Burnham-on-Sea Carnival attracts thousands of spectators

4 November 2025

Chloe Harcombe,West of England and

Scott Ellis,in Burnham-on-Sea

Day Of The Dead costumed performers took part in the procession

The procession travelled around Burnham-on-Sea

Tens of thousands of people headed out to watch costumed performers on illuminated floats parade around a seaside town.

The Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea Carnival attracted about 25,000 spectators to its procession on Monday.

The event is one of the well-known Somerset Guy Fawkes Carnivals, which kicked off with its first procession of the year in Bridgwater on Saturday.

Annalee New, chair of Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea Carnival, said the event was a culmination of a year-long effort, which involved “a great amount of work” for everyone involved.

An illuminated carnival cart. There are a number of performers on it looking out towards the crowds. The cart has a number of illuminated wheels on it and appears to have a Western theme. — The carnival committee works all year round to build the carts

The procession route began on Love Lane before it went through High Street and finished up on Old Station Approach.

The carnival circuit raises hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity and the local economy each year.

“It’s brilliant. I get phone calls from people all over England coming to the event,” Ms New said.

Dozens of decorated carts were part of the procession

An illuminated colourful carnival cart. There is a crowd to the side of it and people walking alongside it wearing high-vis jackets. The float has illustrations of animals on it. — Dozens of decorated carts were part of the procession

Several judges from the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association were among the crowd to choose their favourite entries.

Judge Carol Turk said: “You watch the people and the people tell you if they’re enjoying it. That’s always a good indicator.”

Carol Turk. She has shoulder-length grey hair and blue eyes. She is pictured outside and there is a large crowd of people behind her. She is wearing a yellow high-vis jacket with blue and silver details on it. — Carol Turk is part of the judging panel

Ms New said after the carnival season ends the carts would be returned to their sheds and broken down, so new creations could be built for next year’s processions.

Still to come on the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival circuit over the next two weeks are Weston-super-Mare, North Petherton, Midsomer Norton, Shepton Mallet, Wells and Glastonbury.

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