Egremont Crab Fair 2026 Full Guide To Events Timings And Attractions

Egremont Crab Fair returns this September with traditional competitions, family entertainment, sporting events and its famous World Gurning Championships.

The 759 year old celebration is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, with hundreds of people expected to attend the annual event. A packed programme of activities will also take place in Egremont during the days leading up to the main fair, giving visitors several opportunities to take part in the traditional festivities.

The build-up begins with the Crab Fair Queen Disco on Friday, September 11, at Egremont Catholic Club, followed by a clay pigeon shoot at Haile Pond, Carlton, on September 13. A prize bingo event will also be held at Egremont Falcon Club from 2pm that day, while the Steve Foster Memorial Multi-Terrain Race takes place on September 15 at No27 Egremont.

The fairground is due to open on Chapel Street Car Park from September 15, with further activities including the duck race on September 16 at Egremont Skate Park. On the evening before the main celebrations, the wheelbarrow race will take place at Calderwood House, while the traditional pipe smoking competition and a darts tournament will also be held in the town.

Organisers have also confirmed that two mystery celebrities will participate in some of the fair's traditional attractions. Their appearances are expected to include the greasy pole competition and the World Gurning Championships, two of the best known features of the annual Egremont celebrations.

The main programme begins in the town centre, where Egremont Main Street will host a street market, stalls, a fairground and displays of vintage vehicles. The street opens at 9am, followed by the blessing of the fair at 9.30am and a stage programme featuring dance groups, a live singer, the town band and prize presentations.

The greasy pole competition begins at 10.30am in the Market Place, followed by the traditional riding of the boundary at 11.30am. At 12.30pm, the parade of the apple cart will take place, including a minute's silence for Steve Foster before the procession moves the celebrations towards the Crab Fair field.

A free shuttle service from the town street to the Crab Fair field will begin at 12.45pm. The field on Baybarrow Road will then host a wide range of activities, including horse events, dog racing, horticulture, athletics, cycling, fly casting, ferret displays, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling and several novelty competitions.

The Crab Fair field will open to visitors with entry priced at £7, with concessions available. The ticket includes access to the daytime activities and CrabFest, while the programme will also feature the Wilmot's Amusements fairground, dog and duck displays, sporting competitions and a novelty dog show covering categories such as waggiest tail, rescue dog, child's best friend, golden oldie and best trick.

A new Kids Fest area will provide additional entertainment for families, opening from 11am inside a marquee on the fair field. Children will be able to take part in circus workshops involving activities such as juggling and balancing, alongside K Pop entertainment, while special guest princesses and superheroes will be available for photographs.

Outside the Kids Fest marquee, the Kids Arena will offer obstacle races, novelty races and a petting zoo, alongside large machinery supplied by Egremont Young Farmers. One of the more unusual attractions will be a fully insured digger being used for a version of hook a duck, adding another activity specifically aimed at younger visitors.

Sporting events will run throughout the afternoon, beginning with cycling and foot races before moving through adult and youth competitions. The schedule includes 800 metre cycle races, 90 metre heats, crowd races, the Grandma's Race, the Grandad's Race, longer cycling and running events, the Devils Cycle Race, egg throwing and a terrier race. Organisers have warned that timings may change to accommodate other activities.

CrabFest will also return as part of the celebrations, with live music scheduled from Sam Offender, Danny Dunnery, The Kerry Weir Band, The Holburn Hillbillies, The Mustangz Trio, Like Matear, Jamie Williams and US2 Acoustic Duo. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the fair field on the day and also provide access to the other field events.

The celebrations will conclude with the World Gurning Championships at Egremont Market Hall, beginning at 7pm and expected to continue until around 10.30pm. The evening will include junior heats and finals before the women's and men's competitions, alongside horn blowing, hunting or comic songs and a special Crab Fair cake raffle.

Visitors should also be aware of temporary road and parking arrangements around the event. Main Street is scheduled to close from midday on Friday, September 18, until late on Saturday, September 19, while Chapel Street Car Park will close from September 16 to allow the fairground to be installed. Free paper programmes are available from shops in Egremont and Thornhill, with donations towards the running of the fair welcomed.

With traditional competitions, live music, children's entertainment, sporting events and the internationally recognised gurning championships, this year's programme offers a full day of activities alongside the wider events taking place throughout the week. The combination of long standing customs and newer family attractions is expected to make the 2026 fair another major community occasion for Egremont.

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