There are road closures in place for the Banbury Michaelmas Fair 2024.

The fair will take place from tomorrow Wednesday 16 to Saturday October 18 2024.

Following a successful trial last year, the fair will be held across four days, with the event being declared officially open at a ceremony at 4pm tomorrow.

A member of the Wilson family, which owns the fair, will present a giant golden key to Cherwell District Council chairman Cllr Dr Chukwudi Okeke and Banbury Town Mayor Cllr Mark Cherry.

Cllrs Okeke and Cherry will tour the town centre and grant fairgoers free turns on any ride they touch with the key.

The fair will run until late evening on Saturday, with Saturday being family day that will see free street entertainment throughout the day, from balloon modelling to stilt walkers.

Following the end of the fair, the council’s street cleansing team will get to work to ensure that the town centre looks back at its best and is ready for visitors on Sunday.

Councillor Dr Chukwudi Okeke, chairman, said: “I am honoured to be able to be involved in the long-standing tradition of opening the Banbury Michaelmas Fair.

"This chartered event has been a part of the town’s fabric for over 400 years, and I cannot wait to see the smiling faces of our residents and visitors as they soak up the atmosphere the fair brings to the centre of Banbury.”

There will be plenty on offer for fairgoers, from adrenalin-pumping spinning and high-rising and dropping rides to the more sedate like the merry-go-round and cup and saucers. Those with an appetite can grab a snack from the savoury and sweet food stalls.

The fair started setting up in Banbury on Tuesday primarily located in Horsefair, North Bar, Market Place and Bridge Street.

It will run from 4pm on Wednesday, 16 October, until late Saturday, 19 October, opening at midday on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Road and car park closures have been in effect from Tuesday and will stay in place until the fair departs.

Banbury market will not operate on Thursday, October 17 and Saturday, October 19, but will open as usual on Thursday, October 24.

Oxfordshire County Council has reminded drivers that road closures started from 6am today (October 15) on Bridge Street,  Market Place Road,  High Street and Broad Street until 6am on October 20.