All the funfairs in Oxford and across Oxfordshire
Funfairs have been a fixture of Oxfordshire life for hundreds of years, bringing colour, excitement, and community spirit to our towns.
Oxford’s St Giles’ Fair is perhaps the most famous, dating back to 1625 when it began as a parish festival in honour of St Giles, Oxford’s patron saint.
Today, it still takes over St Giles’ in the city centre each September, drawing crowds for two days of rides, stalls, and celebrations on the Monday and Tuesday following the first Sunday after St Giles’ Day (01 September).
Across the county, many of our traditional fairs have even deeper roots. After the Black Death of 1348–49 created huge labour shortages, towns began hosting hiring fairs — the equivalent of today’s employment agencies and online job websites of their day.
Known as Mop Fairs, these events saw traders, farmers, craftspeople, labourers, and servants gather in search of new employment opportunities. With contracts running from October to October, the fair was a chance to secure your livelihood for the year ahead.
While the purpose has changed, the spirit of these fairs lives on. They remain places to come together, celebrate local tradition, and enjoy unforgettable days of fun.
St Giles’ Fair 2026
St Giles’ Fair is one of the most prestigious and long-standing fairs in the country, dating back to 1625 as a parish festival celebrating the feast of St Giles – it is held on the Monday and Tuesday following the first Sunday after St Giles’ Day (01 September). Over the centuries, it has evolved from a toy and children’s fair to a large-scale funfair, drawing huge crowds for two days of traditional rides, games, and festivities each September.
Discover more: All the fun of the fairs
Witney Feast 2026
One of Witney’s oldest traditions returns this September! With origins dating back nearly 800 years, the Witney Feast was established to commemorate the rededication of St Mary’s Church. Today, it has become a cherished annual celebration in the town, bringing the community together for a lively celebration of local food, drink, entertainment and family-friendly fun in the heart of Witney.
Thame September Street Fair 2026
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. Get ready for three days of rides, thrills, treats and family fun as the annual fair lands on the High Street. From dodgems and waltzers to hot dogs and candy floss, there’s something for everyone.
Abingdon Michaelmas Fair 2026
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 2026
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 2026
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 including rides, games, food and more, spread across Horsefair, North Bar, Market Place, and Bridge Street in the town centre. The fair will open from 3.00pm to 11.00pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and from noon to 9.00pm on the Sunday
The post All the fun of the fairs in Oxford and across Oxfordshire appeared first on The Oxford Magazine.
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