Marmalade Festival returns

21 to 24 April 2026

This year’s programme will go live on Wednesday 25 March at 9am.

We look forward to welcoming attendees and hosts back to Oxford in 2026.

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Explore this year’s programme, share your session and register for a seat here (live from 9am, Wednesday 25 March)

Ticketing

Every year, we ask for feedback - and we take it on board! Last year, some sessions were very popular. While this meant full rooms and happy hosts, it also led to queues and some people being turned away at the door. We’ve taken this feedback seriously and have updated our approach this year to balance access, fairness, and full rooms.

Once the schedule is live, everyone is welcome to book free tickets for the sessions they’d like to attend. This year, sessions will have caps above the room capacity.

What booking means:

  • Booking a free ticket gives you priority access to the session.

  • Booking does not guarantee a seat - arrival time still matters.

  • Donating does not guarantee a seat - but we’d still appreciate it!

On the day:

  • Entry to sessions will be first come, first served.

  • Those with a booking will be admitted first.

  • If the event is not full when the session is about to start, attendees without a booking may be allowed in.

This approach helps us avoid empty seats caused by no-shows, while still prioritising those who have booked in advance.

If you have accessibility needs or concerns about ticketing, please contact us at marmalade@oldfirestation.org.uk. We’re very happy to discuss priority access and will always do our best to support you.

What is Marmalade Festival?

Each year, we at the The Old Fire Station, Oxford produce the Marmalade Festival in partnership with the Skoll World Forum.

Our aim is to help connect people from around the world with global/local, strategic/grassroots perspectives. Our focus is systems change through the lens of people, power and place.

Over the years we have welcomed thousands to explore sessions ranging from interactive workshops to film screenings, networking events to campaign launches. Themes tend to be about the big issues facing our planet: climate, social justice, big tech, colonial legacy, impact measurement, funding and power.

Marmalade has become a destination event with deep local roots and a global reputation. It is a warm space for people doing good locally, nationally and internationally to share ideas and find support and encouragement.

Our Programme

Here’s why we stand out:

🍊 Delegates to the Skoll World Forum use Marmalade as an opportunity to host their own events as part of a wider ecosystem.
🍊 Others from around the world, who are not delegates, come to pick up on energy generated by the Forum.
🍊 Local and national UK organisations use Marmalade as a platform to share their thinking and connect with a global audience.

The festival, which spreads across Oxford, is managed by The Old Fire Station, Oxford; all logistics from event management to catering, and comms to customer service. As an arts centre, we encourage participation, creativity and enjoyment. The issues are serious but can only be addressed in an atmosphere of optimism and joy.

Marmalade Festival is free to attend, though donations are welcome. We can’t wait to learn, connect and develop with you again in April 2026.