2022 was a great year for major events in Somerset including the long-awaited returns of Glastonbury Festival and Bridgwater Carnival.

This year has its own special events planned. Here are 10 major events taking place across the county in 2023.

January 27

Sheppy's Wassail, Sheppy's House of Cider, Bradford-on-Tone

If food, fires and cider are your thing, then you should book tickets for Sheppy's House of Cider's Wassail.

The ancient ritual includes chanting, dancing and other traditions to help ensure that next year’s harvest is a good one. 

The £15 ticket price covers admission at the gate and food (meat and vegetarian/vegan options will be available).

Food and drink, including tea and coffee, will be available before and after the ceremony.

April 6

Cricket season gets underway at Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton

The LV= Insurance County Cricket Championship will return in just four months, with Somerset set to start their campaign at home against 2021 champions Warwickshire.

The championship will begin on April 6, with each county set to play 14 fixtures.

Read more: Somerset cricket fixtures confirmed for 2023 season

May 11

Somerset Day, celebrated across the county

If you are someone who is passionate about Somerset, then this day is for you.

More information on the events planned to commemorate the occasion will be published on the Somerset Day website in the run-up to the event.

Somerset Day 2022 was celebrated throughout the county and further afield with a record reach of over 20 million on Twitter on the day.

June 11

An evening with Lionel Richie, Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton

The ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’ and ‘All Night Long’ singer will perform an open-air concert at the Cooper Associates County Fround in June. 

The Grammy Award-winning performer has sold more than 125 million albums worldwide. Tickets are on sale now on the Ticketmaster website. 

June 21 – June 25

Glastonbury Festival, Worthy Farm, Pilton

Last month, Glastonbury's organisers confirmed that Sir Elton John will headline the iconic Pyramid Stage at this year's festival. 

Other huge names rumoured to be appearing at Worthy Farm this year include Guns N' Roses, Arctic Monkeys and Lewis Capaldi.

Somerset County Gazette: Sir Elton John will perform at Glastonbury Festival 2023, marking the final UK show of his last-ever tour.Sir Elton John will perform at Glastonbury Festival 2023, marking the final UK show of his last-ever tour. (Image: None)

The festival will be held between Wednesday, June 21 and Sunday, June 25.

All general admission and coach tickets have sold out, but there will be a ticket resale in the spring.

July 1

Somerset Armed Forces Day, Vivary Park, Taunton

If you want to show your support for the armed forces, then this event is for you.

People from across Somerset will join in to say ‘thank you’ to members of the armed forces including personnel, reserves, veterans, cadets, and families for their contributions to the nation.

July 7

Frome Festival, several venues

Like community days? Then bookmark this upcoming 10-day community arts festival which runs every July.

The festival plays host to over 260 events across 40 venues including live music, theatre, exhibitions, guided walks, hidden gardens, an open arts trail and more.

August 26 and 28

Live in Somerset, Vivary Park, Taunton

The Proclaimers and McFly will perform in Vivary Park in the heart of Taunton at this year's Live in Somerset concerts. 

Tickets are on sale now and will be dispatched around four weeks before the concerts.

Somerset County Gazette: Rag'n'Bone Man performs at Vivary Park in Taunton for Live in Somerset 2022.Rag'n'Bone Man performs at Vivary Park in Taunton for Live in Somerset 2022. (Image: Steve Richardson)

September 16

Cheddar Gorge Road Races

If you are a runner and love a challenge, this event should be on your list. There are three distances for entrants to choose from this year.

The shortest (and fastest) option is a 5km described as “100 per cent downhill”.

There is a 10km, three-quarters of which is downhill, and a gruelling half-marathon “for people who like things a little cruel and unusual”.

Half-marathon runners will start at the bottom of Cheddar Gorge, run to the top and then come back down again to the finish line.

November 4 – 18

Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnivals

If you are a carnival lover, keep an eye out for the return of some of Somerset's biggest events that will take place throughout November.

Somerset County Gazette: Hillview Carnival Club's Children Of The Revolution cart at Bridgwater Carnival 2022.Hillview Carnival Club's Children Of The Revolution cart at Bridgwater Carnival 2022. (Image: Steve Richardson)

Bridgwater Carnival
Saturday, November 4

Highbridge & Burnham-on-Sea Carnival
Monday, November 6

Weston-super-Mare Carnival
Friday, November 10

North Petherton Carnival
Saturday, November 11

Shepton Mallet Carnival
Wednesday, November 15

Wells Carnival
Friday, November 17

Glastonbury Chilkwell Carnival
Saturday, November 18

December 5 – December 30

A Christmas Carol at The Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton

Theatregoers can go on a thrilling journey to the past, present, and future with the Brewhouse Theatre's 2023 festive musical, A Christmas Carol.

The classic Charles Dickens tale will be told throughout December with this performance, adapted for the stage by the Pleasure Dome Theatre Company.

On a cold Christmas Eve, the heartless Ebeneezer Scrooge will be visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, and three spirits – each with an important message.