Bridgwater Carnival returns for another year
Europe’s largest illuminated parade is coming back to Somerset this weekend
Last updated 1st Nov 2024
It is Bridgwater’s favourite time of the year again as we are inching closer to this year’s carnival season.
The town’s biggest night of the year is back tomorrow (2nd November) as the UK’s oldest carnival kicks off Somerset’s popular series of Guy Fawkes Carnivals.
The celebrations date back 143 years, when the first Bridgwater Carnival took place in commemoration of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot.
Dave Crocker, the carnival’s president, is convinced that this year’s celebrations will “amaze and astound everyone watching”.
With all grandstand seats along the procession route sold out in 2023, Bridgwater Carnival is expected to draw in tens of thousands of visitors again this year.
While most spectators come to Somerset from all over the UK, a father-daughter duo from as far as Colorado have announced to fly 4,635 miles to see the famous processions.
“Bridgwater Carnival remains the greatest illuminated parade in Europe”, said Mr Crocker.
He added: “There really is no better place to be than in Bridgwater, the home of carnival, on carnival night”.
The build-up to the procession starts at 10.30am in the town centre tomorrow with street entertainment being provided for early spectators.
The procession itself, which consists of over 45 carnival carts and numerous walking entries, sets off at 6pm and will finish at around 8pm.
For the grand finale, roughly 200 squibbers will take part in Bridgwater’s unique squibbing display – the town’s traditional lighting of fireworks – on the High Street about 30 minutes after the end of the procession.
Official Bridgwater Carnival charity collectors will be around to take donations that will help fund next year’s celebrations.
Other authorised collectors will be raising money as well, which will go to 29 local charities and organisations.
Over the last two years, more than £65,000 have been raised this way at the carnival.
There is an official viewing area for wheelchair users, but reservations are recommended as spaces are limited.
For those who can’t attend in person, a live stream will be available from 6pm with the procession set to come into view at around 7.15pm.