Plans are already underway to make Somerset Day 2026 a spectacular celebration of county pride, building on the outstanding success of Somerset Day 2025 and unveiling an ambitious new centrepiece: The Journey of the Somerset Dragon and The Tail of the Dragon.

At the heart of Somerset Day 2026 will be an iconic and memorable 7ft high Somerset Dragon, designed to capture the public imagination while celebrating Somerset’s identity, folklore, landscape and creativity.

The project is designed to create a shared, county-wide experience in the months leading up to the Somerset Day weekend on 9th and 10th May 2026, bringing together creativity, education and community celebration on an unprecedented scale.

The Dragon has been designed, created and constructed by students at Taunton College, as part of a major collaboration between University Centre Somerset College Group and Passion for Somerset CIC in partnership with Eurilait Ltd, the Journey of the Dragon’s principal partner.

The Journey of the Somerset Dragon

From March to May 2026, the Somerset Dragon will visit towns and villages across the county in the lead-up to the Somerset Day weekend on 9th and 10th May 2026. Each stop on the Journey will feature a free public event, with performances and creative activities that bring communities together.

All events will lead to one big question for the county - What should we name the Somerset Dragon?

Naming the Dragon

BBC Radio Somerset will host and run the official naming campaign via the BBC Somerset website, inviting people to suggest a name and explain why it should be chosen.

The Journey will conclude with the chosen name being revealed on Somerset Day, Monday 11th May 2026 at a special event hosted by BBC Radio Somerset.

The Tail of the Dragon – inspiring Somerset’s youngest storytellers

Running alongside the Journey is The Tail of the Dragon, an exciting and imaginative educational opportunity for primary schools across Somerset.

At its heart is a beautifully illustrated children’s storybook, bringing to life Somerset’s local heritage, creativity and community spirit through the story of the Somerset Dragon. The book will be sent free of charge to every primary school in Somerset, ensuring county-wide access to the project.

Each participating school will also receive a comprehensive educational pack, designed to support teachers in extending learning across the curriculum. The resources will encourage creativity, storytelling, local pride and cross-subject learning, helping children to feel connected to Somerset and to the Dragon’s journey through their communities.

Nigel Muers-Raby, Passion for Somerset CEO said: “Somerset Day is about belonging, pride and shared identity. The Journey of the Somerset Dragon is a powerful way to bring communities together, spark imagination and celebrate everything that makes Somerset special – from our folklore and landscapes to our people and creativity.”

Jen Mellows, Principal of Taunton College said: “This collaboration gives our students a unique opportunity to work on a major cultural project with real impact. Designing and building the Somerset Dragon allows them to showcase their creativity and skills while contributing to a lasting symbol of Somerset pride.”

Ed Leahy, Eurilait MD commented: “As a Somerset based company, we are extremely proud to sponsor the Journey of the Somerset Dragon, a celebration that brings our community together and truly makes Somerset shine. The spirit behind this journey reflects our own corporate values. Among our five core behaviours, we encourage every colleague to be collaborative, brave, and passionate, to challenge themselves and each other, and to continuously develop and thrive. Supporting initiatives like this reinforces our commitment to building a confident, empowered team that drives our success together, while proudly celebrating our Somerset roots."

Speaking about the educational element, Serin Brown, director at Passion for Somerset, added:

“By reaching every primary school in Somerset, The Tail of the Dragon ensures that children across the county can be part of Somerset Day. The storybook and education pack are designed to inspire curiosity, creativity and a sense of place, helping young people connect with their local heritage in a meaningful way.”

Celebrating young people

Alongside the Dragon project, Somerset Day 2026 will also continue its focus on celebrating young people across the county with the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards, being held at the McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater on Thursday 21st May, which will once again invite nominations to recognise and celebrate remarkable young people who are making a positive difference across the county.

Somerset Day 2026 promises to be a vibrant, inclusive and creative celebration – flying the flag for Somerset through community events, education, youth recognition and county-wide participation.

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