Bridgwater, Somerset · November 7 to 21, 2026
Somerset Carnival (Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival)
Watch fares from to , , , leaving , for in , , on . when .
Finding fares from your airport…
Somerset Carnival (Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival)
When is Somerset Carnival (Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival) 2026?
Somerset Carnival (Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival) 2026 runs November 7 to 21, 2026.
2026November 7 to 21, 2026Confirmed
2027November 6 to 20, 2027By the calendar
How the dates are set: The circuit traditionally starts with Bridgwater on the first Saturday in November, and the other towns follow on set nights over the next two weeks.
See every event in November 2026
Source: bbc.com
Somerset Carnival (Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival) schedule
- Saturday, November 7, 2026: Bridgwater, 18:00 GMT.
- Monday, November 9, 2026: Burnham-on-Sea, 19:00 GMT.
- Friday, November 13, 2026: Weston-super-Mare, 19:00 GMT.
- Saturday, November 14, 2026: North Petherton, 18:45 GMT.
- Wednesday, November 18, 2026: Shepton Mallet, 19:30 GMT.
- Saturday, November 21, 2026: Glastonbury, 18:45 GMT.
Source: bbc.com
Getting to Somerset Carnival (Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival)
- The Bridgwater procession passes through the town center, and the squibbing afterward is on the High Street, where visitors crowd to watch.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Where to stay in Bridgwater
- The Bridgwater date was moved to a weekend so visitors would come earlier and stay longer, perhaps taking in other carnivals on the circuit.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
History of Somerset Carnival (Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival)
The carnivals trace back to celebrations after the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when local groups paraded effigies to the bonfire and the processions grew into carnivals with carts and music. Bridgwater is thought to host the UK's oldest carnival and is one of the largest illuminated processions in Europe. Representatives from several carnival committees formed the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association in 1951.
Source: somersetcountycarnivals.com
Somerset Carnival (Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival): questions people ask
When is the Bridgwater Carnival in 2026?
The Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival is on Saturday, November 7, 2026, starting at 18:00 GMT.
When is the Bridgwater Carnival in 2027?
Bridgwater Carnival lists its 2027 procession for Saturday 6th November.
How many Somerset carnivals are there?
The Somerset County Illuminated Carnivals visit eight towns each November, and Midsomer Norton also takes part as an associate member.
What is squibbing at Bridgwater Carnival?
A squib is a firework held aloft on the end of a long wooden handle called a cosh. After the procession, one hundred squibbers stand in line in Bridgwater town center.
What date does the Somerset carnival circuit start?
The circuit traditionally starts with Bridgwater on the first Saturday in November each year.
What is the Somerset carnival about?
It grew out of celebrations after the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and became processions of decorated carts with music and performers.
Sources: bbc.com, bridgwatercarnival.org.uk, somersetcountycarnivals.com, en.wikipedia.org
About Somerset Carnival (Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival)
Giant illuminated carts parade through Bridgwater and a circuit of Somerset towns each November, ending with a line of fireworks squibs.
Somerset's Guy Fawkes carnivals are illuminated processions of huge carts covered in lights, music and performers. Bridgwater opens the circuit on the first Saturday in November, and seven more towns follow over the next two weeks. After the Bridgwater procession, about one hundred squibbers line up in the town center with fireworks held aloft on long wooden handles. The catch is that each town has its own date and start time, so plan the nights you want.
Know before you go
- Each town hosts its own procession on a different night, so check the date and start time for the one you want.
- In 2026 the Bridgwater procession started at 18:00 GMT.
- Bristol (BRS) is the largest nearby airport, and Bridgwater is in Somerset in the south west of England.
More like this
Every NovemberLewes BonfireLewes, East Sussex
Every February to MarchCarnival of BincheBinche
Every July to AugustSighișoara Medieval FestivalSighișoara, Transylvania
Every AugustSt Stephen's Day fireworks over the DanubeBudapest
Every January to MarchVenice CarnivalVenice
Every SeptemberPálava Wine Harvest in MikulovMikulov, South Moravia
Every JulyBastille DayChamps-Élysées and Eiffel Tower, Paris
Every April to MayMoros y CristianosAlcoy, Alicante
Every March to AprilKuomboka ceremonyBarotse floodplain, Mongu
Every NovemberFiestas de Independencia de CartagenaCartagena, Bolívar
Every SeptemberFeria Centroamericana de IndependenciaQuetzaltenango
Every DecemberFestival de las MáscarasHatillo