Busking and Street Entertainment

Busking creates a vibrant and exciting atmosphere in Oxford City Centre. To ensure busking continues to contribute to the thriving centre of Oxford we operate a ‘Busking Card’ registration scheme. The scheme sets the standards expected of buskers in Oxford City Centre. The scheme is made up of a Code of Practice which must be adhered to and a ‘Busking Card’ that must be available for inspection when busking.

You can apply for a ‘Busking Card’ as an individual or a group. If you are busking as a group, only one busking card is required providing that the person who holds the busking card is present at each performance.

How to apply for a Busking Card

Step 1 – Complete the Application Form (you can send this by email or post) 

Busking Application Form (430kB DOC)

Step 2 – We require two passport sized photos and two forms of proof of address or identity (one of which to be copy of passport, driving licence or birth certificate)

Other proofs of address include:

• NHS medical card
• Utility bill (dated in last three months)
• Tenancy agreement

Please send applications and supporting documents to Oxford City Council, Environmental Development, St Aldate's Chambers, 109 St Aldate's, Oxford, OX1 1DS or by email to street_trading@oxford.gov.uk.

For further information about how to apply for a Busking Card please contact 01865 252561.

Currently this service is provided free of charge but this is subject to change and a charge could be introduced in the future.

Would you like to be involved in other events in Oxford?

If you are interested in being involved in events in Oxford please visit our Events pages for further information.

How quickly can I get a Busking Card?

We aim to process your application within 14 days of receiving your application. We would advise buskers to apply for a ‘Busking Card’ in plenty of time before intending to perform in Oxford.

Code of Practice

You can download the Code of Practice below. The Code must be adhered to at all times.

Busking Code of Practice (55kB PDF)

Complaints and Noise Disturbances

Buskers create a vibrant atmosphere in the City Centre. However, busking can also lead to nuisance being caused. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 noise from musical instruments in the street may be a statutory nuisance. We can take legal action to stop the noise and stop or restrict it happening again. This includes seizing musical instruments and amplification equipment.

If you find that you are being disturbed by buskers you can report the nuisance in the following ways:  

 Report noise problems online

Telephone: 01865 249811

Telephone Thames Valley Police on 101 for matters relating to obstruction of the street and offensive behaviour.

Page last reviewed 1 May 2012