The 2026 Ilkeston Charter Fair – full details

An ancient feast of fun: Ilkeston Charter Fair takes over heart of town each Autumn (Credit: EBC)

One of the biggest events of the Erewash calendar returns this month. The ancient Ilkeston Charter Fair that is one of the grandest and most historic street fairs in all of Europe.

The five-day extravaganza of family fun will again see hook-a-duck stalls and candy floss sellers take over the Market Place and surrounding streets – along with towering thrill rides that dwarf the buildings in the heart of town.

The much-loved fair gets underway at 6pm on Wednesday 21st October but it is not until noon the next day that the Mayor traditionally opens it in a ceremony steeped in tradition.

Crowds keen to witness living history will begin gathering from around 10.30am on Thursday 22nd October in front of Ilkeston Town Hall. The proceedings revolve around medieval monarch King Henry III giving permission in 1252 for a fair to be held by the people of “Elkesdon”.

The ancient charter is read out by an official – and as the clock on St Mary’s Church strikes noon the Mayor rings bells to signal the rides have the town hall’s permission to start.

Worshipful guests from across Derbyshire then join Erewash’s civic leader in heading straight for the big wheel and dodgems. Cllr Greg Maskalick, who is this year’s Mayor of Erewash, beamed: “It is a highlight of the civic calendar – and I can’t wait.”

The fair – which has no entry fee – lasted for four days until last year when it was extended to five by allowing travelling showmen to keep rides going over the whole weekend instead of packing up on Saturday night.

The first two hours on Sunday (25th October) – when the fair is open from 1pm to 8pm – will again be designated as a “quiet time” with no lights or music. This is to make the event more inclusive and accessible for little ones, plus children and adults who are sensitive to such sights and sounds.

Erewash Borough Council’s leader James Dawson said as townsfolk prepared to welcome visitors from around the world to the 774th Ilkeston Charter Fair: “The feast of fun is still held in the streets instead of being relocated to a recreation ground like Nottingham’s Goose Fair. It is a monumental task for the council to stage it every year but we are determined to preserve its unique atmosphere.”

Ilkeston Charter Fair is always held just weeks after Nottingham’s more famous one – which was this year plugged in TV ads that went out across the East Midlands.

Cllr Dawson said of viewers who saw the commercials for the 742nd Goose Fair: “Most are probably unaware that Ilkeston fair is an even older spectacle. This year’s is the 774th – and townspeople are immensely proud of it.”