OVER 18,000 attend Taunton’s Eat Festival, 1,000+ celebrate at Rich’s Cider Farm, Somerset’s flag flies in Times Square and Antarctica, and the campaign achieves major TV, radio, press, and social media reach across the world.

Communities across Somerset and far beyond came together in spectacular fashion to mark the 10th anniversary of Somerset Day, with a record-breaking weekend of events that showcased the county’s pride, heritage and vibrant community spirit.

From village greens and bustling town centres to TikTok clips, Instagram stories and flag sightings, Somerset’s celebratory energy lit up both local streets and digital timelines, amplifying Somerset’s message across the region and beyond.

Among the standout moments of the weekend was the BBC Radio Somerset Flag Challenge, where presenters rallied to fly the Somerset flag in as many locations as possible around the world. Their efforts saw flags proudly displayed everywhere from Times Square in New York to Antarctica, The Gambia, and Australia, as well as iconic local landmarks across the county. The competition saw 870,000 views on BBC Somerset’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Music lovers were treated to a nostalgic Somerset moment at the Barrel & Bloom Festival at Rich’s Cider Farm, where a rousing set from The Wurzels had festivalgoers young and old singing along and waving flags. With over 1,000 tickets sold, the event was a highlight of the weekend.

In Taunton, the town centre was transformed into a vibrant hub of food, drink and entertainment as eat:Taunton attracted more than 18,000 visitors and hosted 110 local food and drink producers. The event further cemented Somerset’s growing reputation as a destination for culinary excellence.

These flagship celebrations were part of a wider programme of over 40 different events across the county – including school flag-raisings, historical tours, craft markets, parades and community picnics. The diversity of activities reflected Somerset’s unique blend of tradition, creativity and community spirit.

Nigel Muers-Raby, CEO of Passion for Somerset CIC, said:

“This weekend has been a phenomenal success and a true testament to the passion and pride that people across Somerset have for our beautiful county. To mark our 10th anniversary with such a vibrant programme of events has been deeply moving and we’re already excited about building something even bigger for next year.”

Serin Brown, Director of Passion for Somerset, added:

“This year was all about making Somerset Day more accessible than ever. With family-friendly events across the county, we focused on engaging future generations and creating joyful, inclusive ways to celebrate our local pride. From flag-waving toddlers to grandparents singing along with The Wurzels, it really was a celebration for everyone.”

Mark your calendars: Somerset Day 2026 is set for Monday 11th May, with a weekend of festivities beforehand.

The Passion for Somerset team extends heartfelt thanks to the volunteers, performers, sponsors, partners and organisations across the county who made Somerset Day 2025 such a special milestone.

‍