The 2026 Somerset Illuminated Carnivals are officially accepting entries, with clubs enthusiastically sending in their applications to join this beloved regional event. A streamlined, standardised entry form allows participants to easily register for all eight affiliated carnivals, including Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Weston-Super-Mare, North Petherton, Midsomer Norton, Shepton Mallet, Wells, and Glastonbury.
Traditionally, the carnival season kicks off on the first Saturday in September, starting with the illuminated carnivals in East Devon—beginning in Seaton—and continues through the Wessex, South Somerset, and Somerset County circuits. The highlight is the world-famous Bridgwater Carnival, set this year for Saturday, November 7.
Last year’s carnivals gained international attention when Globe Carnival Club’s ‘Jesters Haunt’ float went viral on TikTok, drawing tens of millions of views and showcasing the extraordinary creativity of Somerset’s carnival carts. The application period for carnival entries is open annually from July 1 to September 1.
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In 2025, the prestigious County Cup was shared between Huckyduck Carnival Club and Ramblers Carnival Club, who dominated all seven county carnivals. Huckyduck’s ‘Scarecrow Partea’ won the tableau class at every procession, securing the Starkey Cup for the fourth consecutive year—a remarkable achievement. Ramblers Carnival Club’s ‘1912 – All Out’ float swept the feature class at every event, earning them a well-deserved share of the trophy.
The Somerset carnival circuit begins with Bridgwater on the first Saturday of November, followed by events in Burnham-on-Sea, Weston-Super-Mare, North Petherton, Shepton Mallet, Wells, and concludes with Glastonbury on the third Saturday of November.
Leading up to this, illuminated carts will grace additional parades across South Somerset, Wessex, and East Devon, including towns like Wellington, Ilminster, Chard, Taunton, Mere, Frome, and Seaton, among others.
Here are the key dates for the 2026 illuminated carnivals across the South West:
East Devon Circuit
- Seaton: Saturday 5 September, 8:00pm
- Colyton: Saturday 12 September, 8:00pm
- Axminster: Saturday 19 September, 8:00pm
- Sidmouth: Saturday 26 September, 7:30pm
- Budleigh Salterton: Saturday 3 October, 7:30pm
- Ottery St. Mary: Friday 16 October, 8:00pm
- Honiton: Saturday 24 October, 7:30pm
Wessex Grand Prix
- Mere: Saturday 19 September, 7:30pm
- Frome: Saturday 26 September, 7:00pm
- Shaftesbury: Saturday 3 October, 7:15pm
- Gillingham: Saturday 10 October, 7:15pm
- Wincanton: Friday 16 October, 7:30pm
- Castle Cary: Saturday 17 October, 7:00pm
- Trowbridge: Saturday 24 October, 7:00pm
- Warminster: Saturday 31 October, 6:45pm
South Somerset Federation
- Wellington: Saturday 26 September, 7:30pm
- Ilminster: Saturday 3 October, 7:15pm
- Chard: Saturday 10 October, 7:30pm
- Taunton: Saturday 17 October, 7:00pm
Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association
- Bridgwater: Saturday 7 November, 6:00pm
- Burnham-on-Sea: Monday 9 November, 7:30pm
- Weston-Super-Mare: Friday 13 November, 7:00pm
- North Petherton: Saturday 14 November, 7:00pm
- Shepton Mallet: Wednesday 18 November, 7:30pm
- Wells: Friday 20 November, 7:00pm
- Glastonbury: Saturday 21 November, 6:45pm
Independent Carnivals
- South Petherton: Saturday 12 September, 7:30pm
- Midsomer Norton: Monday 16 November, 7:30pm
Recognised as one of the largest illuminated processions in Europe, these carnivals attract tens of thousands of visitors from across the UK and beyond each year. They not only provide spectacular entertainment but also raise considerable funds for local charities and contribute significantly to Somerset’s economy.
For visitors travelling from afar, accommodation options abound across the South West, from idyllic countryside retreats near Bath to quaint cottages in the Cotswolds and the scenic Quantocks. These stays offer the perfect base to explore the rich heritage and vibrant festival atmosphere Somerset has to offer during carnival season.