A HOST of exciting events are taking place in Cirencester in the near future.

On top of regular Charter, Farmers’, Arts & Crafts and Indoor Markets, Mop Fairs will take place in the Market Place tomorrow, Monday, October 7, and Monday, October 14.

Fairground rides and stalls will be on offer at the fairs, which are happening from 12pm to 10pm both days.

In light of the events, town centre roads are closed from 4pm today, Sunday, October 6, and on Sunday, October 13 until midnight on the Monday.

The road closures will be managed by the AA, who will be responsible for signage and diversions.

The Monday Charter Market is cancelled.

Dating to the 1100s, the Mop Fair takes its name from its original purpose - a hiring event where servants carried the tools of their trade to demonstrate their availability for work.

In recent years, Mop Fairs have become funfairs for the community to enjoy.

A map of the road closures for the Mop Fairs can be found on the Markets section of the Cirencester Town Council website.

The Big Beer Festival is also occupying Cirencester’s Corn Hall from Friday, October 11 to Sunday, October 13.

Hosted by the Kings Head Hotel, the event will include live music, food stalls and entertainment.

The festival takes place from 7pm to 1am on the Friday, 11am to 1am on the Saturday and 11am to 4pm on the Sunday.

For those planning to attend on October 13, there are road closures in place from 4pm, so vehicles cannot be left in the Market Place.

An Autumn Market is additionally happening in the Market Place from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, October 19 and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, October 20.

This will feature a colourful street market with international street food and artisan grocery foods, as well as handmade and ethically-traded arts, crafts, jewellery, clothing and accessories.

The event is followed soon afterwards by the inaugural Cirencester History Festival, which takes place from Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, November 3 with a combination of free and paid events.

Over 40 talks, family events and community activities cover a variety of local, national and global history.

Headline speakers include Jonathan Dimbleby, Natalie Haynes, Janina Ramirez, Ronald Hutton and Marc Morris.

There will also be a special recording of The Rabbit Hole Detectives with Rev Richard Coles, Dr Cat Jarman and Charles Spencer.

During the history festival period, a Vintage & Artisan Fair will additionally take place at the Corn Hall from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, October 27.

Looking ahead, dates have been released for Cirencester’s Christmas light switch-on and festive markets.

Advent Markets will take place on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1, with the Christmas lights lit on the Saturday.

Road closures will be in place between 5.30pm on Friday, November 29 to midnight on Sunday, December 1.

Arrangements will be the same as with the Mop Fairs.

Christmas-oriented markets will take place in Cirencester on November 24 and December 7, 8 and 15, as well as from December 17 to 19 and December 22.

There will also be a Farmers’ Market on December 14 and a Festive Farmers’ Market on December 22.

Please note that listings may change.