Nottingham confirms ten-day Goose Fair and expanded resident support

Nottingham’s Forest Recreation Ground will transform into a hub of neon lights and fairground music this autumn, as officials confirm the Goose Fair will return for a full ten-day run. The 2026 event is scheduled to begin on Friday, 25 September, and will conclude on Sunday, 4 October, maintaining the extended duration that has become a staple of the city’s cultural calendar.

Organized through a partnership between Nottingham City Council and the Showmen’s Guild, the fair remains one of Europe’s largest and oldest traveling fairs. The decision to lock in the ten-day format follows several years of successful extended runs, which allow for a more staggered flow of visitors and greater accessibility for families across the East Midlands.

Ten days of attractions at the Forest Recreation Ground

With more than 400 rides and attractions expected to fill the site, the fair typically draws half a million visitors over its duration. The Forest Recreation Ground serves as the traditional home for the event, providing the necessary infrastructure to host high-octane white-knuckle rides alongside traditional carousels and family-friendly stalls.

William Percival, Chair of the Showmen’s Guild (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire branch), confirmed that preparations are already well underway. The Guild works closely with local authorities to ensure the logistics of moving hundreds of large-scale attractions onto the site are handled with minimal disruption to the city’s transport network, a familiar priority for major Nottingham events such as a city-centre celebration. This year’s lineup is expected to feature the usual mix of high-speed thrills and the fair’s signature food offerings, including the famous mushy peas with mint sauce.

Parking permits and vouchers for Nottingham residents

Recognizing the logistical pressure a ten-day event places on the immediate neighborhood, Nottingham City Council is implementing several mitigation measures. The temporary resident parking permit scheme, which was utilized in previous years, will be expanded to cover additional streets surrounding the Forest Recreation Ground. This move aims to prevent fairgoers from occupying spaces intended for those living in the Hyson Green and Forest Fields areas.

In addition to parking controls, the council and the Showmen’s Guild have reached an agreement to provide complimentary ride vouchers to residents living in the immediate vicinity. These vouchers will be valid on selected weekday evenings, serving as a gesture of goodwill for the noise and increased footfall associated with the event. Detailed information regarding the application process for permits and the distribution of vouchers will be sent directly to eligible households in the coming months.

Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, noted that she has attended the fair since her childhood and understands both its cultural value and the impact on local streets. The council is working to balance the fair’s role as a major economic driver with the daily needs of those who live nearby.

Economic impact and regional visitor data

Beyond its status as a local tradition, the Goose Fair represents a significant financial injection for the Nottingham economy. An economic impact report following the 2025 event estimated a total consumer spend of £11.8 million. This figure highlights the fair’s role in supporting local businesses, particularly in the transport and hospitality sectors.

Data from post-event surveys indicates that while the fair is a core Nottinghamshire event, its reach is expanding. Approximately 83% of attendees in the previous year were from within the county, but 17% traveled from the wider East Midlands and further afield. Of the total spend, £7 million was attributed directly to rides and attractions, while £3.5 million was spent on food and drink. Transport costs for visitors accounted for an additional £1.3 million.

Residents and visitors can expect further updates on specific opening times and transport arrangements as the September start date approaches. The council intends to release a full site map and safety guide closer to the event to assist with crowd management and local navigation.

Source: Nottingham City Council