Over the last 43 years the Winchester Hat Fair has transformed from a small locally known event into an International festival, with artists from around the globe.

Crowds join in the fun outside the west front of Winchester Cathedral

The Winchester Hat Fair takes place at every year in mid summer in the centre of England’s ancient capital city. Jugglers, acrobats, the exotic and the bizarre all come together to entertain crowds for the UK’s longest running street  entertainment event.

The streets of Winchester and the Cathedral grounds come alive and the public are invited to participate.  It’s the people’s theatre – dance, fire and fringe acts touring the city over three days.

Part of the Hat Fair programme

The Hat Fair encourages the public to try new activities – juggling, tightrope walking, stilt walking all testing dexterity and skill – a hit for parents and children alike. It’s also very entertaining to watch the concentration on the faces, of those determined to succeed.

First steps on a tight-right need a little encouragement.

Juggling, balance and plate spinning are popular challenges !

Concentration : Keen eye and hand co-ordination are necessary in plate spinning.

Sometimes the tongue aids concentration !

This street artist travelled from New Zealand to perform outside the Cathedral.

A packed High Street on Saturday afternoon.

A huge picnic with Hat Fair acts takes place on Orams Arbour which overlooks the city, just outside the Westgate. Traditionally hundreds of families congregate to celebrate the end of the Hat Fair and soon, it’s goodbye… see you next year… at the Winchester Hat Fair.

Words & pictures : Tony Knight photography & MEDIA