St Giles’ Fair returned to Oxford on Monday and Tuesday, bringing two days of rides, lights, music and crowds to the city centre.
We spent four hours at the fair capturing the atmosphere as Oxford’s streets were transformed by one of the city’s best-known annual traditions. From the classic fairground rides and spectacular views above the rooftops to the crowds, noise and bustle below, this four-minute video captures some of the highlights of St Giles’ Fair 2026.
Watch our highlights from four hours at the fair.
About St Giles’ Fair
St Giles’ Fair is one of Oxford’s oldest and best-known annual traditions, bringing a large travelling fair to St Giles’ and the surrounding streets each September.
The fair takes place over two days and draws thousands of visitors to the city for a mix of traditional fairground attractions and modern thrill rides. The streets around St Giles’ are transformed, with towering rides, colourful lights, music, food stalls and the familiar sounds of the fair creating a distinctive atmosphere in the heart of Oxford.
For many local families, St Giles’ Fair is an annual fixture, while for others it is an opportunity to experience one of the city’s most unusual spectacles. Its arrival also brings significant temporary road closures and changes to traffic and public transport arrangements in and around the city centre.
The 2026 fair took place on Monday 07 and Tuesday 08 September.
