Bridgwater Carnival 2024: Live updates as Carnival comes to town

What's on in Bridgwater today?

It's the day Bridgwater has been waiting for as Carnival 2023 kicks off today (Saturday, November 4). 2023 marks 125 years since the first carnival was held in the town and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Road closures

Due to the Carnival parade, the following roads will be closed:

• A38 Bristol Road from J24 of the M5 to Quantock Road from 10am until 11pm
• The A39 Bath Road from Quantock Road to Athelstan Road from 11.15am until 11pm
• St Mary Street from Eastover to High Street from 12pm until 11pm
• Cornhill from High Street to Athelstan Road from 12pm until 11pm
• Penel Orlieu from Eastover to Athelstan Road from 11am until 11pm
• Binford Place from Penel Orlieu to Cornhill from 1pm until 11pm
• Friarn Street from King Square to St Mary Street from 1pm until 11pm
• Salmon Parade from King Square to St Mary Street from 1pm until 11pm
• Castle Street from Northgate to Cornhill from 4.30pm until 11pm
• Eastover from Salmon Parade to Penel Orlieu from 5pm until 11pm
• Northgate from Wembdon Road to Castle Street from 5pm until 11pm
• Wembdon Road from Quantock Road to Northgate from 5pm until 11pm

Carnival Procession

The Carnival Procession will start at 12pm from the lay-by on Bristol Road (near J24 of the M5) and will travel along the A38, A39 and into the town centre before finishing at Northgate at around 5.30pm.

Fireworks

The Carnival will be brought to a close with a spectacular fireworks display at 9pm. The fireworks will be launched from the Bridgwater Docks and will be visible from all over the town.

Other attractions

As well as the Carnival Procession and fireworks, there will be a variety of other attractions on offer in Bridgwater today, including:

• A funfair on the St John's Playing Fields
• A craft fair in the town centre
• Live music and entertainment on stage at King Square
• A food and drink festival on the Town Quay

Getting to Bridgwater

Bridgwater is easily accessible by car, train or bus.

By car, take the M5 motorway and exit at junction 24.

By train, take a train to Bridgwater railway station.

By bus, take a bus to Bridgwater bus station.

Parking

There are a number of car parks in Bridgwater town centre, including:

• The Bridgwater Gateway car park (TA6 4AB)
• The Angel Place car park (TA6 3AQ)
• The Eastover car park (TA6 7BQ)
• The Salmon Parade car park (TA6 5AF)

Disabled access

There are a number of disabled access points along the Carnival route. These are located at:

• The junction of the A38 Bristol Road and Quantock Road
• The junction of the A39 Bath Road and Quantock Road
• The junction of St Mary Street and Eastover
• The junction of Cornhill and High Street
• The junction of Penel Orlieu and Eastover
• The junction of Binford Place and Penel Orlieu
• The junction of Friarn Street and King Square
• The junction of Salmon Parade and King Square
• The junction of Castle Street and Northgate
• The junction of Eastover and Salmon Parade
• The junction of Northgate and Wembdon Road
• The junction of Wembdon Road and Quantock Road