Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford Clanger what’s on guide lands every Wednesday and is the only guide you need to find out what’s on and what’s happening across the Borough for the next 11 days.
The Bedford Clanger’s What’s On Guide is kindly sponsored by Bedford Esquires.
Wednesday, 3 – Sunday, 7 December 2025
Community and charity: Bedford Christmas Tree Festival
St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square MK40 1SQ @ Wed-Sat 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12pm – 4pm.
Entry: £4 / under 16 years free
Celebrate 25 years of the Bedford Christmas Tree Festival and browse 70 trees decorated with this year’s theme of ‘Christmas Past, Present and Future’. There are daily music performances and competitions for all.
Wednesday, 3 December 2025
Christmas: Fizz at the Festival
St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square MK40 1SQ @ 6pm – 8pm
Tickets: £12 (in aid of St Paul’s church and Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends)
Enjoy fizz and canapés with friends and colleagues at this private viewing of the magical Christmas Tree Festival in sparkling evening light. Open to everyone.
Tickets in advance by calling 01234 340163 (10 – 4pm Monday to Friday) or emailing fizzatthefestival@stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk.
Wednesday, 3 December 2025
Theatre: A Pleasing Terror
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £14.50
Two ghost stories by M R James
Performed by R M Lloyd Parry
Over a century after they were first published, the ghost stories of M R James retain their power to terrify and amuse. This gripping one man show retells two of the earliest and eeriest.
In Canon Alberic’s Scrap-book, a young Cambridge antiquary discovers the devil in the details of an old book in a medieval town in the French Pyrenees… In The Mezzotint a ghoulish revenge is enacted within a work of art, before the helpless eyes of a museum curator in Oxford…
Wednesday, 3 December 2025
Comedy: Angela Barnes – Angst
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £18
Angela Barnes presents her brand new tour show called “Angst”, and is stopping off at Esquires as part of her UK tour thisDecember, courtesy of the fine people at Jesterlaf Comedy Club, who have brought such names to the venue as Jo Brand, Tom Davis, Judi Love and Rob Beckett.
Having won the BBC New Comedy Award back in 2011 Angela’s gone on to appear on ‘Live At The Apollo’ and ‘Mock The Week’ plus numerous commissions and appearances for BBC Radio 4 such as ‘The News Quiz’ and ‘Newsjack’ as a panelist and presenter alongside her own shows including the four-episode production of her 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival show “You Can’t Take It With You” and 2019 show ‘Cold War Series’.
This show contains swearing and is seated.
Thursday, 4 December 2025
Live music: Irish Music Folk Night
The Castle, Newnham Street @ 7.30pm
Free entry
Head to The Castle on Newnham Street for some foot tapping Irish tunes and a great craic.
Thursday, 4 December 2025
Comedy: Aurie Styla’s Christmas Crack-Up
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £28.50
After a year of performing worldwide, award-winning comedian Aurie Styla is back on tour with his biggest one to date.
Thursday, 4 December 2025
Live music: The Ogretones
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15
Just when you think you’ve seen it iall, a nine-piece Shrek tribute band, pops up, playing all your favourites from the excellent Shrek canon.
And dressing up as Shrek characters is highly encouraged…
Hailing from the swamps of Hampshire, The Ogretones are the UK’s #1 musical tribute to the Shrek soundtracks. Featuring multiple vocalists and a full brass section, this nine-piece band will have you singing, dancing and partying like it’s still 2001…
They’ve been hard at work watching (and re-watching) the films and picking all their favourite tunes to pack into the setlist, so expect hits from Smash Mouth, Counting Crows, Led Zeppelin, Buzzcocks, Wolfmother, Heart, The Monkees, The Proclaimers, Lipps Inc, Bonnie Tyler, David Bowie, Willie Nelson, Joan Jett, Paul McCartney, Ricky Martin and more.
Thursday, 4 December 2025
Quiz: Esquires’ monthly music quiz
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm
£2 per person/maximum of six per team
Head to Esquires for their monthly music quiz on the first Thursday of every month. Teams of up to six people compete in the quiz featuring music from the 50s to the present. Cash prize for the winning team.
Friday, 5 December – Saturday, 3 January 2025
Christmas: Shuttleworth in Lights
Shuttleworth Collection and Swiss Gardens, SG18 9DT @ times vary
Tickets: £17.50/£16 (adult) | £10 (ages 3 – 15)
Shuttleworth’s dedicated team will once again turn their collection and Swiss Garden into an illuminated experience that shows Shuttleworth in a whole new light [see what we did there?]. Produced entirely in-house, the light trail lets you explore Swiss Garden’s quirky features aglow in vibrant colours, with some fun interactive elements and photo-worthy moments.
In the Collection hangars, Shuttleworth’s iconic aircraft, vehicles, and machines will be bathed in light. As this is an outside event, warm, waterproof protective clothing and footwear is recommended.
Friday, 5 December 2025
Quiz: Big Christmas Raise the Roof Quiz
The Place Theatre @ 7pm
Tickets: £3
Join the Place team for their last festive quiz of the year! The bar will be open and there might even be some mince pies!
Friday, 5 December 2025
Classical music: Christmas Tree Festival concert featuring Amici Music
St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square MK40 1SQ @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £25 (in aid of St Paul’s church and Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends). Available from peoplesfundraising.com/concert-tickets.
Twenty-five talented musicians are celebrating 25 years of the Bedford Christmas Tree Festival by performing seasonal favourites including Bach, Mozart and Vivaldi.
Friday, 5 December 2025
Live music: Mên an Tol + Tooth
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
Formed in the orbit of a South London pub, the spirit of Mên An Tol channels the raw grit of folk greats like The Pogues and The Waterboys alongside the mainstage urgency and confidence of Britpop giants.
Perhaps most vitally, the songs proudly reclaim lost folk traditions with the use of the mandolin coupled with vibrant storytelling.
Friday, 5 December 2025
Dance music: Roll Your Own Records’ 10th birthday party
Herd, St Cuthbert’s Street @ 5pm onwards
Free entry
Andy and Dave from Roll Your Own Records are celebrating holding down the sound in Bedford town for the last decade by holding a birthday party at Herd.
Cheers, RYOR!
Saturday, 6 and Sunday, 7 December 2025
Shopping: Bedford Christmas Craft Market, Bedford Flea and Outdoor Cinema
Harpur Square and the Harpur Suite @ 10am – 8pm
Over the first weekend in December, Harpur Square will be a-buzz with Christmas markets and there will also be a large screen showing Christmas films from 10am-8pm, a bar, and food available to purchase.
Why not combine with a visit to the St Paul’s
Saturday, 6 December 2025
Festive family fun: Letters to Santa
Bedford Central Library, Harpur Square
Free
Take part in this free craft session at Bedford Central Library to make a letter to send to Father Christmas.
Saturday, 6 December 2025
Film: Bedford Film Night – Festive Edition featuring two sceenings, food and a film quiz
St Andrews Church Community Centre Main Hall, Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2PF @ 3.15pm – 9.30pm
Tickets: £3 Standard – Film 1: Bend It Like Beckham (15:30) / £5 Standard – Film 1: Audience Choice Christmas movie (19:15) movie quiz participation only / £10 Silver Ticket – Entry to Film 2 only (19:15) Finger-food buffet included and movie quiz participation / £8 Premiere Ticket – Entry to both films, finger-food buffet included and movie quiz participation (Best-value full-evening package)
Bedford Film Night returns with The Festive Edition, their firs annual special event combining film screenings, interactive entertainment and seasonal food into one warm and welcoming event for all.
The first screening is of Bend It Like Beckham (doors open 3.15pm screening 3.30pm), the 2002 sports comedy/drama about a young girl who bends the rules to reach her goal to become a professional footballer. But her traditional parents refuse to even consider it and want her to hang up her football boots, find a nice boy and learn to cook.
The second screening is an ‘audience choice’ Christmas film (doors open 6pm, screening starts at 7.20pm).
There will also be festive food and a film quiz. Email ufpfilmclub@gmail.com for tickets and info or visit eventbrite.
Saturday, 6 December 2025
Music: The Rolling Stones Now
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £15.50
The band who have been strutting, pouting and riffing now for over 27 years are inviting you to don your dancing shoes and join in the rock’n’roll party!
The Rolling Stones Now is a celebration of all that has made The Rolling Stones legendary. In full costumes, recreating the Stones live shows of the late 60’s – 90’s, Mick’s pout, Keith’s riffs and Bill’s stony face are all on show as the band play some of the greatest songs ever written including It’s only Rock ‘n’ Roll, Jumpin Jack Flash, Paint it Black, Midnight Rambler, Gimme Shelter and Sympathy for the Devil.
Saturday, 6 December 2025
Live music: The Quireboys’ Office Christmas Party
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20
A message from The Quireboys’ singer, Spike: “For everyone who’s asked why there are no shows down south on this tour, I’m pleased to announce ‘The Quireboys Office Christmas Party’ on 6 December at Bedford Esquires. So now we can get together and have drink and a laugh. Also I’ll be getting up and singing ‘A Stones Throw’ with our special tour guests ‘Soho Dukes’.”
Saturday, 6 December 2025
Live music: Special Kinda Madness
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15
Special Kinda Madness are back in Bedford for their annual gig with their classic take on Madness and The Specials.
The band perform a truly authentic set from each band, combining the phenomenally energetic stage presence of The Specials with the wonderful iconic tunes of the Madness ‘Nutty Boys’. Playing a set from each band and producing a show that will have the audience up and dancing from the off, Special Kinda Madness will have everyone hankering after that exciting era of 2-Tone and ska.
Sunday, 7 December 2025
Shopping: Artisan Fair
Bromham Mill MK43 8LP @ 10am – 2pm
Free entry
Step into the festive spirit at Bromham Mill’s annual Christmas Fair – their last of the season, set in the charming surroundings of the historic mill. Browse a delightful selection of stalls featuring handmade gifts, festive crafts, decorations, and local treats.
Sunday, 7 December 2025
Live music: The Dirty Rhodes Band play the Sunday afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Playing a fantastic blend of jazz, funk and soul, The Dirty Rhodes Band return to Esquires for a Sunday Afternoon Session.
Sunday, 7 December 2025
Festive fun: Step into Christmas
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £3
This Christmas feel-good show brings all the magic of the season to life, with all your favourite songs including All I Want for Christmas Is You, Last Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, Stay Another Day, Let it Snow, White Christmas, Do They Know it’s Christmas, A Winter’s Tale, Merry Xmas Everybody, and many many more!
Sunday, 7 December 2025
Poetry: Read Poets – Eighth Midwinter Chill
The Eagle Bookshop @ 7pm
Tickets: Free, but please book via the Place Theatre website
Join the Swan Poetry Society for their monthly reading of poems reflecting the season. This month’s theme is – Midwinter Chill.
This monthly event takes place at The Eagle Bookshop in St Peter’s Street.
Tuesday, 9 December 2025
Live music: Christmas Quiz Night
The Castle, Newnham Street @ 7.30pm
£2 entry per person
Join Fran for the Castle’s monthly Quiz Night – with an extra Christmassy theme!
Maximum teams of six people and £2 entry per person. The Winning team get the pot; booking advised 01234 353295.
Tuesday, 9 and Tuesday, 16 December 2025
Festive music: Jazz festive lunch
Forest of Marston Vale @ 12.30pm
Two course meal £30 per person | Three course meal £36 per perso
Celebrate the season in smooth style with the Forest Centre’s Jazz Festive Lunch – a relaxing afternoon of delicious food and live music.
Enjoy a festive two or three-course Christmas lunch, accompanied by the soulful sounds of live jazz duo Jazz The Two Of Us performing throughout the afternoon.
Wednesday, 10 December 2025
RBO screening: The Nutcracker
Stevington Cinema Club Stevington Village Hall, MK43 7QT@ 6.30pm
Tickets: £16
This classical festive ballet combines the thrill of the fairy tale with spectacular dancing. It is the perfect Christmas treat for all the family.
Wednesday, 10 December – Tuesday, 23 December 2025
Theatre: Robin Hood
The Place Theatre @ 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Tickets: from £16
Join utter legends Robin, Marian and the Merry Men in Sherwood Forest for a hilariously adventurous take on the timeless tales of everyone’s favourite archer.
Pernicious Prince John and the shifty Sheriff of Nottingham have hatched a plan to put a stop to Robin Hood’s charitable crime spree once and for all. Can they outwit the outlaw? Or will Robin hit the target once again?
Find out in the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons’ innovative take on the myth featuring live music and audience interaction.
Prepare to have your blocks busted, your rips roared and your swashes well-and-truly buckled!
Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Choral music: Christmas with Continuum – world class voices: local roots
St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £25
Former Bedford School Chapel Choir member, Harry Guthrie, founded Continuum in 2018, bringing together a group of outstanding young singers who first met as choral scholars at Cambridge University.
This year’s Christmas With Continuum concert programme includes festive favourites such as In dulci jubilo, Gaudete, The Holly and the Ivy, and In the Bleak Midwinter, alongside seasonal classics by Benjamin Britten, Vaughan Williams, Herbert Howells and Eric Whitacre.
Tickets available on Eventbrite here.
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Reminiscence Session: Ukrainian Christmas Folk Traditions
The Higgins Bedford @ 11am – 12.30pm
Free, drop in
Explore the Higgins’ Ukrainian Folk and Heritage exhibition and learn about Christmas traditions, along with sharing some festive treats.
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Brass music: Bands of Bedford Brass Christmas Charity Concert
Kempston East Methodist Church @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £8 / children free
Celebrate the festive season with Bands of Bedford Brass at their annual Christmas Charity Concert. This special event promises a joyful evening filled with Christmas music, perfect for all ages. The concert is supporting the Sue Ryder Charity.
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Theatre: A Christmas Carol
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £14.50
Following a sell-out performance in 2023, the award-winning Dyad Productions are bringing Dickens’ classic and perennially relevant ghost story back to the Quarry Theatre.
It’s Christmas Eve, and the miserly misanthrope, Ebenezer Scrooge, is about to have a ghostly night he’ll never forget.Dickens’ festive, immortal tale of redemption and compassion is brought to life in Dyad’s inimitable solo style.
Draw near for an evening of mistletoe and merriment in the company of Marley, Fezziwig, and Cratchit et al to discover the true meaning of Christmas: tenderness for the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future.
Ebenezer lives in us all, and this glorious tale reminds us how not to give in to the Scrooge within.
Friday, 12 December 2025
Theatre : James Phelan – The Man Who Was Magic
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £20
Dare to believe in magic as the UK’s #1 magic show returns with a completely new and uplifting production for 2025.
You’re invited to a night of wonder, as secrets unravel and the impossible becomes possible.
Following an unprecedented 5 years of sold-out shows around the world – this five star magic show guarantees to leave you aching with laughter & dizzy in disbelief.
Presented by world-renowned award-winning magician James Phelan, the first magician in history to sell out a solo-run at The Magic Circle – and most infamous for jamming the BBC switchboard after he correctly predicted the lottery.
Friday, 12 December 2025
Live music: An evening with Toby Lee & Isabella Coulstock
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm
Tickets: £18
It’s lovely when an artist likes Esquires as much as Esquires likes them! Just fresh out the door from his headline, full band show, guitar maestro, Toby Lee returns to Esquires with his partner in crime, Isabella Coulstock, for an evening of stripped back songs and stories.
Saturday, 13 December 2025
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Bedford Priory Park, MK41 9DJ @ 1.30pm
A 5.5-mile festive walk from Priory Country Park along Bedford Embankment.
Please bring a drink, snack or lunch as the group always stops for a break. Check out the North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ excellent website for further information.
Saturday, 13 December 2025
Screening: The Snowman
The Quarry Theatre @ 12.15pm & 1.30pm
Tickets: from £6
A young boy can’t believe his eyes one winter’s night when a snowman comes to life, and an unforgettable adventure begins…
Enjoy a special screening of the timeless classic animated film, The Snowman, featuring a live performance of Howard Blake’s musical score, specially adapted for brass band and performed for you by the Hitchin Band together with a pianist and young solo singer.
Since 2017 Hitchin Band has performed the Snowman to over 7,000 people. For many it has become a must see family tradition marking the start of Christmas.
Saturday, 13 December 2025
Festive music: Bedford Choral Society’s Family Christmas Concert
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 3pm
Tickets: £10
A Christmas concert for all the family, featuring a selection of traditional Christmas carols and well-loved Christmas music, new and old.
Saturday, 13 December 2025
Live music: The Devout (Depeche Mode Tribute)
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15
Selling out venues up and down the UK, The Devout (Depeche Mode Tribute) return to Bedford, bringing the Depeche Mode experience to another level visually, aurally and musically.
The Devout’s show transports the audience back to a Depeche Mode concert, at their peak with authentic reproductions of the songs together with astounding visuals, that take the audience back to those great innovative tours.
Expect to hear a selection of classic tracks right across the full back catalogue from Speak & Spell in the early days through to the last Mode classics with fan favourites, singles and deep album cuts.
The Devout are known to play sets for over 2.5 hours, and an early arrival is essential for this show.
Saturday, 13 December 2025
Live music: The 113 + Bandit + Noseghost
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
The 113’s sound is visceral, spitting emotionally charged melodies that hit hard yet move bodies. Though firmly rooted in punk traditions, the band draws inspiration from hip‑hop’s lyrical approach, blending raw storytelling with driving force.
Known for their energetic live shows, they have attracted interest from notable national and international festivals and notched up several impressive support slots with acts including Egyptian Blue, CHALK and Temples.
Sunday, 14 December 2025
Festive fun: Bedford Santa Run 2025
The Embankment @ 11am
£10/adult (includes Santa suit) / £5/child (includes festive headband) / £30/family (2 x adult 3 x children)
Get that festive feeling by joining hundreds of Santas running around the
Embankment in Bedford – all in aid of Keech Hospice. Come and join in the fun and help Keech continue to provide specialist care for their patients and their families.
Sunday, 14 December 2025
Festive family fun: Sunday Crafternoon
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane @ 2pm – 4pm
Join local artists for these creative activity sessions for families to have a go at making together. All resources are provided. Suitable for under 12s.
Sunday, 14 December 2025
Music: Five Star Swing at Christmas
The Quarry Theatre @ 2.30pm
Tickets: £18.50
Swing into Christmas – with the unique Five Star Swing Band show – As featured at London’s Leicester Square Theatre and BBC “Children in Need”.
Enjoy all your favourite Christmas songs with the dynamic swing band treatment from Glenn Miller, Sinatra, Basie, Nat King Cole – jazzing up those Jingle Bells!
Sunday, 14 December 2025
Live music: The X-Certs play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
This Herts-based covers band plays new-wave, power-pop and classic rock from the 60s, 70s and 80s. They play the music they love, and it shows.
At the Higgins Bedford
Exhibition: Noel Carrington: Nothing Need Be Ugly
The Higgins Bedford
Free entry
Curated by writer and publisher Joe Pearson, this exhibition tells the story of publishing’s unsung hero Noel Carrington (1895–1989). Schooled in Bedford with his sister Dora, Noel Carrington became one of the most influential figures in 20 th century design. Through the Puffin Picture Books and Country Life he commissioned, edited and published some of Britian’s most loved children’s picture books.
Read: Celebrating Bedford’s unsung publishing hero: Noel Carrington and Puffin Picture Books
He saw the genius in artists such as Kathleen Hale, publishing books about Orlando the Marmalade Cat and championed emerging artists such as Hilary Stebbing. With Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden and Mervyn Peake he commissioned books such as ‘High Street’, ‘Life in an English Village’ and ‘Captain Slaughterboard’.
Through beloved children’s books, forgotten gems and original artwork this exhibition will take Noel Carrington out of the footnotes and into the spotlight.
Exhibition: Edward Bawden – Printmaker
The Higgins Bedford until 26 April
Free entry
Take a trip to the Higgins Bedford to explore the Edward Bawden Printmaker exhibition, which celebrates Bawden’s remarkable legacy as ‘The Master of the Linocut’ and offers visitors a chance to delve into his innovative techniques and artistic achievements.
At the Panacea Museum
Permanent exhibition: Discover the amazing story of a unique religious community
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd, Bedford MK40 3NX
11am – 5pm (last entry 4.30) Thursday – Sunday
Free entry
This fascinating hidden gem of a museum tells the story of the Panacea Society – a Christian group formed in the early twentieth century who created their own ‘Garden of Eden’ in the centre of Bedford.
The Panacea Museum is located across several Victorian buildings that formed the community’s headquarters. It tells the story of the Panacea Society and other similar religious groups.
Exhibition: The Panacea Society and the Second World War
The Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd, Bedford MK40 3NX @ Thursday to Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Free entry
A new social history exhibition has opened at the Panacea Museum this month, exploring the unseen story of this remarkable society and World War II.
Read: New exhibition: The Panacea Society and the Second World War
The beautiful gardens surrounding the Museum are currently filled with blossoming trees, birds, butterflies and bees, and a stroll through the grounds is a highly recommended in addition to a visit to the museum.
Every Tuesday
Community: Tuesday Chess Café
The Pavilion in the Park @ 2pm – 4pm
Free
If you’re a keen chess player or have always wanted to learn, then the weekly chess cafe at the Pavilion in the Park is for you.
Players meet every week and there’s no membership, no fee – just turn up. All you need to do is buy a coffee to support the venue. Any standard, from complete novice to Grand Master, welcome.
