There is still time for young people to enter this year’s Midsomer Norton & District Carnival Royalty competition, with organisers looking for a Carnival King, Queen, Prince and Princess for 2026.
Entries are open to children and young people aged 5 to 17 who live within a 10-mile radius of Midsomer Norton.
The Carnival Prince and Princess categories are open to entrants aged 5 to 9, while those aged 10 to 17 can enter for Carnival King or Queen.
Those selected as Carnival Royalty will receive prize money, have their hair professionally styled and have the honour of leading the Midsomer Norton & District Carnival Procession.
Anyone wishing to enter should do so as soon as possible through the Carnival website, where further information and the entry form can be found:
The royalty selection evening will take place next Saturday (19 September 2026) at The Somer Centre at 7.30pm.
The evening will feature music and dancing with live band Soul’d Out. Tickets are just £5 and everyone is welcome to attend.
The Carnival Association is also inviting local businesses to get involved with this year’s Carnival through advertising and sponsorship.
Advertising opportunities are available for a range of budgets, with adverts able to appear in the Carnival’s online programme, website and social media channels. Businesses can also include a direct link to their own website. Sponsorship packages are available for those wanting greater involvement with the event.
Further details about advertising and sponsorship can be found at:
Midsomer Norton Carnival is described by organisers as the largest community event in the Somer Valley, bringing the community together for an evening of illuminated carts, walking groups, masquerade pairs and individuals, community groups and trade entries.
This year’s Carnival will take place in just over 9 weeks time, on Monday 16 November 2026.
The procession will start at 7.30pm on the A367 at the roundabout next to Charlton Lane, before heading along Charlton Road and past Norton Hill School. It will then turn down Silver Street, pass the former railway station and continue towards the Town Hall.
At around 8pm, the procession will turn into the High Street before continuing to Stones Cross, turning onto Radstock Road and finishing just after Welton Primary School.
More details on the route and the Carnival can be found at:
https://illuminatedcarnival.co.uk/illuminated-carnival/
