Retford Charter Day is back for 2026! Every year, Retford celebrates its royal charter in style, throwing a huge town and country fayre to which you’re all invited.
Retford Charter Day 2026 takes place across Retford town centre and the historic Kings’ Park on Monday 4th May. Entry is free, all-day family entertainment is free, and local council parking is free!
This is looking like the biggest Charter Day on record, with over 100 stallholders, a Market Square jam-packed with rides from the famous Tuby funfairs, many of your favourite Retford businesses participating, and blockbuster entertainment. Fun fact: the Tuby funfairs have been coming to Retford Market Square for over 100 years! You can’t beat the sort of heritage, and you can’t beat their wild rides either.
And from the historic to the modern, for the first year ever, Charter Day will also have a digital event guide – that means you can see every stallholder and entertainer on the map and what time you need to be there. Now you can’t miss a thing! Are you really into pancakes? Look no further to find Madame Crêpe! Want some lovely rompers handmade by Pipstitch? It’s in there! You can even get your potted plants courtesy of Giddy Kippers Plants – there’s something for everyone, so please have a look! To get a copy of the guide visit https://linktr.ee/retfordcharterday.
In the main arena in Kings’ Park, you’ll be able to see the Sherwood Outlaws in a thrilling display of medieval combat covering Robin Hood and Ivanhoe; GoActive Falconry’s birds of prey display; Harworth Brass Band with a marvellous musical medley; Retford’s finest Army Cadets in military drill; Crazy K9 dog shows that your very own dog can compete in, and a fiery pyrotechnic thriller solo performance lined up. Just nearby, there’s free all day kids’ face-painting with a huge thanks to our sponsors at Retford Life.
Over in the performance area, there’s a festival vibe with Kian Butler bringing some Eurovision stardust in the form of his brand new single Butlerhood, the incredible Rock Choir, local Retford band The Giant Hogweeds, the MOB from the Retford Musical Theatre Company, and many more exciting and talented acts. Up in the north field of Kings’ Park, the Sherwood Outlaws will have their medieval camp and archery range; there will be a range of classic car displays; balloon modelling, and you’ll be able to meet the birds of prey outside the arena.
Rounding it all off, the Town Hall will feature a mix of shows from local dance schools, and many of Retford’s friendly high street businesses are joining in the fun, including NexoToys for their grand opening (including free Lego Make and Take), Vintage Bakery (including pop-up pizza offering) and Lynx Black Belt Leadership Academy (with martial arts taster lessons).
The whole event will culminate in the legendary Duck Race – it’s absolutely quackers! We really look forward to seeing you there, and if you’re excited, bring a friend! Let’s make this Retford’s biggest party ever.
Free face painting!
Children can get their faces painted by a professional on the field in Kings’ Park, thanks to sponsorship from Retford Life magazine.
Once they’ve done this, snap a picture of them cheering in front of the specially designed banner on the side of the face painter’s gazebo.
Share your photo using #CharterCheer on Facebook and Instagram for your chance to win prizes to use at local businesses.