The sun came out eventually on March 21, and Retford town centre warmed up for the March Retford Big Market Day with the Farmers’, Craft and Traditional Markets all welcoming residents and visitors alike.
The stilt-walking Easter Bunny was there to wow the crowds and spread some springtime cheer.
He also marked the start of the Retford Easter Egg Hunt which this year involves 15 local organisations.
There are great Easter Egg Hunt prizes from Lindt, Hotel Chocolat and Bettys, with a free Cadbury’s Crème Egg for the first 30 entries. Entry forms are available at all participating locations – all you need to do is find the numbers at each of the following:
Bassetlaw District Council Offices – Market Square
Bassetlaw Hospice Shop – Market Square
Bassetlaw Museum – Grove Street
Edinburgh Woollen Mill - Carolgate
Edi’z Kitchen – Carolgate
Hummingbird Collective – Market Square
Lynx Black Belt Leadership Academy – Exchange Street
Nicole Olivia Cake Design – Bridgegate
Pennington’s Electrical – Carolgate
Retford Arts Hub – Churchgate
Specsavers – Market Place
Ten Green Bottles – Market Square
The Pottery – Market Square
Vintage Bakery - Bridgegate
Wonderland Bookshop – Carolgate
You then enter your completed form in the prize draw box at Edinburgh Woollen Mill on Carolgate.
The Retford Easter Egg Hunt prize draw closes on April 4, 2026 at 12 noon.
The Retford Easter Window Competition also started on March 21, with nine organisations entering window displays. They are:
Bassetlaw Hospice – Market Square
Edinburgh Woollen Mill – Carolgate
Hummingbird Collective - Churchgate
Pennington’s Electrical - Carolgate
Retford Arts Hub – Churchgate
Specsavers – Market Place
Ten Green Bottles – Market Square
The Pottery – Market Square
Plus one mystery entrant
The displays can be viewed between March 23 and April 3, 2026, with judging kindly taking place by Retford Mayor, Cllr Harriet Digby.
Retford Big Market Days’ street entertainment has been announced for the rest of the year, so why not get them in your diaries now:
18th April – Knight of St George
16th May – Circus Skills Workshop
20th June – Stilt-walking Scarecrow & Hathersage Brass Band
18th July – Punch and Judy
15th August – Punch and Judy
19th September – Mr Mouse Stilton-Walker & Hathersage Brass Band
17th October – Stilt-walking Big Bird
21st November – Two stilt-walking elves
See some shop window entrants in our gallery as Easter Bunny takes a turn about town:
19th December – The Frost Fairy, Hathersage Brass Band & more to be announced.
Retford Big Market Days are organised by Retford Business Forum in partnership with Bassetlaw District Council with support from North Notts BID.
5. Easter Bunny in Retford
A visit to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill from Easter Bunny. Photo: Rick Brand