Oxford’s traditional St Giles’ Fair is set to take place in the city centre over two days this September.
The annual event will operate on Monday, September 7 and Tuesday, September 8, with doors opening at 11am and closing at 11pm on each day.
The fairground will occupy St Giles’, the spacious thoroughfare situated north of Oxford’s city centre.
Temporary traffic restrictions will be implemented to ensure public safety, with road closures commencing at 12:01am on Sunday, September 6 and remaining in effect until 8am on Wednesday, September 9.
Several roads in the surrounding area will be affected by the closure arrangements.
These include Banbury Road, Beaumont Street, Bevington Road, Keble Road, St Giles itself, Magdalen Street in both its eastern and western sections, Pusey Street, Woodstock Road and Little Clarendon Street.
Parking facilities designated for disabled badge holders will be temporarily unavailable on St Giles’, Broad Street, Keble Road and Pusey Street throughout the event period.
Alternative disabled parking provision will be established at Blackhall Road for those requiring such facilities.
Public transport arrangements will also be adjusted during the fair.
Bus and taxi services that typically operate along St Giles’ will be diverted to serve Broad Street instead.
Historical records indicate the fair traces its origins back to 1625, when it was established as a parish celebration in honour of Saint Giles.
During the 18th century, the event functioned primarily as a marketplace for toys.
The format shifted to focus specifically on children’s entertainment during the early years of the 19th century.
The fair experienced significant growth during the Victorian period, with improvements in transportation infrastructure and advances in mechanical engineering allowing for increased visitor numbers and the introduction of early amusement ride designs.
The event follows a longstanding tradition of occurring on the Monday and Tuesday following the first Sunday after St Giles’ Day, which falls on September 1.
Further details regarding the fair can be found through Oxford City Council’s official events listing.