About the Somerset carnivals

The Somerset Carnivals are highly regarded as the largest illuminated procession in the world.

The carnival procession runs along the Wessex Grand Prix circuit, on to the South Somerset Federation Carnivals circuit, and ends on the largest Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association circuit.

The carnivals on the county circuit take place every November in Somerset, UK. They visit the local towns of Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Glastonbury, North Petherton, Shepton Mallet, Wells, and Weston-Super-Mare.

For more information on all of the carnivals on the three circuits, including dates and times, have a look at the events page.

The Somerset County carnivals are one of the most spectacular events in Somerset today, and Bridgwater carnival regularly attracts crowds of 150,000. Please bear this in mind when you travel to a carnival. It is good to aim to arrive at least an hour before carnival is due to start.

The carnival carts are designed and built by dedicated carnival clubs around the West Country. These clubs have many members who raise money throughout the year, and work relentlessly to achieve the spectacular carnival entries. Each clubs entry then takes part in the carnival parade along with many other entries, putting on a show to the public, and competing with each other to impress the judges. The illuminated carts can be up to 100ft in length, 16ft high, and 11ft wide, and some have 20-30,000 light bulbs.

The events are free, but donations are welcome and money is collected from the public where all proceeds go to local charities. We recommend donating £1 pound per person. The entertainment that you will see is certainly worth a lot more, so please help the carnivals and donate what you can.

Thank you, and we hope you enjoy them. Please help to spread the word about the amazing Somerset carnivals.