All the funfairs in Oxford and across Oxfordshire
Funfairs have been a fixture of life in Oxford and across Oxfordshire for hundreds of years.
St Giles’ Fair in Oxford is one of the greatest and most prestigious in the country – dating back to 1625 when it was a parish festival to celebrate the feast of the patron saint, St Giles. It is held on the Monday and Tuesday following the first Sunday after St Giles’ Day (01 September).
Across Oxfordshire’s towns, the historic street fairs have origins in the shortage of labour following the Black Death of 1348/9. These fairs were hiring events, the equivalent of today’s employment agencies and online job websites.
During what used to be known as the Mop Fair, local traders and craftspeople, labourers, farmers and servants came into town to look for new employment.
Back in those days, seasonal employment ran from October to October, so everyone came into town with high hopes of gaining a new employer and securing their income for the year ahead.
St Giles’ Fair 2024
St Giles’ Fair is one of the greatest and most prestigious in the country. The fair dates back to 1625 when it was a parish festival to celebrate the feast of the patron saint, St Giles, and is held on the Monday and Tuesday following the first Sunday after St Giles’ Day (01 September).
Discover more: All the fun of the fairs
Witney Feast 2024
The Witney Feast will take place on Monday, 16 and Tuesday, 17 September, at its historic home on The Leys in Witney. Star Flyer, Space, Superstar, Extreme, Jumping Frogs, Dominator, Stargate – these are some of the rides you’re likely to encounter at Witney Feast in 2024.
Thame Fun Fair 2024
Don’t miss the annual Thame Fun Fair that transforms Thame’s High Street into a mini theme park with rides, bumper cars and candyfloss for three days in September . The fair starts on the third Thursday of September, with the Mayor of Thame officially opening the event at 4.00pm.
Abingdon Michaelmas Fair 2024
The Abingdon Michaelmas Fair is the longest street fair in Europe, running from Market Place, through the High Street, The Square and the entire length of Ock Street. It takes place annually on the Monday and Tuesday falling first before the 11 October from noon to 11.00pm on both days.
Abingdon Runaway Fair 2024
The Abingdon Runaway Fair is a smaller funfair that takes place on the Monday, one week after the Abingdon Michaelmas Fair in October. This hiring fair was held specifically so those hired at the earlier Michaelmas Fair and had found their conditions intolerable could quite literally “run away”, i.e. return back for another try at finding suitable paid work before the winter set in.
Banbury Michaelmas Fair 2024
The Banbury Michaelmas fair has been a fixture of the life of the town for hundreds of years. The annual attraction will run as a four day event this year, thanks to a one year trial being agreed with the council following a request from the funfair organisers.
The post All the fun of the fairs in Oxford and across Oxfordshire appeared first on The Oxford Magazine.
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