The Hereford May Fair will return to the city this year, following a two year absence due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The fair will take place from Tuesday 3rd to Thursday 5th May.
A decision was taken early in the pandemic in 2020 to cancel the May Fair, due to a national lockdown. There were plans for the 2021 May Fair to go ahead and it was even delayed until August 2021 in the hope of the event taking place, but a decision was taken by Herefordshire Council to postpone it due to a rising number of cases in the county at the time.
With heart-stopping rides, side-shows, food stalls and ancient ceremonies are all part of the street extravaganza which is Hereford’s May Fair. The fair has been taking place for over 900 years.
A ceremonial proclamation of the historic St Ethelberts Fair (May Fair) officially opens the fair, offering 12-and-a-half bushels of wheat by the Mayor to the Lord Bishop as payment for allowing the fair to proceed.
The Hereford May Fair takes place on the first Tuesday to Thursday following the first Monday in May.
Opening times:
- Tuesday 3.45pm to 11pm
- Wednesday 12 noon to 11pm
- Thursday 12 noon to 11pm
These are the times between which attractions are allowed to operate. Not all rides will necessarily be open at all times.
