Banbury Michaelmas Fair 2026
17 October All day
About Banbury Michaelmas Fair 2026
The Banbury Michaelmas Fair 2025 will take place from Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 October 2026 across Horsefair, North Bar, Market Place, and Bridge Street in Banbury 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 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 fair was a hiring fair, the equivalent of today’s employment agencies and online job websites. During what used to be known as the Mop Fair, local tradesmen, craftsmen, 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.
In keeping with a tradition that dates back centuries, the Town Mayor will join the Chairman of Cherwell District Council to open proceedings in front of the Town Hall. He, or she, will touch a ‘Golden Key’ against certain attractions to grant free rides for attending children.
