Organisers of the Mere Carnival have confirmed that the much-loved event scheduled for September 13, 2025, will be cancelled. This annual festival, which has been a cherished tradition in the Wiltshire border town for over 90 years, will not take place this year.
The announcement was made via a social media post stating simply: “Mere Carnival is cancelled for 2025. We need support for 2026.” While the organisers have not provided specific reasons for the cancellation, they have scheduled a community meeting at the Walnut Tree in Mere on September 9 at 7:30 pm to discuss plans moving forward.
Mere Carnival is a key part of the Wessex Grand Prix circuit, an established series of carnivals since the 1970s, which includes other notable events like Frome and Shaftesbury Carnivals. Traditionally, these carnivals take place in early September across Somerset, Wiltshire, and Dorset.
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The Wessex circuit is part of a wider tradition of illuminated carnivals in the region, beginning with the East Devon carnival in Seaton, followed by the South Somerset and Somerset County circuits. Among these, the world-famous Bridgwater Carnival, scheduled for November 1 this year, stands out.
The Somerset circuit events continue throughout November, featuring Burnham-on-Sea, Weston-super-Mare, North Petherton, Shepton Mallet, Wells, and concluding in Glastonbury. Despite this year’s setback, organisers and supporters of Mere Carnival are eager to bring it back in 2026, maintaining its important role in the community’s cultural heritage.