Midsomer Norton's illuminated carnival is on Monday 16 November 2026. Here is last year's route, start time and road closures, and what is still to be confirmed.
The Midsomer Norton & District Illuminated Carnival is on Monday 16 November 2026. The date is confirmed by the organisers and by the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnivals Association, which lists it as the fifth of eight carnivals on this year’s circuit.
The organisers have not yet published the 2026 programme, start time or route. The council has not yet published this year’s road closure order either. Last year’s details are below, so you know what to expect. We will update this page when the 2026 versions appear.
Last year’s start time and route
In 2025 the procession started at 7.30pm, according to the organisers’ 2025 programme.
The council’s 2025 traffic order shows the route the carts took:
- lining up on the A367 Fosseway
- along Charlton Road
- down Silver Street (B3355)
- along the High Street
- out along the A362 Radstock Road and Somervale Road, where the carts dispersed towards Welton Road
The carnival has run since 1948, the organisers say. It is run entirely by volunteers as a registered charity (number 1078139).
Last year’s road closures
The 2025 order closed these roads on carnival night. Expect something similar on 16 November, but check the 2026 order once it is published.
| Road | 2025 closure |
|---|---|
| Charlton Road | 7pm to 11pm |
| Silver Street, Charlton Road to High Street | 7pm to 11pm |
| High Street, Silver Street to Radstock Road | 5.30pm to 1am |
| Radstock Road and Somervale Road, High Street to Wishford Mews | 8pm to 11.30pm |
| Radstock Road, Somervale Road and Welton Road (dispersal area) | 8pm to 2.30am |
| A367 Fosseway and Charlton Lane (line-up area) | 7pm to 10pm |
Parking was banned on the route from early evening. The no-parking rule on the High Street started at 4.30pm, and it applied to blue badge holders too. Footways at the Fosseway, Charlton Road and Silver Street corners were also shut during the procession.
The other carnivals on the circuit
Midsomer Norton is one of eight Somerset illuminated carnivals in November 2026, according to the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnivals Association:
| Carnival | Date |
|---|---|
| Bridgwater | Saturday 7 November |
| Burnham-on-Sea | Monday 9 November |
| Weston-super-Mare | Friday 13 November |
| North Petherton | Saturday 14 November |
| Midsomer Norton | Monday 16 November |
| Shepton Mallet | Wednesday 18 November |
| Wells | Friday 20 November |
| Glastonbury | Saturday 21 November |
Shepton Mallet, about seven miles south, and Wells, about nine miles south-west, are the nearest of the others.
What it means for you
- If you are going: last year the procession started at 7.30pm. Arrive early for a spot on the High Street or Silver Street.
- If you live or park on the route: move your car before the evening. Last year the High Street parking ban began at 4.30pm.
- If you are driving through: the High Street and Radstock Road were shut for most of the evening last year, and the dispersal roads until 2.30am.
- If you want to help: the carnival is funded by donations. The organisers take them through their website.
For other things to do this month, see our what’s on in Bath this month page.
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