St Giles' Fair, Annual traveling carnival in St Giles' Street, Oxford, England.
St Giles' Fair occupies the length of St Giles' Street and features mechanical rides, food vendors, and entertainment stalls of all kinds. The setup takes advantage of the street's full width to create a bustling festival space open to visitors of every age.
The fair began in 1625 as a parish festival near St Giles' Church, originally focused on selling toys and simple goods. It evolved during the Victorian period into the mechanical amusement carnival seen today.
The fair takes its name from Saint Giles and his place in Christian tradition, drawing from centuries of local custom. Today it remains a gathering where Oxford families and students come together each September to enjoy rides and entertainment as a community event.
The fair takes place over two days in September and welcomes visitors to walk through the grounds for free. Individual rides and attractions each have their own payment system run by the operators.
In September 1567, Queen Elizabeth I watched the fair's activities from a window of St John's College across the street. This royal observation reveals how important this Oxford gathering was considered centuries ago.
Inception: 1200
GPS coordinates: 51.75800,-1.26010
Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:41
St John's College
233 m
The Eagle and Child
90 m
Lamb & Flag
87 m
Pusey House
180 m
Taylor Institution
290 m
Upplands runinskrifter 104
272 m
The Taylor Institute, The Ashmolean Museum, and 41 Beaumont Street
289 m
St Johns College, North Range Including Chapel And Hall
211 m
Stone Outside Number 42 St Giles Street
47 m
43, St Giles Street
62 m
53 And 54, St Giles Street
112 m
41, St Giles Street
53 m
St John's College, West Range
228 m
38 And 39, St Giles Street
42 m
Middleton Hall
101 m
39A, St Giles Street
40 m
St Johns College, Canterbury Quadrangle
259 m
42, St Giles Street
55 m
The Judges Lodging
56 m
44, St Giles Street
67 m
St Johns College, East Range
242 m
St Johns College, South Range
254 m
55, St Giles Street
116 m
52, St Giles Street
101 m
45 And 46, St Giles Street
75 m
50 And 51, St Giles Street
96 m
40, St Giles Street
52 m
St Johns College, Senior Common Room
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