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The Nottingham Goose Fair is Europe’s largest travelling fun fair reaching over 20 acres and encompassing over 250 fairground rides, including 100 for small children.
Run by events company the Mellors Group in collaboration with Nottingham City Council, the festival attracts visitors from across the region, wider UK and even the world. Some 400,000 visitors are expected this year. In addition to the Nottingham Goose Fair rides, food will come in many varieties from Punjabi to Caribbean.
The Goose fair Nottingham is the biggest of three ‘goose’ fairs in the UK with Goosey Fair in Tavistock and Michaelmas Goose Fayre in Colyford, both in Devon.
Nottingham Goose Fair History
The old Nottingham Goose Fair has run for over 700 years and is one of the oldest and most historic fun fairs in the world, with a different offering every year.
Originally the Goose fair Nottingham was called St Mathew’s fair, dating back to Saxon times. In 1164, Henry II granted a charter to Lenton Priory to run a fair during Martinmas. The Nottingham Goose Fair itself has run since 1284.
The Nottingham Goose Fair is Europe’s largest traveling fair and a beloved annual tradition with over 700 years of history. Originally a livestock and cheese market, it has evolved into a spectacular modern event, spread across nearly 20 acres. With over 500 rides and attractions—including 100 just for children—it offers something for everyone, from thrilling rollercoasters to classic fairground games.
Entry is free to the the Goose fair Nottingham, and you simply pay for the rides you choose. Once home to curiosities like performing fleas, the fair has a colorful past, including a historic parachute jump in 1888. Today, it’s one of Nottingham’s most anticipated events, drawing huge crowds of locals and tourists alike.
Whether you’re chasing cuddly toy prizes or enjoying toffee apples and hot chocolate, it’s a festive celebration for all ages. Parking can be tight, so public transport is a popular and convenient choice. The Goose Fair promises fun, nostalgia, and excitement every autumn.
Although it is now largely a fun fair, originally it was an agricultural fair, deriving its name from the large number of geese driven to market from surrounding countryside. It became a fun fair somewhere at the start of the 19th century.
To discover more about the the Goose fair Nottingham, click here.
Goose Fair Nottingham Dates
When is the Nottingham Goose Fair? This year’s fair will run over 10 days between Friday 27 September and Sunday 6 October, 2024.
Nottingham Goose Fair Opening Times
It is open from 4pm to 10:30pm on Monday to Thursday with extended hours at the weekend.
Goose Fair Nottingham Prices
It is free to enter the Nottingham Goose Fair. You can acquire Nottingham Goose Fair vouchers for rides here.
Nottingham Goose Fair Location
Where is the Nottingham Goose Fair held? It is hosted annually on the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham.
Nottingham Goose Fair Parking
You can use city centre car parks or Park and Ride sites. Shuttle buses serve the fair, alternatively you can use public transport (see below).
How To Get There
You can either take the Tram or a local buses 3C, 57, 58, 59, 87, 89, L12 and Calverton by NCT or Trentbarton buses.
Main image: Credit Tracey Whitefoot and Nottingham City Council.
