[5] Goose Fair was originally held for eight days starting on 21 September, but was moved to early October in 1752, when the Gregorian calendar was first adopted in Britain.

[4] The fair was not held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic,[8] and was cancelled in 2021 for the second year running, after plans for an entrance fee and perimeter fencing were rejected by the organisers.

[5] In 1164, a charter was granted by King Henry II to Lenton Priory, near Nottingham, to hold an annual Martinmas Fair starting on 11 November.

[7] It is recorded that up to 20,000 geese were driven up through Hockley and along "Goose Gate" into Nottingham's Old Market Square,[13] where the fair was held annually for hundreds of years.

[5][12] From an early date, side shows were added to entertain the crowds, and eventually the trade element diminished as transport links improved and annual fairs were no longer essential for stocking up on items from travelling merchants.

[7] The fair gradually spread out into the streets surrounding the Old Market Square, which led to increased congestion, especially with the growth of traffic in the city.

[2][7] The move was highly controversial at the time, but the concerns proved to be unfounded as the new site, which is more than twice the size of the market square, turned out to be an ideal alternative.

[4] Goose Fair is held annually at the Forest Recreation Ground,[17] which is about a mile north of Nottingham city centre.

The use of public transport is encouraged; there are regular trams to the Forest Recreation Ground and buses to the nearby Mansfield Road and Sherwood Rise.

In the run-up to the fair, the 2-metre-high fibreglass and timber statue is installed on a roundabout on Mansfield Road, adjacent to the Forest Recreation Ground.

[24] Magic, a suspended modern-day version of the Waltzer, first appeared at Goose Fair in 2017,[25] and a huge swinging/rotating disc ride called the Giant Frisbee was introduced the same year.

[26] The many family attractions include traditional bumper cars, helter skelters, funhouses, ghost trains, teacups and waltzers.

[24] Conventional fairground food and refreshments are also on sale throughout the fair, including hot dogs, candy floss, doughnuts, and mushy peas with mint sauce.