 7:30pm (Sat Matinee 2:30pm) at The Amey Theatre, Abingdon School. This is a musical stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s story. Get your Golden Ticket at www.abingdonoperatic.co.uk.

Another place to check out upcoming local events is the window of Merityre on Ock Street in Abingdon.

Abingdon & District Musical Society have a concert, taking place on Saturday, 22nd March 2025 at 7:30 PM at St Helen’s Church. The programme includes:
Britten – Rejoice in the Lamb
Rutter – Gloria
Kodály – Missa Brevis

There is a production of “Abigail’s Party” by Mike Leigh, presented by Abingdon Drama Club at the Unicorn Theatre from Wednesday 26th March – Saturday 29th March.

An Agnostics Anonymous meeting at St Helen’s Parish Centre in Abingdon will have an open discussion on Prayer for Agnostics.

There are a series of events scheduled as part of the ATOM Festival of Science & Technology, taking place from 15th-26th March.  Among these is Science on the Market Place this Saturday. atomfestival.org.uk has the details.

Featuring another of Abingdon’s many notice boards — this one is outside Pedal Power in the Vineyard. Here are some of the upcoming events that caught my eye in the next week. There should be plenty of time to get on your bike for these events.

The Abingdon Artists Spring Exhibition is at St Helens Church from Monday 10th March to Saturday 15th March.  This is a show of recent works by many local artists. There will be original artwork and cards for sale and daily demonstrations.

On Saturday 8th March at 7:30 PM at St Helen’s Church the Abingdon & District Musical Society have a concert featuring:
Beethoven – Leonora No. 3 Overture
Dvorak – Violin Romance in F minor (Kate Bailey)
Brahms – Symphony No. 4 in E minor.

There will be a Charity Quiz Night supporting the Nasio Trust on Thursday 13th March at the Loose Cannon Brewery. For £4 per person you can test your knowledge for a local good cause.

The Abingdon Concert Band will be performing on Saturday 15th March and will introduce David Batsman as the Twelfth Musical Director (the 11th regeneration). The programme features music from Doctor Who, Star Trek (John Williams), Vaughan Williams, Nigel Hess, The Greatest Showman, and more.

If you’re reading this after March 15th, 2025, don’t worry — time may have slipped away and unless you are Doctor Who you won’t be able to get it back, but there is always more to come in Abingdon.