In Oxford, the annual Alice’s Day event marks the anniversary of July 4, 1862, when Charles Lutwidge Dodgson—better known by his pen name, Lewis Carroll—first narrated the story that would become "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland." The celebration, held in the city where the original tale was born, transforms Oxford into a whimsical reenactment of Wonderland for a single day each year.

The event features costumed participants embodying key characters from Carroll’s work, such as Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts, who interact with visitors along bustling streets and shopping areas. This immersive approach engages families and tourists alike, blending entertainment with literary homage in a distinctly visual and interactive format. Alongside the theatrical elements, institutions like the Bodleian Library host free talks organized by the Lewis Carroll Society, offering deeper insights into Carroll’s wider oeuvre and influences.

While the festivities emphasize the playful and fantastical aspects of Carroll’s stories, they also highlight a tension inherent in celebrating his legacy. Carroll’s nonsense verse and narrative inventions remain influential in academic and philosophical circles—his complex use of language and logic has attracted serious study by figures such as Ludwig Wittgenstein. However, the public perception is often shaped by sanitized, popularized versions of his work, including Disney adaptations that reduce his characters to familiar archetypes.

Alice’s Day also raises questions surrounding Carroll’s personal history, which complicates celebration of the author. His known fascination with prepubescent girls, including Alice Liddell and her sisters, is a source of ongoing debate. Carroll photographed some of these children in poses considered provocative by modern standards, though there is no clear evidence of misconduct beyond amateur photography. Nonetheless, this aspect remains a troubling undercurrent, especially given that the event centers around the original 1862 boat trip where Carroll first told the story.

As Oxford embraces its connection to Lewis Carroll through Alice’s Day, the event navigates the challenge of honoring a literary figure whose work is at once revered for its creativity and scrutinized for its problematic elements. The celebration continues to draw a diverse audience, from families and tourists to scholars, reflecting the multifaceted legacy of Carroll’s writings and their place in contemporary culture.