A City for All Seasons: The Ultimate Guide to Oxford and Lafayette County, MS
Peep a leaf. See Santa. Celebrate art. Laze on the lake.
Combining a youthful college-town vibe with an engaging calendar of community events, Oxford offers a year of delights.
Southern? Yes, ma’am. But though summers can get warm, you’ll enjoy a temperate climate, no matter the season, making Oxford a great place to visit or put down roots.
“Oxford experiences all four seasons, absolutely!” says Visit Oxford Executive Director Kinney Ferris. “We have even had snow in the last few years.”
Here’s a look at Oxford and Lafayette County season by season.
In This Article
Winter
The holidays wouldn’t be fun without a little cold weather for you to sport that fuzzy jacket. But with an average winter temperature of 54 degrees, you can comfortably enjoy lots of outdoor fun as well as quieter indoor pursuits.
“Oxford does Christmas big,” Ferris says. “The Square has magical snow globe-like decoration, with a canopy of lights from the top of the County Courthouse that surrounds the buildings of the Square.”
Holiday shopping showcases Oxford’s charming downtown at its shiniest, from clothing boutiques to galleries and gift shops, punctuated with places to grab a snack or relish a feast.
The much loved Christmas Parade, themed “The Twelve Days of Christmas” in 2025, leads the city’s traditions. Thousands head to mTrade Park for ice skating and a spectacular display of lights at Holly Jolly Holidays. Other popular holiday-inspired events include the Peppermint Trail, a path to sweet treats around Oxford, and Shop Oxford, a November kick-off for holiday shopping.
Spring
When daffodils raise their heads, locals’ thoughts immediately turn to “Play ball!” It’s baseball time, and the Ole Miss Rebels, which won a national title in 2022, are in full bloom at Swayze Field.
Next up, the famed Double Decker Arts Festival draws 65,000 visitors annually to one of the Southeast’s premier events. It features art by local and national artists, great music and a bevy of food vendors, offering everything from banana pudding popcorn to burritos and fruity Oxsicles (a locally made dessert).
With its gentler weather, spring is also the ideal time to stroll around town.
“Oxford is very walkable within the city and its neighborhoods, as well as the Bailey Woods Trail from the University of Mississippi Museum to Rowan Oak and the campus trails,” Ferris says.
Summer
We won’t kid you – summer can be hot. But also cool.
“Summer in Oxford is one of the best times to visit,” Ferris says. “We always encourage fall and spring visitors to experience Oxford in the summer during our slower time to get the authentic feel of our local hospitality.”
Dive in at the newly renovated Oxford Swimming Pool, a public facility that reopened in 2025. More rustic swimming is waiting at the 32,400-acre Sardis Lake, which also lures anglers, boaters, campers, hikers and birders.
Summer means good eating, too. Visit Oxford Community Market, open year-round and especially full of riches in summer. Lafayette County Farm Market, likewise, offers “growers, makers and bakers” a place to show their work. Pack a picnic and head to the Grove for the Summer Sunset Series each Sunday evening in June for free concerts.
Also very cool, the Thacker Mountain Radio Hour is a public radio show broadcast live each week that showcases an astonishing array of authors and musicians, with a lineup that has included icons like John Grisham, Willie Morris and Elvis Costello.
Fall
“Fall is one of the best times of year in Oxford. The foliage is beautiful. Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church has its pumpkin sale set up in the churchyard, and the weather is lovely,” Ferris says.
Did we mention football?
The Ole Miss Rebels are among the sport’s legendary teams, whose on-field exploits have thrilled fans for decades. Attend a game, if you can find a ticket, but if not, attend what has been called the “Holy Grail of Tailgating” at the Grove before games. Dress your best and cheer on the Rebels as they process through the Grove to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
For a quieter, but no less iconic Oxford experience, visit Rowan Oak, the historic home of author William Faulkner, especially lovely in the fall. Faulkner lived on the property for 32 years and wrote many of his literary masterpieces here.
Further afield, enjoy a drive to Taylor and explore its unique Plein Air commercial district, home to unique foodie spots like Lost Dog, Grit and Offbeat in General.
Get to Know Oxford and Lafayette County
Want to learn more about living and working in Oxford, MS? Check out the latest edition of Livability Oxford-Lafayette County, Mississippi.