Bridgwater Carnival 2026 to feature 12 hours of street entertainment
The UK's oldest carnival kicks off with a full day of music and dance before the 6pm illuminated parade.
By Anthony Shevchenko ·
Bridgwater Carnival organizers have finalized a schedule that keeps the town busy from 10:30am until the evening parade. The programme spans three main stages and several other venues across the town centre. This marks the first time the full daytime lineup has been released for the 2026 event.
The carnival dates back to 1881, making it the oldest in the United Kingdom. It also holds the title of the largest illuminated parade in Europe. Organizers expect tens of thousands of spectators to line the streets for the main procession. The evening show begins at 6pm with the carts taking to the roads.
The daytime schedule begins at 10:30am on Saturday, 7 November. The High Street Performance Area hosts a mix of dance and music acts. Fox King Dance Academy opens the slot at 10:30am, followed by Bubbles LaFae at 11am. The Bridgwater Rock Choir performs at 11:40am. Julia McDonald Dance Co takes the stage at 12:15pm, and Farmyard Circus follows at 12:40pm. The Bridgwater Sea Cadets perform at 1:15pm, and The Lifesaver appears at 1:45pm. Gugge 2000 is scheduled for 2:20pm. The afternoon continues with Farmyard Circus at 3pm, Bubbles LaFae at 3:35pm, The Lifesaver at 4:10pm, and Gugge 2000 at 4:50pm.
Other venues offer simultaneous entertainment. St Mary's Church hosts the Somerset Songbirds at 11:15am and the Wells City Band at noon. The Bridgwater Rock Choir returns to this venue at 2:15pm. The Cornhill Stage features the Black Velvet Band at 10:30am and 1:05pm. Westcan performs at 11:15am, and Barnacle Buoys play at 11:50am. Ashley Ross Quinn is on at 12:25pm, and The Vixens perform at 1:55pm. Talisha Sings appears at 2:30pm and 4:45pm. Two Tone plays at 3:20pm, and Shalana Serafina closes the stage at 4:10pm.
Angel Place Shopping Centre hosts MADE Community Youth Theatre at 10:30am. Krazy Kev & Dinky perform at 1pm and 3:45pm. YMTC takes the stage at 1:40pm, and Barnacle Buoys appear again at 2:25pm. Lucy Lost-It performs at 3:10pm, and Simon Ellis finishes the schedule at 4:20pm. The Bridgwater Arts Centre features Milly Riquelme's Cuban music, Dawn from HK, and Bulgarian Folk Dance. The town centre also hosts the Marvellous Magical Theatre, Lucy Lost-It, Bubbles Le Fae, and children's fairground rides.
The Sounds of the Streets group begins performing in the town centre at 5:40pm. The grand parade starts at 6pm on Saturday, 7 November. The procession is followed by a simultaneous squibbing display. Approximately 200 squibbers will light up the High Street for this finale.
