Hull Fair is right around the corner, and 2023 marks 744 years since Hull Fair was first royally chartered in Hull! Opening this Friday 6 October, and taking over 16 acres of Walton Street car park, Hull Fair boasts attractions from across the country.
This year there are more than 300 attractions, from roller coasters and white-knuckle-rides to hook-a-duck, along with over 80 rides for children, including trampolines, fun houses, helter skelters and mini versions of the teenage rides such as mini Miami, mini waltzer and jumping jack.
For thrill-seekers, new rides for this year include a 10m drop and twist tower, the first at Hull Fair since the 56m Power Tower of 2017 – although this year’s is much smaller. A newly manufactured extreme ride Air Raid will be present too, as well as The Joker, a “Freak Out” ride with the seats facing outwards. Top Spin will also return to Hull after a several-year absence, after being purchased by a new owner.
The official opening ceremony will commence on Friday 6 October at 5pm, with the Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull ringing the bell as is tradition. This year, the ceremony will take place on showman Andrew Harniess’, Sea Storm ride, and prior to the bell ringing there will be a short parade. Starting close to the Tigers Trust arena at 4:40pm, the parade will travel onto Walton Street and then move across to the Sea Storm ride. This will include a pipeband and steam car transporting the Lord Mayor.
The Fair will be open daily from Friday, excluding Sunday. The opening hours are as follows:
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Friday 6 October | 5pm to 11pm |
| Saturday 7 October | 12 noon to 11pm |
| Sunday 8 October | Closed |
| Monday 9 October | 2pm to 11pm |
| Tuesday 10 October | 2pm to 11pm |
| Wednesday 11 October | 2pm to 11pm |
| Thursday 12 October | 2pm to 11pm |
| Friday 13 October | 2pm to 11pm |
| Saturday 14 October | 12 noon to 11pm |
For those who like to keep their feet firmly on the ground, there are in excess of 100 stalls offering games such as bingo, hook-a-duck and darts.
New food and drink offers for this year include bubble tea, loaded hot chocs, footlong fries, and whoopie pies.
A number of road closures and parking restrictions will be in place from 4 October. They can be found here.
Limited parking is available within the MKM Stadium car park, charged at £6 per car. Additional Hull Fair buses will be operating as well as park-n-rides from Priory Park and Humber Bridge car park.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Kalvin Neal said: “Hull Fair is one of the city’s biggest traditions, as well as one of its oldest, and attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year with residents and visitors who travel from further afield.
“It’s something we all look forward to and I have no doubt this year will be no different.
“As always, the council has been working incredibly hard with partners, including Humberside Police to ensure everyone visiting enjoys their usual safe experience.
“I’m honoured to be ringing the bell and declaring 2023’s fair officially open!”
Chief Superintendent Christine Wilson said: “Last year was a great success and we are looking forward to supporting Hull City Council, the Showmen’s Guild, and other partners to ensure everyone enjoys the fair.
“Our teams will be at the fair every day and night to make sure that both visitors and workers feel safe throughout the week. Please come and speak to us to report any concerns or to tell us about your time at the fair again.
“Whilst we really want everyone who visits the fair to have an amazing time, I want to make it clear that those who come and commit crime or antisocial behaviour will be dealt with robustly by my teams to ensure that everyone else enjoys their time at the fair.
“If you have any concerns about anything you see at the fair, please come and speak with the Hull City Council stewards or any of the police officers who will be on the podiums as they are every year.
“You can also get in touch by calling our non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If someone is in immediate danger or there is a crime in progress call 999.”
Did you know: Local tradition states that the changing of the calendar in 1751 led the locals to believe the loss of eleven days affected their fair. “Give us back our eleven days,” was the cry as an enraged mob charged around the streets of Hull, calling for the return of their eleven-day festivities which they believed to have been lost due to the calendar change. The outraged masses got their wish and from that year onwards 11 October, or the Friday nearest to it, became the official date for Hull Fair.
All information correct at time of publishing. Have a great time at the fair!
