top of page

OXFORD BEE FESTIVAL

A crowd of children playing in the park. They are running and look happy and excited. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
A group of Miami University students are piled on a bench wearing game day colors of red and white. They are grinning. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
A band is playing at the pavillion at a festival. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
A crowd of people waiting for their food from The Loaded Goat food truck at a festival. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
A photo of a tee shirt vendor at a festival. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
A photo of a group of Miami University students sitting around a park picnic table. They are laughing and looking at each other. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
Multiple booth set up in the road at a festival in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
Toddlers are gathered around a yard game size of connect four. They are standing on tiptoe to reach the top. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
A man is perusing comic book selections at the Future Great Comic vendor booth at a festival. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
A man holding his granddaughter who is pointing at the camera. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
A honey bee sitting on a dandelion.
A crowd of people at a festival sitting at tables enjoying food and entertainment. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
A Lions Club volunteer is pouring beer at a festival. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
An up close shot of the Shademakers Garden Center banner which was set up at their vendor booth at a festival. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.

Join us in Uptown Oxford on April 18, 2026 from

1 PM to 8 PM for a buzzing good time!

Oxford, Ohio has a deep connection to beekeeping, as it was once the home to Lorenzo Langstroth, the "Father of Modern Beekeeping." This festival honors that legacy while bringing the community together for a fun-filled day of music, food, art, and of course BEES!

​

Kick off the morning with the O.A.T.S. & Honey 5K/10K Race along the scenic Oxford Area Trail System, then head into town for a day packed with activities:

​

​🎶 Live Music

🍻 Beer & Mead Sales

🚚 Food Trucks with Honey-Themed Menus

🌼 Bee, Honey & Pollinator Garden Vendors

🎨 Live Art installation - Watch Local Artists Paint Rain-Barrels

🐝 Community Organizations with Bee Themed Activities

🎪 Kids' Corner with Bouncy House, Inflatable Slide, Putt-Putt & More

🎭 Face Painting & Stilt Walking

📸 Floral Arch Photo Op

...and so much more! Whether you're a beekeeper, a nature lover, or just looking for a unique way to spend the day, there's something for everyone at the Oxford Bee Festival. Mark your calendar and come celebrate the vital role of bees in our ecosystem!

Live Music

- feel the buzz -

Bee! The Band
1 PM to 4 PM

Kick off the festival with Bee! The Band, bringing lively energy and a feel-good set perfect for a sunny afternoon in Uptown Oxford. 

Promotional photo of Bee! The Band.
King Bee & The Stingers
5 PM to 8 PM

Closing out the night with soul, blues, and rock vibes, King Bee & The Stingers will keep the party buzzing with their powerhouse performance. 

Promotional photo of King Bee & the Stingers, a band.

come for the bees, stay for the beats

Beer Garden

- sip & savor -

Raise a glass to the bees that make it all possible!🍯🍺

Enjoy a selection of local beers while soaking in the festival atmosphere. Whether you love craft beer or want to try something new, our beer vendors have the perfect sip for you. 

A Lions Club volunteer pours beer at a festival in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
Up close photo of the MisRule Brewing Banner at a festival. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
Photo contains beers and a mason jar drink with honey in it.
Four Miami University students stand in the park Uptown Oxford, Ohio and cheers their beers.

MisRule Brewery

Special Bee Events Selections:

Hive Mind: a cider with honey, pear, and hibiscus

Velvet Buzz: a milk stout with honey, chocolate, and raspberry

Bro Hugs: a hazy IPA

​

Other Selections:

Cradle of Kolsches

On the Shoulders of Giants, a Czech lager

Food Trucks

- a taste of honey -

Get ready our delicious lineup of food trucks
featuring honey-themed menus!

🍯🍽 From sweet treats to savory delights, festival-goers can sample a variety of dishes inspired by the magic of honey. 

​

Expect local favorites, creative honey-infused recipes, and plenty of options to satisfy any craving!

Photo of the crowd in front of donut food truck Little Trolley Donuts at a festival in Uptown Oxford, Ohio .
Crowd of people eagerly away their food from the Loaded Goat food truck at an event in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
Tables of people eating and talking at a festival in Uptown Oxford Ohio.

Food Trucks

Coming Soon!

Vendors & Community Organizations

- all things bees & beyond -

Browse an incredible selection of bee, honey, and pollinator garden vendors offering handcrafted goods, honey products, plants, and more! 🐝🌿

Plus, engage with community organizations hosting fun and educational activities centered around bees, sustainability, and nature. Learn about the importance of pollinators, pick up gardening tips, and support local businesses!

A man perusing comic book selection at the vendor Future Great Comics at an event in Uptown Oxford Ohio.
A group of Miami University students are piled onto a bench wearing game day colors of red and white. They are grinning and look happy.
Line up of vendor booth tents at a festival in Uptown Oxford Ohio
Photo of the Shademakers Garden Center vendor booth set up in an event in Uptown Oxford, Ohio. There are lots of flowers overflowing from the booth.
A hippie vendor van is set up in the street of Oxford, Ohio for an event. There are tables full of repurposed and vintage items for sale.

Vendors:

Coming Soon!

Community Organizations

Butler County Beekeeping Association

This local organization will be bringing a variety of activities and products. The will have educational demonstrations, a bee equipment display, bee suits for photo, and a scavenger hunt, as well as products, like raw honey, infused flavored honey, creamed honey, beeswax lip balm, lotions, and more!

​

Waste Free Oxford

The City of Oxford works hard to make our events as waste-free as possible. Visit one of the Waste-Free tents to learn more about recycling and composting options and to learn more about these efforts in our city. Oxford's Environmental Commission and volunteers lead these efforts! 

​

Age Friendly Oxford & Oxford Seniors

These two lovely community organizations are teaming up to coordinate a bee house craft.

All are welcome to participate and it's free!

Farmers Market

Vendors coming soon!

Take Home Your Own Bee Festival Shirt!

Bee Festival Shirt.png

Oxford Brave Field Hockey will be the official vendor of the Bee Festival T-Shirt Printing! All proceeds go to support Oxford Brave Field Hockey!

Rain Barrels for a Cause!

- painted by local artists -

Visit Shademaker's Booth to vote for you favorite!

Local artists have transformed rain barrels into stunning pieces of practical art for our backyards! Festival-goers can sign up for a raffle ticket at the Shademaker Garden Center Booth and enter it to win your favorite rain barrel.🎨💧

A drain spout running off into a rain barrel with flowers and landscaped garden in the back ground.
A table with people painting. Table has paint marks all over it.

Kids' Corner

- fun for the little bees -

The Kids' Corner is packed with exciting activities to keep young festival-goers entertained!🐝🎈

🎪Bouncy House 🏰

🛝Inflatable Slide🎈

⛳ Putt-Putt 🏌️‍♂️

🎭 Face Painting 🎨

🌷Flower Stilt Walkers 👣

🎯Yard Games ⚽

AND MORE!

Kids are sliding down an inflatable bouncy slide at an event in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
A toddler is blowing bubbles. Photo taken in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
Several kids are playing tag in the park in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
Toddlers are playing yard connect four at an event in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.
A gentleman and someone who appears to be his son or grandson are playing cornhole in the middle of the street at a festival in Uptown Oxford, Ohio.

From buzzing around to playing games, kids will love this fun-filled area designed just for them!

Garden Walk & Bee Mural

- picture-perfect moments -

Capture the magic of the Oxford Bee Festival at this stunning public art and pollinator-inspired display!

🌸📷 Experience a temporary garden installation created by Shademakers Garden Center, complete with blooming plants, garden decor, and places to sit and relax. This walk-through garden guides festivalgoers to the Bee Mural by Joe Prescher, showcasing two must-see Bee Festival features in one immersive experience. In a labor of love, Joe gathered artists and community members to paint this mural. It is a vibrant tribute to our community's deep connection to beekeeping. 

Bee Festival Website Graphics (3).png
Bee Festival Website Graphics (10).png

 Bee Mural by Joe Prescher, showcasing two must-see Bee Festival features in one immersive experience. In a labor of love, Joe gathered artists and community members to paint this mural. It is a vibrant tribute to our community's deep connection to beekeeping. 

Snap a photo, share it with #OxfordBeeFestival, and take home a memory that is sweeter than honey!

O.A.T.S. & Honey 5K/10K

- race through nature -

Start your day - pre-festival - with the O.A.T.S. & Honey 5K/10K, a scenic race along the Oxford Area Trail System!

🌿 Whether you're a seasoned runner or just out for a fun jog, this race is the perfect way to kick off the festival with energy and enthusiasm. Lace up your shoes and hit the trails before heading into town for all the festival fun!

Photo of pre teen boys before a race on the OATS trail. They look fierce and cool.
Photo of a mother and daugther running a race on the Oxford Area Trail System.
Photo of a group of Miami University students who ran a race on the Oxford Area Trail System.
Photo of a runner on the Oxford Area Trail System bike path.
register for the O.A.T.S. & Honey 5K/10K Race

Video directed by the Enjoy Oxford Visitor's Bureau. Special thank you to the Oxford Pub Runners and Joe Prescher for their starring roles!

Join Us!

- call for vendors, food trucks, & community organizations -

We are seeking vendors, food trucks, and community organizations to participate in this vibrant event. Preference will be given to those whose offerings align with our theme-think honey-based products, pollinator-friendly plants, bee-inspired art, eco-friendly goods, and educational displays or activities about sustainability and conservation. However all vendors are welcome to apply!  🐝🌼🍯

Bee Festival Website Graphics (1).png
Bee Festival Website Graphics.png
Bee Festival Website Graphics (2).png
bottom of page