(Image: Gary's Aerial Photography/CAMERA CLUB)
It’s almost time for Yarm Fair to roll into town.
Thousands of excited thrill-seekers are expected to descend on the High Street from this Thursday (October 15) as the annual event returns.
It has been a staple in the town for centuries, dating as far back as 1207 and only being cancelled twice; once during Covid and for one day in 2023 due to a storm.
Yarm Fair 2025 (Image: Gary's Aerial Photography/CAMERA CLUB)
The three day event always proves popular for families on Teesside and beyond, with a string of popular favourite rides returning once again this year.
Here is everything we know about the fair this year so far.
What are the opening times?
Here is the full list of opening times for each day of the fair:
Thursday (October 15) – 6pm until late
Friday (October 16) – 6pm until late
Saturday (October 17) – 1pm until late
Yarm Fair 2025 (Image: Simon McCabe Photography/CAMERA CLUB)
What rides will be at the fair?
The Showmen’s Guild, which organises the event, has confirmed that the Tagada (spinning bowl), the Miami, which rotates a row of seats around a wall, and the waltzers are all returning.
Fair lovers can also expect to see the crazy frog, big wheel, and ghost train back for 2026, alongside a number of children’s attractions including fun houses, a helter skelter, train rides, tea cups, and an inflatable play area.
Here are the rides returning this year:
For adults
- Miami
- Extreme
- Crazy Frog
- Waltzer
- Super Star
- Tagada
- Booster
- Rotor
- Big Wheel
- Dodgems
- Ghost Train
For children
- Fun houses
- Helter Skelter
- Toy sets
- Train rides
- Mini Miami
- Tea cups
- Inflatable play area
Ride prices are expected to be confirmed when the fair kicks off.
Yarm Fair 2025 (Image: Gary's Aerial Photography/CAMERA CLUB)
When are the roads closed?
Yarm High Street will be closed between its junctions with Bridge Street and Bentley Wynd when the fair is on next week.
The road will initially close on Tuesday (October 13) from 6pm until 11pm while the wagons carrying the rides arrive on the High Street.
Yarm Fair 2025 (Image: Gary's Aerial Photography/CAMERA CLUB)
The road will remain fully open on Wednesday before being closed for the fair during the following times:
Thursday (October 15) – 5.45pm until 10.45pm
Friday (October 16) – 5.45pm until 10.45pm
Saturday (October 17) – 11.30am until 11.59pm
The closures and traffic will be looked after by Beacon Traffic Management.
On-street parking spaces will be suspended as the fair will take over the cobbles.
Emergency vehicles and pedestrians will have access at all times.
When is the Riding of the Fair?
The Riding of the Fair is a centuries-old tradition that sees horses trot their way up and down the High Street, in a nod to when the fair was a livestock trading event decades ago.
Yarm Fair 2025 (Image: ugc)
This normally takes place around 11.30am on Saturday – and is followed by the blessing of the fair just after midday.
However, these timings have not yet been confirmed.
What is the weather looking like?
As things stand, it looks like it could be a mixed bag of weather – although similar mild temperatures – across the three days for the event this year.
BBC Weather is predicting around 15 to 16 degrees each day – dropping to around 11 to 12 on the evening – with Thursday expected to have sunny intervals and a fresh breeze.
Yarm Fair 2025 (Image: Simon McCabe Photography/CAMERA CLUB)
On Friday, there is expected to be some light rain and a moderate breeze, although at the moment this looks like it could happen in the morning.
Saturday looks to be the best day of the three, with full sun and a fresh breeze.
As things stand there looks to be minimal chance of rain (below 12%) across the day.
As there are still several days to go, this is likely to change, so keep an eye on BBC Weather, the Met Office, and others for a more up to date forecast.
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Are businesses still open during the fair?
While some businesses close while the fair is on, others remain open as normal.
Here is a list of closures and times that others will be open:
- Osbournes – closed from 3pm on October 13 to 5pm on October 16
- The Keys – closed from October 12 to October 14
- Emerald Nail Spa – closed October 13 to October 18
This list will be updated.