Bridgwater’s world famous carnival kicks off Somerset’s carnival season this weekend- with more than one hundred thousand people expected to line the streets.
A spectacular illuminated procession will snake its way through the town, and individuals and carnival clubs will compete for the top spot in a number of categories.
The event is one of the oldest of its kind in the world, dating back to 1881. Its roots trace back to the Guy Fawkes Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
The carnival is run by volunteers, and raises thousands of pounds for local charities every year. Many clubs spend most of the year building their carts.
More than 500,000 individual lightbulbs were used to light up carts in 2024.
When is Bridgwater Carnival taking place?
The Carnival procession starts at 6pm on Saturday 1 November, but a full programme of street entertainment will be available throughout the town from 10.30am.
The procession is expected to finish at around 7:45pm. Afterwards a unique firework display called “squibbing” is held on Bridgwater High Street. Here, more than two hundred pounds of gunpowder will be ignited, shooting a fiery storm of red-hot sparks into the night sky. More on this below.
WATCH: In 2004 ITV News was invited to the Gremlins Carnival Club’s shed, where volunteers worked through the night to finish their spectacular Rio-themed cart.
What roads will be closed for Bridgwater Carnival?
All of Bridgwater’s town centre roads will close from 8am on Saturday 1 November. Grandstand area roads will be closed from 1pm.
Other roads leading into Bridgwater will close from 4pm- ahead of the main procession.
This year, the Taunton Road junction will be closed to all traffic from 4pm until 8:30pm.
Organisers say all roads will reopen as soon as it’s safe to do so.
Traffic congestion in and around the area is highly likely.
Full details here.
Where can I park?
Ten official Bridgwater Carnival car parks are available across the town at supermarkets, schools and fields.
This year the car park at Bridgwater Hospital is not available for Carnival visitors.
Car parks are manned by volunteers and have varying opening times. All close by midnight.
It costs £10 to park a car and £20 to park a minibus.
Park and Ride services are also available from M5 Junctions 23 and 24, which costs £17 per car and £30 per minibus.
Check the Bridgwater Carnival website for more information.
Can I bring my dog to Bridgwater Carnival?
Bridgwater Carnival is an extremely busy event. Organisers ask that visitors do not bring dogs or animals unless they are for assistance purposes.
How’s the weather looking?
The Carnival goes ahead whatever the weather. This year, conditions are looking sunny, cold and with a few showers.
The Met Office predicts: “A day of sunny spells and scattered showers, heavy at times, though these not as frequent as Friday.
“Staying breezy and feeling less mild. Maximum temperature 14°C.”
How to watch Bridgwater Carnival online
For those unable to make it to Bridgwater for the big night, the Carnival Procession is being streamed online from 7pm.
The Squibbing Display at the 2024 Bridgwater Carnival.
What is squibbing?
Squibbing, unique to Bridgwater, is a firework display where lots of large fireworks, or “squibs” are fired simultaneously from the end of long poles. These are large fireworks filled with gunpowder and metallic elements.
Around 150 “squibbers” are involved, typically carnival club members. They’ll line the Bridgwater High Street (in a line of two wide) and all light their squibs at the same time.
The display will start 30 minutes after the last procession entry crosses the finish line.
Squibbers must wear protective clothing and helmets as they are directly below the powerful shower of sparks. Members of the public are warned that squibbing is viewed entirely at their own risk.
Somerset’s Carnival Circuit
Bridgwater is the first carnival on the Guy Fawkes circuit, organised by The Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association:
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Bridgwater: Saturday 1st November 2025, 6pm
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Burnham on Sea: Monday 3rd November 2025, 7.30pm
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Weston Super Mare: Friday 7th November 2025, 7pm
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North Petherton: Saturday 8th November 2025, 7pm
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Midsomer Norton: Monday 10th November 2025, 7.30pm
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Shepton Mallet: Wednesday 12th November 2025, 7.30pm
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Wells: Friday 14th November 2025, 7pm
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Glastonbury: 15th November 2025, 6.45pm
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