If you’ve been to Bridgwater Carnival before you’ll know what to expect - a spectacularly dazzling show, an exciting party atmosphere. If you haven’t been before, you’re in for a treat and a half! For one night only, the streets of Bridgwater come alive with a scintillating illuminated procession of over 50 decorated carnival floats, followed by a unique firework display known as ‘squibbing’.
After Notting Hill, Bridgwater Carnival is the biggest illuminated carnival in the UK, and the whole of Europe. It’s held on the first Saturday in November every year – so for 2025 it’s on November 1st, marking the start of the carnival circuit in the West Country. People flock to this rural Somerset town in their thousands to watch this – from all over the world, so it’s a good job that the show still goes on no matter what the weather’s doing. Being a part of it is an amazing experience, it’s like one big happy party – the lights, the music, the cheering, there’s such a fantastic air all over town.
The origins of Bridgwater Carnival date back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, making it the oldest carnival in the UK. After Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators were caught and dealt with, King James 1st declared that Nov 5th should always be commemorated with the lighting of bonfires - a custom which has survived well to this day. Perhaps because Bridgwater was a strongly protestant town, the merrymaking went ahead on a larger scale and grew over the centuries to the extravaganza it is today.
The procession stretches over 2 miles and starts moving at 6 pm, taking about 2 hours to pass any given point on the route. And what a sight it is! Over 50 floats (or carts, as they’re traditionally called) are steered slowly through the streets, some up to 100ft long, all themed and decorated, with music and dancers or players in tableaux – imagine that, keeping still for 2 hours! It’s estimated that around 300,000 light bulbs are used on the floats, so the skies above the town are aglow, something that can be seen for miles around. As well as the carts there are marching bands, majorettes, walking entries and charity truck collections in the procession. The festivities include food stalls, official traders selling balloons and light-up accessories (go on, get a fluorescent necklace!), and hundreds of volunteer marshals.
The fun kicks off on Carnival Day with street entertainment from 10:30 am, including the likes of jugglers, stilt walkers, live theatre, marching bands, live music, and activities like face painting and crafting for children – all jolly good fun. Then there’s the main event – the procession, followed by the famous ‘squibbing’ in the High Street. This unique firework display is something you have to see, though it’s all entirely at your own risk. The air is electric, the excitement is high as two rows of up to 150 squibbers lift coshes high above their heads, each cosh holding specially made fireworks that are set off simultaneously. Showers of sparks cascade down as people whoop and cheer, reaching to capture the show on their phones.
What you need to know is that most of the roads into and around Bridgwater are closed from the morning, so it’s no good trying to park in town. Your best bet is to use the Park & Ride schemes that operate from J24 and 25 of the M5, and to arrive early to secure your place on the route. Wrap up warm and keep an eye on the weather forecast; you might need your waterproofs – this is England in November, remember.
If you don’t fancy the idea of standing about for 2 hours or more, you can book Grandstand Seats on the carnival website. They also do hospitality packages, which is a good idea if you’re making a special occasion of it, maybe for a birthday or something.
If you’re thinking of getting a group of you together to come on down to Somerset to be a part of the very awesome atmosphere of Bridgwater Carnival, we’ve got luxury large group accommodation in the town centre, or within a few miles. Take a look, get it booked, come and love this very special event.
Photo Credit: Peter J Nicholls Photography
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