Weston Carnival

The next Weston Carnival is on Friday, November 13, 2026.

People come from all over the country to see the Weston-super-Mare carnival. It is the west country’s answer to the Rio Carnival. It features huge and extravagantly-decorated carts with thousands of bright lights on, putting on an exciting must-see procession for thousands of spectators.

The carts – some costing up to £25,000 to create and measuring more than 100ft long – form one of the biggest and most spectacular illuminated parades in the world.
If you haven’t seen the carnival before, make sure you do because you’re in for a real treat. It’s something of a hidden secret but once you’re in the know you will want to keep on coming back and introduce your friends to it. You do literally have to see it to believe it.

The rivalry between the carnival clubs is fierce and the competition to be the best is intense. The clubs spend 12 months creating their floats in hideaway barns under a veil of secrecy in a bid to outdo each other's creations - and the result is a spectacular must-see carnival. Alongside the huge carts there are also marching bands, fancy dress walkers and entertainers parading through the town. 

As well as Weston-super-Mare, the Somerset carnival scene takes in the local towns of Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Glastonbury, North Petherton, Shepton Mallet and Wells.

Highlights from the 2025 Carnival

Just when you thought the carts can't get any better than the previous year, they only go and raise the bar again. Here's some of our favourite Visit Weston images from the 2025 Weston-super-Mare Carnival.

What people said about the 2025 Weston Carnival

Here's a selection of some of the comments left on our Visit Weston Facebook page after the 2025 Weston-super-Mare Carnival. We thank them for allowing us to reproduce their comments here:

Absolutely the best carnival I ever seen. Amazing. Thank you to everyone that does it for the public - Pat Rowely

Spectacular! Breath taking workmanship in all the floats WOW! - Myra Keatley Lill

Came down from Derbyshire. This was my Fourth year and looking forward to next year - Graham Burton

Coming to Carnival since I was a little girl. Tonight's was one of best Thank you to everyone involved in bringing yet another fantastic night to Weston Super Mare - Amanda Hignett

They get bigger and better every year. - Judy Stambouly

Fabulous show. So much creativity, hard work and dedication. Thank you xx - Diane Walton

1st time for me but definitely won’t be the last. Absolutely amazing - Sally Williams

Absolutely amazing night - Suzanne Frederick-Bird

It really was absolutely fantastic, loved every minute! Thank you to all involved - Claire Brook

Our 1st time & travelled up from East Sussex. Fantastic event. Well done all who made this happen.- Greeny Green

So much time, thought, dedication and hard work, but totally worth if for the support and a great crowd tonight - Andrea Anning

Just amazing - Anon

Weston-super-Mare Carnival Route

The 2025 Weston Carnival followed a different route to previous years. Broadly speaking, it followed the 2024 route but in reverse. The parade starts at 7pm from the Locking Road car park. The last float is anticipated to come through the finish point at The Tesco superstore at around 9.30pm. 

Weston Carnival winners

Competition is fierce to be the best carnival float. Ramblers Carnival Club were crowned 2025 winners with this brilliant 1912 All Out cart - remembering the coal strike from the era.

The Bridgwater-based Gremlins Carnival Club were crowned 2025 winners with their amazing Beatlemania-themed cart, see below

The Ramblers Carnival Club took the 2023 crown with this extravagant Trawlermen creation.

Getting here for the Weston Carnival

Road closures are in place from 5.30pm and car parks get busy early. Weston Railway station is within easy walking distance of the start and the procession route. Scroll further down the page for more on road closures.

Last train home

The last train from Weston to Taunton is at 23:40 https://www.thetrainline.com/book/results... and the last train to Bristol Temple Meads is at  23:41. This service calls at Yatton. The last train to Cardiff is at 22:09. This service calls at Worle, Yatton, Nailsea and Bristol Temple Meads. There is also the 23.14 Bristol Temple Meads service which stops at Worle and Yatton.

Heading in the Exeter and Taunton direction, the last train is the 23.40. This calls at Highbridge, Bridgwater, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway and Exeter St Davids. There is also the 22.39 which calls at the same stops.

Park, train & ride

You could park at Worle railway station and have a short train trip down to Weston Station. The last train back to Worle is the 23:14

Accessibility

Apart from the grandstand, there is no dedicated special viewing areas for the disabled but the whole route is accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The Beach Lawns will have a dedicated disabled parking area at the end closest to town available on a first come first served basis. what3words ///filled.type.club

Support the carnival by parking on the Beach Lawns 

If you choose to come by car, there are plenty of parking options including parking on The Beach Lawns from 2pm.This is priced at a tenner per car. Even better, the money goes back into supporting the carnival - making it a win, win. Cars parked on The Beach Lawns should be removed by 11pm.

Car parks and car parking

Below are two lists of car parks - the first not impacted by the road closures - where there are uninterrupted routes out of town e.g the old toll road or if you park on The Beach Lawns and head out towards the hospital roundabout.

The second list are carparks where you will need to arrive before the road closures starting at 1630 and will not be able to leave until approx 2200 when the road closures are lifted.

Please be mindful & considerate of where you park.

Trains - you could park at Worle or Milton stations and have a short hop down to Weston Station (last train from Weston southbound is 2340 calling at Highbridge, Bridgwater, Taunton, Exeter, and northbound is 2341 calling at Yatton and Bristol)

All carparks have disabled spaces, the closest carpark to the parade is Grove Park. There will be a designated area on the beach lawns parking closest to the parade for blue badge holders. All on a first come first served basis.

Hildesheim Bridge will be closed, do not park on it, For safety and security your vehicle could be removed.

Tesco carpark will NOT be open for public parking - obviously while the store is open shoppers can use the carpark. You will not get out of Tesco after the roads have closed.

There is no overnight camping in any of the carparks. Riverside Holiday Village have camper van spaces.

You could try www.justpark.com and see if there are any driveway spaces you can book.

Campervans - There is not a dedicated area for campervan parking.

Route viewing from cars - there is nowhere along the route where you can park and see the parade.

Google maps can give you walk times from parking to where you choose to watch the parade from.

Disabled Parking - All carparks are council carparks with designated disabled spaces, this are on a first come first served basis. The First area of the beach lawns will be reserved for blue badge holders again on a first come first served basis, the gate is at what3words ///tokens.blues.third

Beach Lawns Wet Weather Plan

If the beach lawns are not allowed to be used because they are too wet, the wet weather plan is to use the Marine Parade. Make your way to the marine parade entrance at the Old Hospital / Royal Sands end - what3words ///voters.papers.vent and you can pay on entry and be directed to your space.

Car parks NOT impacted by road closures

- Beach Lawns, (from 1400hrs) Beach Rd, cost £10 Weston-super-Mare BS23 1BH

what3words ///gently.beam.alone

- Maderia Carpark South Rd, Weston-super-Mare BS23

what3words ///lock.danger.doctor

- Melrose Carpark 30 Knightstone Rd, Weston-super-Mare BS23 2AW

what3words ///drips.slope.brings

- Hampton Carpark, Weston-super-Mare BS23 2DU

what3words ///truly.random.feast

- Grove Park, Weston-super-Mare BS23 2AF

what3words ///crunch.answer.rises

Car parks IMPACTED by road closures - locked in until after road closures and arrive before 1630 Road closures

- Carlton Street Car Park, very limited spaces 12 Carlton St, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1UA

///breed.early.tigers

- Soverign Centre Salisbury Terrace, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1AH

///view.rate.shark

-NCP Carpark 4A High St, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1HZ closes at 2100

///crest.values.courier

Weston-super-Mare Carnival Accommodation

Enjoy carnival to the max by booking accommodation as well. It's worth moving quickly on this though as it tends to sell out fast. Keep an eye on the Visit Weston Facebok page www.facebook.com/visitweston  for details of late availability or cancellations. There are four hotels on the carnival route. They are: The Sandringham Hotel, The Royal Hotel, The Royal Grosvenor Hotel and The Cabot Court Hotel.

Weston Carnival Road Closures

There will be multiple road closures on Carnival Day, starting at 3pm. Many of the roads will not reopen until 1am.

Francis Fox Road Fri 7 Nov 25 15:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Locking Road from Little George Street Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25

0100hrs George Street from Locking Road Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Camden Terrace to Locking Road Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Jubilee Road to Locking Road Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Regent Street to Locking Road Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Alfred Street Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Alexandra Parade (From Locking Road to Alfred Street) Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Boulevard (From Stafford Place) Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Abert Quadrant Junction Stafford Place & Southside Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Victoria Quadrant Junction Worthy Lane Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Orchard Street Junction Boulevard Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Longhton Grove Road Junction Worth Lane Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Waterloo Street Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

South Parade Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

West Street Junction Wadham Street Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Lower Church Road Junction South Terrace Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Knightstone Road Junction Victoria Place Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

South Parade Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Royal Parade Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Victoria Square both junctions to Royal Parade Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Salisbury Terrace to Royal Parade both entrances Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Richmond Street Junction York Street Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Oxford Street Junction Gloucester Street Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Carlton Street Beach Road Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Marine Parade Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Carlton Street Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Walliscote Grove Junction Walliscote Road Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Station Road Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Walliscote Road Junction Station Road Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Beach Road Junction Marine Parade Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Walliscote Road Junction Oxford Street Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Station Road Junction Graham Road Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Station Road Roundabout with Francis Fox Road & Hildesheim Bridge & Station Approach Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Beach Road Junction Clarence Road South Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Beach Road Junction Quantock Road Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Beach Road Junction with Carlton Street Clevedon Road (wet weather contingency, not anticipated to be used) Fri 7 Nov 25 18:00hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Winterstoke Road, Clearway between Hildesheim Bridge & Marchfields Way Fri 7 Nov 25 18:00hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Regent Street Junction with Locking Road Fri 7 Nov 25 18:00hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Locking Road from Regent Street to Walliscote Road Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Oxford Street from Walliscote Road to Beach Road Fri 7 Nov 25 16:30hrs Sat 8 Nov 25 01:00hrs

Roads will reopen when safe to do so, this will include the clearance of the infrastructure on the highway. The schedule for opening the roads is dynamic and is based on the situation at each junction in relation to the location of the end of the procession and the numbers of spectators in the area.

Accessibility

The parade route is accessible to wheelchairs and mobility scooters and as such there are no specifically designated viewing areas. And there are no vehicular access viewpoints along the procession course.The closest car parking to the route is at Grove Park.The Beach lawns will have a dedicated disabled parking area at the end closest to town available on a first come first served basis. what3words ///filled.type.club   (with thanks to the carnival's super helpful pinned facebook post for this information so please keep checking in with them for the very latest information in this area.)

Grandstand seating 

Grandstand seating and hospitality pods which seat up to ten guests are available for the 2025 carnival. The grandstand is priced at £28 per person and occupy a prime position. The pods are £590 to book exclusively or £59 per person. 

Carnival Livestream

Experience the Magic of Weston Carnival without all the noise and crowds. The Blakehay will be holding a relaxed live stream of the 2025 Weston Carnival. If you, or someone you care for, finds the hustle and bustle of the parade overwhelming, this special screening offers a safe, calm, and welcoming space to enjoy it without the crowds. Tickets are FREE, but donations to Weston Carnival will be gratefully received at the door. For further information or to book visit https://www.blakehay.org.uk/

Carnival Pre-Parade

There will be a pre-carnival parade of custom cars from the Weston Custom and American Car and Motorcycle Cruise at 6.20pm. They will line up at the Bus Hub by Tesco from 5pm to 6.20pm before firing up their engines and cruising the route, leading the pre-parade around town. There may also be a few biggies from the Devon Truck Show.

Please give generously 

Strictly-speaking the carnival is free to enjoy - but we're sure you'll agree it is more than worth paying for. It takes tens of thousands of pounds to make the magic happen each year. So please give generously to keep this magnificent tradition alive. There are several ways you can donate. You can:

Tap a card reader at the road closure points

Text to donate. To donate £3: Text Weston to 70331: To donate £5 Text Weston 70970: To donate £10 Text Weston to 70191

Scan the QR code on carnival collectors’ hi-vis vests

Pop coins into the buckets or collection carts as they go past.

What People Said

People come from far and wide to see the Weston Carnival. Here's a few of the comments that were left on our Facebook page after the 2024 procession. With grateful thanks to them for allowing us to reproduce their comments here for you.

Bravo it was the best one yet and we've been coming down from Wales for years. Great job everyone.xx - Llinos Evans

Brilliant show. Congratulations to everybody involved - Martin Bester 

It was amazing and well worth staying overnight for x - Diane Warmington

I had not been for years as am disabled and can not stand long but I got the seating this year and all of us had a fantastic night. We will be back next year - Rachel Inglis

Came down from the Midlands fantastic evening. All the carts looked amazing. Well worth the journey - Richard Ede

It was an amazing spectacle. Great stuff  - Lukes Rovira

Thank you Weston-super-Mare for a great night again. Keep up all the good work you do. See you all next year for the carnival again - Amanda Bishop

First time going, and it did not disappoint. It was amazing!! Xxx - Amy Frost

Absolutely wonderful, fantastic time xx - Anne Howells