The historic 800-year-old event, which will run this year from September 26 to October 5, is expected to attract thousands of visitors again to enjoy classic stalls, exhilarating rides and all the fun of the fair.
We’ve delved into the archives to look back at memories past and more recent of one of Nottinghamshire’s biggest annual events.
5. Goose Fair Memories
Bulwell care home resident Brenda Walton enjoyed her first ever visit to the Goose Fair in 2023 at the age of 94. Photo: Submitted
6. Goose Fair memories
This remarkable picture shows the crowds at the Goose Fair in 1873 - more than 150 years ago. Photo: Hulton Archive
7. Harry Lee's 'Steam Yachts' swingboat ride, Goose Fair, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, 1968. The Goose Fair was originally held in Nottingham's Market Place for 8 days of October, reduced to five days in 1876. The name possibly comes from the hundreds of geese which were at one time driven from Lincolnshire and Norfolk to be sold in Nottingham. Goose Fair was first mentioned in the Nottingham Borough Records of 1541, though it was probably in existence much earlier than this. It gradually became so large that it spread to other streets in the vicinity and, with the growth of traffic, there were complaints about congestion and disruption in the city. The Fair was eventually moved to Forest Recreation Ground, about a mile north of the Old Market Square. (Photo by NEMPR Picture the Past/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
Harry Lee's 'Steam Yachts' swingboat ride at the fair in 1968. Photo: Heritage Images
8. Goose Fair memories
Wild west girl Florence Shufflebottom entertains the crowd at the fair in 1956 Photo: Submitted