East Devon and Somerset Carnival Dates 2026
Carnivals are a wonderful tradition in the South West. Usually taking place in the autumn, you can enjoy the lights, action, music and costumes of the spectacular floats and walking displays as the evenings draw in. Well known in Devon and Somerset, carnival parades are really fun events. With majorettes, music and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
Wrap up warm and collect all your small change ready to throw into the collectors charity buckets.
Here are the West Country Carnival Dates for East Devon and Somerset 2026. There are a series of circuits which carnival clubs attend which is how I have ordered the lists.
Please check local press and posters to confirm dates and times before travelling.
East Devon Carnival Dates 2026
Saturday, 5 September – Seaton 8pm
Saturday, 12 September – Colyton 8pm
Saturday, 19 September – Axminster 7.30pm
Saturday, 26 September – Sidmouth 7.30pm
Saturday, 3 October – Budleigh Salterton 7.30pm
Saturday, 24 October – Honiton 7.30pm
Friday, 16 October – Ottery St. Mary torchlit carnival and fireworks
Thursday 5 November – Ottery Tar Barrels
Christmas Carnivals
Honiton – Saturday thc December
Please check local press for start times.
South Somerset Carnival Dates 2026
Saturday 26th September, Wellington
Saturday 3rd October, Ilminster
Saturday 1oth October, Chard
Saturday 17th October, Taunton
Saturday 12th September, South Petherton
Monday 16th November, Midsomer Norton
Somerset Carnivals (Wessex Grand Prix) 2026
Mere – Saturday 19 September
Frome – Saturday 26 September
Shaftesbury- Saturday 3 October
Gillingham – Saturday 10 October
Wincanton – Friday 16 October
Castle Cary – Saturday 17 October
Trowbridge Saturday 24 October
Warminster Saturday 31 October
Bridgwater Carnival 2026
Bridgwater is one of the largest and most well known carnivals and starts off the Somerset season. Look out for local bus excursions. These are larger parades and can last 2 to 3 hours. Always held on the first Saturday in November.
Saturday 7th November 2026 6pm Bridgwater Carnival
Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association
Monday 9 November, Highbridge & Burnham-on-Sea
Friday 13 November, Weston-super-Mare
Saturday 14 November, North Petherton
Monday 16 November, Midsomer Norton
Wednesday 18 November, Shepton Mallet
Friday 20 November, Wells
Saturday 21 November, Glastonbury
Somerset details also here.
Take a look at the video for a preview of what to expect at the carnivals.
Carnivals are run entirely by volunteers who have to fund raise annually to finance the building of their entries, there is very little sponsorship available!
Each carnival holds a street collection which helps local charities and community groups raise funds as well as helping to fund the carnivals, so please give generously.
Please check local press for details of carnival start times and other associated local events.
Credits for information and pictures:
Midweek Herald, Somerset Carnivals website, Devon 24, Visit Somerset, Swift Owners Club
For more ideas of What’s On in Devon, Somerset and Dorset visit the Events Listings page here and look out for the What’s On for Half Term Guide coming soon
Hi! I am Clare and I live in glorious East Devon with my family.
Join me in finding new places to explore in the West Country as well as further afield.
I hope you enjoy reading and taking inspiration from this website. 
HOW EXCITING THAT CARNIVAL SEASON STARTS SO SOON! I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR! I WOULD LOVE TO VISIT THE SEATON CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL – BET THAT’S JUST MAGICAL!
Thanks for this! …saves me googling! We love carnivals! We lived in Bridgewater (pre-kids) and we absolutely loved seeing the carnival! Must take the kids one year!
I haven’t been brave enough to go to Bridgewater yet – they run a coach locally from Axminster so I will certainly have to go one year.
God it’s been decades since I saw my last Carnival. I used to love it as a kid when we had one in Dartmouth. I didn’t realise people still did them. I really must try to get to one this year. I’m sure the kids would love it as much as I used to.
They are really popular around us in East Devon and somerset, it’s a big deal and lots of money gets raised for local good causes.
Thanks such a helpful post. Will get some of those in our diary. Lots of fun for the kids!
We always go to at least one carnival each year, it’s a fun night out with the children.
I love a carnival and so do my boys. I was considering doing Exmouth but it has been cancelled this year hasn’t it? Perhaps honiton will be a good one to try instead.
I didn’t realise it had been cancelled but I’m sure one of the others would be just as good.