September 2026 | The Mill Arts Centre

We’re delighted to announce the return of our Annual Raffle, as part of our Dance Stage at Banbury Canal Festival! Tickets are just £1 each, with some absolutely incredible prizes up for grabs. So why not take a chance, have a little fun, and support Cherwell’s only dedicated arts and performance venue at the same time? Every ticket makes a difference — and you never know, you could be one of our lucky winners!

What we’re raising money for
All proceeds from the Mill Raffle go directly towards running the Mill Arts Centre and supporting its community programme. As a registered charity, the Mill relies on ticket sales, grants and fundraising like this raffle to keep its doors open and its work going, from staging the 200+ live theatre, dance, music and comedy events it hosts each year, to running one of Oxfordshire’s largest adult creative learning programmes.
Money raised also helps fund the Mill’s community work directly: subsidised tickets, transport and support for residents from Banbury’s most disadvantaged areas and local schools through the Community Connections Tickets; drop-in creative sessions; chair yoga for older people; SPARK Arts & Crafts sessions for adults with additional needs; and outreach and family programming that takes the Mill’s work beyond the building and into the wider community. Every ticket bought helps make sure this work can continue.

Prizes
We’re delighted to have some fantastic prizes donated so far, including:
A family stay at Puy du Fou (France): 2-day tickets plus 1 night’s stay (travel to France not included)
A Kärcher SC3 steam cleaner unit
4 complimentary tickets to Oxford Playhouse’s Snow White (subject to availability, not valid on any Peak Performances)
A family ticket to Upton House & Gardens (National Trust), valid for 2026
4 tickets to Broughton Castle, for a 2027 open day
4 cinema tickets to The Light Banbury
A single day visit for up to 4 people to Fairytale Farm
A family ticket to Sulgrave Manor (2 adults and up to 3 children), valid for the 2027 season
A tour of ProDrive’s headquarters for 2 people

Ticket price
Raffle tickets cost £1 each or £5 per book of 5.

How to buy a ticket
Tickets can be bought in person our Box Office. Tickets are not available online, so you’ll need to visit The Mill to take part.

When the raffle is open
Tickets will on sale soon and remain on sale right up to and including the Banbury Canal Festival weekend, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October.

When and how winners will be announced
The draw takes place on Sunday 4th October, the final day of the Banbury Canal Festival. Winners who are present at the draw will be announced and can collect their prize on the day. Winners who are not present will be contacted by phone or email during the week of Monday 5th October.

Licensing
The Mill Raffle is licensed and run in full compliance with the Gambling Commission’s rules for Small Society Lotteries. It is registered with Cherwell District Council on behalf of the Mill Arts Centre Trust (registration number LOT1055).

As part of our Community Reviewer scheme, we’ve been delighted to work with Mabli Jones, an A Level Photography student, who has photographed Songbird: A Celebration of Eva Cassidy and Voodoo Room. We love seeing how our audiences experience our events, and Mabli’s photographs offer a unique perspective on the shows in our auditorium.

Here’s what Mabli said about being a Community Reviewer:

‘Every time I photograph at the Mill I get a better understanding of the importance of the Mill to the community. All the staff are super welcoming and friendly and so are the bands and the audience.

I had never heard any Eva Cassidy or Jimi Hendrix/Cream/Eric Clapton music but since seeing the brilliant bands perform my interest in their respective genres has blossomed.

I take A-Level photography and that is why I started taking photos at the Mill but its become much more than that, I’ve realized that having an affordable live performance space like the Mill is so important to a community like Banbury with the rise of digital media, it allows people of all ages to meet each other, brought together by a love for live performances and brilliant performers.

The Mill gives me a space to develop all my ideas and showcase amazing bands.’

Have you ever thought about becoming a Community Reviewer?

Community Reviewers have the opportunity to attend selected events and share an honest review of their experience, through whatever medium they choose! You do not need to be a professional critic, content creator or photographer. We want genuine local voices with different interests, experiences and perspectives.

Learn more and apply here!