On Saturday 28th March (9am–3pm), the Abingdon Local Excellence Markets return to the Market Place with a Spring Craft Market. There will be a wide range of locally made crafts and gifts — a good chance to browse and meet makers.

The Annual Parish Meeting takes place on Wednesday 1st April 2026 at 7pm in the Roysse Room at Roysse Court, Bridge Street.

This is the Town Council’s opportunity to report back on its work over the past year, with updates from committee chairs. PCSO Ali Blood will also speak about local policing. Local charities and community groups supported by council grants will share what they’ve been doing, and there will be time for residents to ask questions about the town.

With the Easter holidays beginning, there are plenty of activities for children and families.

At Abingdon Library, there’s an Easter Storytime with Sustainable Crafting on Wednesday 1st April, 1–2pm. This free session is ideal for children aged 4–10, combining stories with simple craft activities. Spaces are limited, so booking is recommended.

At Abingdon Museum, the “Chicks ’n’ Eggs” Easter craft session also takes place on Wednesday 1st April (10:30am–12:30pm and 1:30pm–3:30pm). This is a drop-in event where children can make hanging chicks and decorated collage eggs.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse councils are also running a wider programme of holiday activities across the area. In Abingdon, this includes a Mini Fun Day (9am–1pm) at White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre on Thursday 3rd April. There are other activities available. Details and booking can be found online at https://www.southandvale.gov.uk/south-and-vale-holiday-activities/

For music, Unicorn Theatre hosts Suntou Susso on Thursday 2nd April (7:00–10:30pm). This is part of his The Future is Ancestral tour, an evening of kora music (a traditional West African instrument) and song. To book see https://musicattheunicorn.org.uk/.

Abingdon Town Council wished the Guild of Town Criers a very happy 25th anniversary in the Spring 2026 edition of the Town Crier magazine. The article explains how, when the role was revived 25 years ago, no single person could be found to take it on, and so a guild was formed.

There are currently ten people in the Guild and one of them was out today, announcing the Local Excellence Spring Craft Market next Saturday, 28th March.

Many people were sitting outside on the Market Place enjoying the sunshine and could hear his proclamation.

At the community shop, 25 Bury Street, there was a plant and seed swap.

Under the County Hall, volunteers were offering free bike checks.

In the Guildhall, the ATOM Science Festival was in progress, with children discovering the principles of physics using Lego. (Thanks to Chat Gpt for changing my final picture to look Lego-like.)

Wednesday 18 March 2026, 7:30 pm, St Ethelwold’s House
Learn how to propagate plants and help your garden grow more sustainably.

Thursday 19 March 2026, 6:00 pm, Abingdon Library
Dr Cathy Wield talks about her book Unshackled Mind. Tickets are £2, including a welcome drink, available from Abingdon Library by calling 01865 815005 or emailing abingdon.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Thursday 19 March 2026, 7:45 pm, Northcourt Centre
The Medieval Streets of Abingdon (The Lambrick Lecture 2026). Roger Thomas explores the history and development of Abingdon’s medieval streets.

Saturday 21 March 2026, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, Unit 25 Bury Street
Plant and Seed Share. Bring spare plants or seeds and take home something new to try. There is no need to bring anything to take part. A wide variety will be available, from fruit and vegetables to trees and wildflowers, along with free gardening advice.

Saturday 21 March 2026, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm, Northcourt Centre
Abingdon Horticultural Society Spring Show. A chance to see a range of seasonal displays and local horticultural expertise. Thanks to Janet for sharing the poster.

Saturday 21 March 2026, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, St Michael and All Angels’ Church
Abingdon Concert Band present an evening of music with a nautical theme: All at Sea!

Saturday 21 March 2026, 7:30 pm, St Helen’s Church,
Abingdon & District Musical Society have a concert featuring Handel’s Coronation Anthems, Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, and Purcell’s I Was Glad, along with solo organ interludes.

The first of two Spring concerts by the Abingdon and District Music Society takes place on Saturday 7 March. The programme includes works by Wagner, Suk, and Saint-Saëns.

At the Abbey Cinema on 11 March (6.00–7.30 pm) there is a screening of Gentle Angry Women, followed by a Q&A with the director, Barbara Santi of Folklife Films. The film follows three teenage girls as they encounter the story of the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp for the first time and begin to recognise parallels with their own activism today. Now a nature-rich common, Greenham was once a USAF base housing nuclear-armed Cruise missiles during the 1980s. Many Abingdon residents supported the protests that eventually led to their removal.

Model railway enthusiasts can visit an exhibition featuring over 40 model train layouts, along with traders’ and society stands. More than 4,000 visitors are expected over the two days, on 7 March (10.30 am–5.00 pm) and 8 March (10.30 am–4.30 pm).

The Abingdon Artists Spring Exhibition of recent work opens at St Helen’s Church from 9 March. There will be original work for sale both as part of the exhibition and in browsers. Cards are also available. Members will also be giving demonstrations. Entry is free.

Finally, it is too late for the latest production by the Studio Theatre Club.  ‘Better three hours too soon than a minute too late’ is a quote from their next Abingdon show which is in preparation. The Merry Wives of Windsor will run from 10–13 June, with a script read-through by the cast scheduled for Monday 9 March.