St Giles’ Fair – a fixture in the Oxford calendar for centuries – is set to return to Oxford this September, bringing two days of rides, attractions and entertainment to the city centre.
The fair takes place on the Monday and Tuesday following the first Sunday after St Giles’ Day (01 September). It has been a fixture in Oxford’s calendar since 1625 and is one of the largest traditional fairs in Europe.
In 2026, the fair falls on Monday 07 and Tuesday 08 September.
Road closures
There will be road closures and diversions around the area from 8.00am on Sunday, 06 to 8.00am on Wednesday, 09 September, to manage vehicles and the safety of pedestrians for the event.
- Banbury Road A4165: Closed from its junction with Parks Road to its junction with Keble Road, except the east side of Banbury Road for access and parking for vehicles exhibiting a St. Giles Fair parking permit.
- Beaumont Street (from St John Street to St Giles): The Pay & Display parking (*d); and Goods vehicle loading bays (*c) will be suspended, except on the south side where parking is permitted for taxis 5 metres from Gloucester Street for 10 metres, and parking also allowed for vehicles exhibiting a St Giles Fair parking permit.
- Bevington Road: Closed at its junction with Woodstock Road;
- Keble Road: Closed except parking permitted for fairground vehicles exhibiting a permit; Residents permit parking (*c) suspended.
- St. Giles: Closed; Pay and Display parking (*d) and Taxi rank suspended;
- Magdalen Street East and West: Closed;
- Pusey Street: Closed from its junction with St Giles to its junction with St John Street – access only to frontages.
- Woodstock Road A4144: Closed from St Giles to Observatory Street, except parking permitted on the east side between Observatory Street and The Royal Oak for Public House for fairground vehicles exhibiting a permit.
- Little Clarendon Street: Closed for its entire length. Access to premises only from Walton Street. This road will be used as an access/staging area for emergency services. The 30-minute permitted parking (*c) and the marked goods vehicle loading bays (*c); and the one-way restriction (*a) will also be suspended.
- Parks Road: Traffic emerging into Banbury Road will only be able to turn right (northwards) away from the city.
- Broad Street: Bus and taxi services will be transferred from St Giles, which will involve lowering the No Access bollards (*a). The goods vehicle loading bays (*c) and Street Traders bay on the south side will also be suspended.
The alternative City through-route for traffic is via Worcester Street, Walton Street, Kingston Road, St.Margarets Road and vice versa.
Drivers are advised to allow extra time for journeys through and around central Oxford while the fair is taking place.
About St Giles’ Fair
St Giles’ Fair dates back to 1625, when it was a parish festival celebrating the feast of St Giles. Over the centuries it developed from a toy fair in the 18th century and a children’s fair in the early 19th century into the major funfair held today.
The fair grew significantly during the Victorian era as improved transport brought more visitors to Oxford and advances in mechanical engineering led to the development of larger and more sophisticated rides.
Now run by Oxford City Council, the fair occupies St Giles and extends towards Magdalen Street, Woodstock Road and Banbury Road, transforming this part of the city centre for two days each September.
