Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival opens the Somerset November carnival circuit on Saturday 7 November 2026, with the illuminated procession setting off at 6pm. Local carnival clubs build and perform the carts, and the biggest stretch to around 100 feet in length, lit up against the dark November streets.
What happens
The procession is the centre of the evening, but the carnival fills the whole day. Bridgwater Carnival Day brings a full day of free entertainment to the town before the carts roll out. After the procession comes squibbing, the local tradition that closes carnival night.
Grandstands are placed around the procession route. There are 12 of them, every seat costs £32 per person, and they open at 5pm. Ticket holders should be in their seats by 5.45pm. Coach parking for 2026 can be booked online too.
Visitor information
Dates: Saturday 7 November 2026. The procession starts at 6pm.
Cost: Grandstand seats are £32 per person. Carnival Day entertainment is free.
Getting there: The procession runs through the town centre, and roads close for it. The carnival website has pages on the route, parking and road closures, worth reading before you set off.
Family friendly: Yes. Carnival Day entertainment during the day suits children, and the procession is a long, bright evening show.
Where to stay
Bridgwater is the carnival town, and rooms nearby are worth booking early for the first Saturday of November. Browse places to stay near Bridgwater.
