Hello, friends. Have you ever heard of The Glastonbury Carnival? No? Well then, I have got news for you!

Do you want to enjoy an amazing spectacle of light, music and dancing as the parade winds its way up the High Street in Glastonbury?

Around 50 carnival carts as well as the cafes, restaurants and pubs that all remain open throughout the procession. Are you ready to dive into the festive atmosphere? Then visit the Glastonbury Carnival on Saturday the 16th of November 2024.

WARNING:

The entire procession will kick off at 6:45 PM. The town and bypass will be completely closed to traffic starting at 3 PM due to the expected influx of spectators for the carnival.

BEWARE: This schedule could be changed if this year’s crowds are larger than anticipated. Somerset police are prepared to close roads earlier than planned. If possible, consider walking to Glastonbury from Street to avoid being stuck for the day.

The Somerset Guy Fawkes Carnival of Lights happens annually (except during COVID) from November 5th to 19th. It starts in Bridgwater and makes its way through Burnham-on-Sea, Weston-super-Mare, North Petherton, Midsomer Norton, Shepton Mallet, and Wells before concluding in Glastonbury.

Naturally, since Wyrdraven is located in Glastonbury, we wholeheartedly encourage you to stop by—it’s the final destination and, in our opinion, the best one! 😉 And don’t forget to drop in and give us a greeting.

As with many popular events, parking can be a bit of a challenge. Planning your visit should feel like preparing for a military operation. With that in mind, here are our tips for surviving the Glastonbury Carnival.

Starting Friday, November 15th, from 8 PM until around midnight on Saturday, the A39 Glastonbury Relief Road—from Northload Bridge Roundabout to Tunbridge Roundabout, including Wells Road Link Road—will be closed for the Carnival overnight lineup. Roads will be barricaded and staffed with marshals.

The roads are expected to reopen on November 16th at midnight (this is contingent on the area being cleared; if there are delays, closures may continue).

On Saturday, November 16th, more closures will occur:

• From 3pm to 5pm: Magdalene Street, High Street, and Benedict Street will be closed to accommodate the growing number of spectators and allow daytime performers to circulate.
• From 5pm to 10-11pm (or until the roads are clear):
  • The A39 Street Roundabout will be off-limits to all vehicles, including coaches and carnival entries, due to the high volume of pedestrians.
  • A39 Northload Bridge Roundabout, including B3151, Northload Bridge Road, Chilkwell Street at the A361, Wells Road, access to Thorndun Estate and Dunstans Park at the discretion of the marshal, proof of address will be required and dependent on the location of the procession on route before 8pm. Strictly no access from 8pm.
  • And all other roads around town accessing the route will be closed within the road closures.

In addition to the usual council-run car parks, on-street free parking, or getting permission to park at a friend’s place, there are several well-signposted Carnival Parking areas nearby, each charging £5. The proceeds benefit Glastonbury Carnival Clubs and local charities. The most convenient parking options near the carnival route include the car parks at B&Q, Tesco, Tor Leisure (next to Morrisons), the bottom of Benedict Street, Herbies Field, Morrisons, and St. Johns.

All official car parks will provide a receipt that must be displayed in your vehicle.

Shoppers will be charged but refunded upon exiting store car parks, as long as they leave before 5 PM. For more information, visit the official Glastonbury Carnival website.

Be aware that leaving Glastonbury after the event can be challenging. Arriving early will help you secure a good parking spot since roads will be closed during the parade. Alternatively, parking in Street and walking in may be a smart choice to avoid getting stuck.

We suggest you skip bringing food. You’ll find snack vans, burger stands, and hot dog stalls every few feet, along with local cafes and pubs and prices to suit all budgets. However, make sure to have plenty of water and snacks on hand before the carnival begins, as you might not want to leave your ideal viewing spot once you settle in.

In our opinion, you should aim to bring as little as possible since it will be extremely crowded. We’ve seen the streets packed tight, making it difficult to navigate from one end of town to the other. 

However, if you do want to bring some extras, a foldable chair and a blanket can be handy—but keep in mind that the further you park from your car, the harder it will be to carry them back.

Also, remember that November weather is typically chilly, so layer up! Be sure to check the forecast in case of rain.

As with any large gathering, there may be a few individuals who try to spoil the fun. While the crime rate is low, it’s wise to stay vigilant. After the carnival, expect a mass exodus that can feel overwhelming. It may take some time to reach your car and navigate through the sea of vehicles all heading in the same direction—just a heads-up!

Of course, we can’t cover every detail about the Glastonbury Carnival in a single blog post, so doing some additional research is a good idea. If you’ve never attended before, check social media for clips of previous carnivals. For a sneak peek, watch this fantastic YouTube video of the 2023 Glastonbury Carnival by The Sanbrooke Adventures.

In conclusion, just come and see it for yourself! It’s truly a sight to behold, even if it’s not your usual scene. We were genuinely amazed the first time we experienced it.

Lastly, don’t forget to stop by Wyrdraven, 7 Benedict Street, BA6 9NE (just down the road between the two cafes) and say hello. It would be a shame not to, especially since you’re in the area! 😉