Bridgwater Carnival 2023: Results, photos and videos as carts wow huge crowds

More than 100,000 people lined the streets of Bridgwater on Saturday for the world famous Guy Fawkes Carnival. Dubbed ‘the UK’s oldest carnival and one of the largest illuminated carnival processions in Europe’, the carnival is always highly anticipated by many.

It is the first of the seven carnivals that constitute the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association (SCGFCA). The circuit starts with Bridgwater on the first Saturday in November, followed by Burnham-on-Sea on the following Monday, Weston-super-Mare on the Friday, North Petherton on the second Saturday in November, Shepton Mallet on the following Wednesday, Wells on the Friday concluding with Glastonbury on the third Saturday in November.

And for the second year running, Ramblers CC from Bridgwater were crowned winners. The reigning champions’ entry on the theme of "Trawlermen" wowed the judges to claim top prize – and make it a double after winning the stage show as well.

Second place went to Marketeers CC with their entry ‘Dames’, while Masqueraders CC were third with ‘Ohana’, and Gremlins CC fourth with ‘The Travelling Show’. Huckyduck CC with ‘December the 25^th’ were crowned winners in the tableau class.

The Guy Fawkes Carnival is an annual event full of brightly lit carts, colourful performers, talented acts and, of course, squibbers. Dating from as early as 1847, spectators can expect at least 40 illuminated carts - each up to 30 metres long - packed with lights and dancers performing, as well as musical acts. There are 98 entries for the 2023 procession

The carnival’s origins lie in the failed exploits of Guy Fawkes, and in the 418th anniversary of these Gunpowder Plot celebrations, Bridgwater Carnival 2023 will be one of the biggest and best one yet.

Scroll down for some images from the carnival – a video of some of the entries is at the top of the article