Masham Sheep Fair

Masham Sheep Fair A Celebration of Yorkshire’s Farming Heritage.

Located in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, Masham is home to one of England’s largest and most beautiful market squares, long celebrated for its historic sheep sales — where up to 70,000 sheep were once sold each year.

Today, the Masham Sheep Fair proudly commemorates this rich agricultural tradition. The event fills the town with family-friendly entertainment, sheep shows, craft stalls, music, and plenty of Yorkshire charm. Each year, the fair also raises significant funds for local charities, making it a highlight of the regional calendar.

Masham Sheep Fair

Masham Sheep Fair

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Masham Sheep Fair will take place Saturday 27th and and SUNDay 28th September 2025

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Farmers – please note these dropping off points to reduce congestion during set up.

About Masham sheep fair

​Masham boasts one of the largest and finest market squares in England, famous for its sheep sales where in the past as many as 70,000 sheep were sold each year.

The popular Masham Sheep Fair commemorates these times, raising much money for charity, and filling the town with sheepy fun and entertainment. Masham is a wonderful market town which is worth visiting at any time of year, as well as during the Sheep Fair! It’s also a great base for exploring the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

Events include an action packed programme on  both Saturday and Sunday, with sheep showing, Sheep Racing, Craft Market, Bishop Blaize Procession, Fleece Stalls, Sheepdog Demonstrations, Hand Bell Ringers, Morris Dancers, Art Exhibition and Tours of Theakstons & Black Sheep Breweries, as well as a small Children’s Fair. The theme for the flower display in St. Mary’s Church will be “A Harvest of Fruit”.

Over 30 years of the sheep fair

Susan Cunliffe-Lister and a band of willing volunteers started the Sheep Fair over 30 years ago. It was intended as a one-off to raise money for farmers in Africa – Sheep Aid. We raised £7,950 and it was decided to make It an annual event, raising money for local charities. Since then we have raised £158,700 for Yorkshire charities. We kept going through the two Foot & Mouth affected years with ‘scarecrow shepherds and sheep’. We used to have a sale of rare breeds on the Sunday but the biosecurity after the foot & mouth outbreak made this too difficult. This led to new activities such as the very popular sheep racing, sheepdog display with the ducks and the Sheep Show, sponsored by Black Sheep Brewery. ​