Hirson's Foire de Sainte-Catherine 2026: 261 editions, and it never once asked my opinion

Older than me, and doing it on purpose

Very few things in the Aisne are older than I am. I keep an eye on them. Hirson's Foire de Sainte-Catherine has reached its 261st edition, which is frankly provocative.

I forgive it, because it has the decency to last nine days: from Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 November 2026. Nine days is long enough that nobody has an excuse. It is also long enough for half the family to pick the wrong Saturday. There are two, and they are nothing alike. I will separate them, since nobody else will.

Saturday 21: the rides, and children who have already worked it out

At 16:00, the funfair is officially opened. In late November, in the Thiérache, the light goes early, and I have stopped asking the sky for anything at this time of year. The poster mentions "Pat'Patrouille", the French name for Paw Patrol. I do not know who will turn up in costume, and I am not going to make it up. Your children already know, and they will remind you every ten minutes until 16:00.

For that Saturday, the programme stops there: no closing time, no list of rides, no prices. I would rather leave a gap in my article than put an invented figure in your budget.

Wednesday 25: the day for parents who plan ahead

Entry to the fair is free and open to all. For walking around. The rides cost money, and here is the proof in black and white: Wednesday 25 November is billed as a "tarif réduit, journée spéciale", a special reduced-price day. No amount, no times.

My advice, delivered in the tone of an order: if you have children and a budget, go on Wednesday 25th. On other days, bring change. And do not tell me on the 30th that nobody warned you. I will have warned you. In writing.

Friday 27: two cellos to recover

That Friday, with no connection whatsoever to the fair, the Concerts de poche series offers a baroque cello duo at 20:30. €10 or €2, and free for workshop participants. The venue is not given: ask when you book.

A week of fairground music, then two baroque cellos. If that seems inconsistent to you, you are not yet old enough to like everything at once. I am.

Saturday 28: stalls in the morning, horses in the afternoon

At 11:00, the market fair opens. At 15:30, the 31st Vitrine du Cheval de Trait. You can choose. You can also do both, which I recommend to people with good shoes and no afternoon appointments.

What has not been published: who exhibits, how the horse show runs, or where exactly. No street, no map. One call to +33 3 23 58 81 33 settles it. Yes, you will have to phone. It does not hurt, and it is faster than driving round Hirson asking passers-by where the horses are.

Sunday 29: reserved for latecomers

No particular programme has been published for the last day. So it is the Sunday for everyone who has been "meaning to pop in" since the 21st. I will name nobody. They will recognise themselves.

Two hundred and sixty-one editions. The fair has never needed me to keep going, and it has no plans to start. I find that vexing, and perfectly normal.

The short version

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• Dates

  Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 November 2026 (261st edition).

• Published programme

  Saturday 21 at 16:00: funfair opening. Wednesday 25: reduced prices, special day. Saturday 28 at 11:00: market fair opening; at 15:30: 31st Vitrine du Cheval de Trait (draught horse show).

• Prices

  Free entry, open to all. Ride prices and the reduced-price amount: not published.

• Where and when

  Exact locations and opening hours not published. Information: +33 3 23 58 81 33.

• Nearby

  Concerts de poche, Friday 27 November at 20:30, €10 or €2. More ideas: Hirson on NLocale and this weekend in Hirson.

What people ask me

Tata Nadège, the well-known aunt who knows everything, for NLocale. You keep the territory alive; Tata Nadège makes it known.