Fair or wakes
Fairs and wakes represent some of England’s oldest customary gatherings. Originally rooted in religious observance and seasonal necessity, these events developed as essential focal points for trade, community and celebration. Horse fairs brought traders together to buy and sell livestock. Michaelmas fairs around 29th September marked the end of harvest. Mop fairs allowed agricultural workers to seek new employment. Wakes, commemorating parish church dedications, evolved into boisterous festivals combining religious observance with secular merriment.
Both fairs and wakes shaped English folklore and custom, generating their own music, dances and stories. Though many traditional fairs have now transformed into general fun fairs and amusement events, others persist as folk customs, preserving continuity with centuries of English tradition.
By tag
Tuesday 5 October
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Tue 5 Oct 12:00 23:00
Wednesday 6 October
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Wed 6 Oct All day
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Wed 6 Oct All day
Custom, day 6 of 10
Nottingham Goose Fair
Sets off from Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Thursday 7 October
- Thu 7 Oct Ballinasloe October Fair
- Thu 7 Oct Nottingham Goose Fair
Friday 8 October
- Fri 8 Oct Ballinasloe October Fair
- Fri 8 Oct Nottingham Goose Fair
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Fri 8 Oct 16:00 23:00
Saturday 9 October
- Sat 9 Oct Ballinasloe October Fair
- Sat 9 Oct Nottingham Goose Fair
- Sat 9 Oct Tewkesbury Mop Fair
Sunday 10 October
- Sun 10 Oct Ballinasloe October Fair
- Sun 10 Oct Nottingham Goose Fair
Monday 11 October
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Mon 11 Oct All day
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Mon 11 Oct 08:00 22:00
Wednesday 13 October
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Wed 13 Oct All day
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Wed 13 Oct 09:00 21:00
Thursday 14 October
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Thu 14 Oct All day
Custom, day 1 of 3
Pembroke St Michaelmas Fair
Sets off from Main Street (by the Town Hall), Pembroke, Pembrokeshire
- Thu 14 Oct Banbury Michaelmas Fair
Friday 15 October Hunter’s Moon
- Fri 15 Oct Pembroke St Michaelmas Fair
- Fri 15 Oct Banbury Michaelmas Fair
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Fri 15 Oct 17:00 22:00
Saturday 16 October
- Sat 16 Oct Pembroke St Michaelmas Fair
- Sat 16 Oct Banbury Michaelmas Fair
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Sat 16 Oct from 12:00
- Sat 16 Oct Warwick Mop
Wednesday 20 October
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Wed 20 Oct All day
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Wed 20 Oct 15:00 23:00
Thursday 21 October
- Thu 21 Oct Ilkeston Charter Fair
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Thu 21 Oct 18:00 22:00
Friday 22 October
- Fri 22 Oct Ilkeston Charter Fair
- Fri 22 Oct Yarm Fair
Saturday 23 October
- Sat 23 Oct Ilkeston Charter Fair
- Sat 23 Oct Yarm Fair
Sunday 24 October
- Sun 24 Oct Ilkeston Charter Fair
Thursday 28 October
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Thu 28 Oct 09:00 16:00
Friday 29 October New moon
Wednesday 10 November
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Wed 10 Nov All day
Thursday 11 November
- Thu 11 Nov Loughborough Fair
Friday 12 November
- Fri 12 Nov Loughborough Fair
Saturday 13 November
- Sat 13 Nov Loughborough Fair