St Giles' Fair is one of the greatest and most prestigious in the country.
Opening times
In 2023 the fair will take place on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 September.
It will be open from 11am to 11pm on both days.
History
The fair is normally held on the Monday and Tuesday following the first Sunday after St Giles' Day (1 September).
The fair dates back to 1625 when it was a parish festival to celebrate the feast of the patron saint, St Giles. In the 18th century it was a toy fair, then in the early 19th century it was a general children’s fair. The funfair grew during mid and late Victorian times.
This was a time when improved means of transport meant that large numbers of people could be brought into the city to attend the festivities. It was also when the forerunners of today’s rides were first developed following advances in mechanical engineering.
