Funfairs in Oxfordshire - The Oxford Magazine

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. The fairs were a hiring event, 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 2023

When: 04 & 05 September

Where: St Giles’, Oxford

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 2023

When: 11& 12 September

The Witney Feast will take place on Monday, 11 and Tuesday, 12 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 2023.
Thame Fun Fair 2023

When: 21 to 23 September

Where: Thame Town Centre

Don’t miss the annual Thame Fun Fair that transforms Thame’s High Street for three days in September into a mini theme park with rides, bumper cars and candyfloss. The fair starts on the third Thursday of September, with the Mayor of Thame officially opening the event at 4.00pm.