As September begins, carnival season is officially underway in the South West of England, heralded by the vibrant illuminated carnival processions that gather thousands of spectators every year.
The festivities ignite tonight in East Devon with the Seaton Carnival, marking the first of many dazzling processions across East Devon, South Somerset, Wessex, and the wider Somerset County circuits. These celebrated events showcase intricately decorated carnival carts parading through town streets, captivating viewers with their creativity and spectacle.
Traditionally, the illuminated carnivals commence on the first Saturday of September. After Seaton’s opening night, excitement will move on through the Wessex and South Somerset areas, culminating in the world-renowned Bridgwater Carnival on Saturday, November 1st. Bridgwater not only kicks off the Somerset circuit but is famed as one of Europe’s largest illuminated processions, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from across the UK and beyond.
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Following Bridgwater, the Somerset County carnival schedule continues with Burnham-on-Sea on the following Monday, Weston-super-Mare on the Friday, North Petherton the next Saturday, Shepton Mallet on Wednesday, Wells on Friday, and finally Glastonbury on the third Saturday of November.
Leading up to these grand events, carnival carts will travel through numerous towns in South Somerset — including Wellington, Ilminster, Chard, and Taunton — and through the Wessex circuit, featuring Frome, Wincanton, Castle Cary, Trowbridge, and Warminster. East Devon will see further celebrations in Colyton, Axminster, Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Honiton, and Ottery St Mary. Notably, the procession in Mere has been cancelled this year.
These carnivals are more than just entertainment; they raise substantial funds for charities and good causes while providing a significant boost to the local economy, truly making them a highlight of the South West’s cultural calendar.
Below is the full schedule of illuminated carnivals across the South West for Autumn 2025:
East Devon Circuit
- Seaton: Saturday 6 September, 8:00pm
- Colyton: Saturday 13 September, 8:00pm
- Axminster: Saturday 20 September, 8:00pm
- Sidmouth: Saturday 27 September, 7:30pm
- Budleigh Salterton: Saturday 4 October, 7:30pm
- Honiton: Saturday 25 October, 7:30pm
- Ottery St. Mary: Saturday 1 November, 7:30pm
Wessex Grand Prix
- Frome: Saturday 20 September, 7:00pm
- Shaftesbury: Saturday 27 September, 7:15pm
- Gillingham: Saturday 4 October, 7:15pm
- Wincanton: Friday 10 October, 7:30pm
- Castle Cary: Saturday 11 October, 7:00pm
- Trowbridge: Saturday 18 October, 7:00pm
- Warminster: Saturday 25 October, 6:45pm
South Somerset Federation
- Wellington: Saturday 27 September, 7:30pm
- Ilminster: Saturday 4 October, 7:15pm
- Chard: Saturday 11 October, 7:30pm
- Taunton: Saturday 18 October, 7:00pm
Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association
- Bridgwater: Saturday 1 November, 6:00pm
- Burnham-on-Sea: Monday 3 November, 7:30pm
- Weston-super-Mare: Friday 7 November, 7:00pm
- North Petherton: Saturday 8 November, 7:00pm
- Shepton Mallet: Wednesday 12 November, 7:30pm
- Wells: Friday 14 November, 7:00pm
- Glastonbury: Saturday 15 November, 6:45pm
Independent Carnivals
- South Petherton: Saturday 13 September, 7:30pm
- Midsomer Norton: Monday 10 November, 7:30pm
Prepare to be enchanted by lights, music, and creativity as the South West’s illuminated carnivals light up the autumn nights in 2025.