Skip to content

Everything you need to know about carnival season

Clara BullockSomerset
News imageBBC A carnival cart is going through Shepton at night. It is lit up and says Brunel on the front. Some people in orange high-visibility outfits are standing nearby.BBC
Shepton Mallet carnival will take place on 18 November

Clubs across the south west are gearing up for this year's carnival season.

The West Country carnival circuits are an annual celebration, usually around bonfire night, dating back to the gunpowder plot of 1605. Carnival clubs across the region spend all year making carts for the parades.

Frome and Wellington in Somerset will host their carnivals on 26 September, with the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival taking place on 7 November.

We have put together a guide of the upcoming carnivals in the south west.

News imageA Ramblers Carnival Club float driving down a road in Bridgwater. The float is lit up with blue, yellow and green colours. There are several carnival performers at the front of the float and some people walking alongside it. The word "RAMBLERS" is written at the bottom front of the float. There are people gathered on the side of the pavement watching the float go by.
The Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival will be on 7 November this year

South Somerset Federation

Ilminster-based carnival club Harlequin, which was formed in 1973, will be starting its circuit at Wellington Carnival, which is part of the South Somerset Federation.

Scott Hooper, secretary at Harlequin Carnival Club, said preparations are going well.

"Our membership is now over 100 strong so we have plucked together and built what we hope is a cart we can be proud of, and we look forward to seeing both the judges' and general public's reception of it - it is certainly evocative."

Paul Goodyer, chairman at Wellington Carnival, said: "We're just waiting for the big day, everything has been done for carnival day.

"What I'm looking forward to is seeing the smiling faces, see the hard work of the clubs come together and seeing everybody really enjoying themselves and hopefully raising as much money as we can for our local groups."

The dates for this circuit include:

  • Wellington Saturday 26 September, 19:30 BST
  • Ilminster Saturday 3 October, 19:15 BST
  • Chard Saturday 10 October, 19:30 BST
  • Taunton Saturday 17 October, 19:30 BST
News imageA lit up carnival cart with four people standing on it. They are holding up their arms and laughing.
Carnival clubs across the south west are gearing up for the circuits

Wessex Circuit

The South Somerset Federation is not the only circuit starting this week - the Wessex Circuit features towns across Somerset, Wiltshire, and Dorset, such as Trowbridge, Frome, and Mere.

This year, Frome Carnival was nearly cancelled, before last-minute funding was secured.

Meanwhile, Trowbridge Carnival, which dates back 125 years, can only return in 2027 if enough money is raised.

The Wessex Circuit dates include:

  • Frome Saturday 26 September, 19:00 BST
  • Shaftesbury Saturday 3 October, 19:15 BST
  • Gillingham Saturday 10 October, 19:15 BST
  • Wincanton Friday 16 October, 19:30 BST
  • Castle Cary Saturday 17 October, 19:00 BST
  • Trowbridge Saturday 24 October, 19:00 BST
  • Warminster Saturday 31 October, 18:45 BST
News imageA lit up carnival cart during a procession in 1985. Dancers are standing on the cart, dressed in colourful suits. There is a big crowd watching.
The Somerset carnival tradition has been going strong for centuries

Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association

What is thought to be the UK's oldest carnival is celebrated in Bridgwater, which is also one of the largest illuminated processions in Europe.

Organisers estimate Bridgwater alone brings in about £4m to the local economy.

However, Bridgwater is not the only Guy Fawkes Carnival in the south west:

  • Bridgwater Saturday 7 November, 18:00 GMT
  • Burnham-on-Sea Monday 9 November, 19:00 GMT
  • Weston-super-Mare Friday 13 November, 19:00 GMT
  • North Petherton Saturday 14 November, 18:45 GMT
  • Shepton Mallet Wednesday 18 November, 19:30 GMT
  • Wells Friday 20 November, 19:00 GMT
  • Glastonbury Saturday 21 November, 18:45 GMT

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More on this story