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.
New Year’s Eve
Live music: New Year’s Eve party with a live set by Frazzled
The Castle, Newham Street @ 6pm
Free entry
Early doors music to get your New Year’s Eve off to a cracking start at the Castle. Remale duo Frazzled sing a wide range of songs to get you dancing into 2026…
New Year’s Eve
Party: NYE 2025 Ft. Pulp’d vs Blur2 + Common People DJs & Mass C’s Kitchen Disco
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm – 2am
Tickets: £15
This NYE at Esquires, it’s an indie love-in on the main stage, with a double tribute special of Pulp’d and Blur2. Each band will be playing full sets to see in the new year in style, with Common People DJs spinning tunes throughout the night.
In Room 2, simply the finest DJ the town has to offer, MASS C will be taking you through a party hip hop beats and pop mixtape, in his own cut and paste style. Expect some of the biggest tunes of all time, seamlessly squished together in his very own ‘Kitchen Disco’.
Over 18s only.
Thursday, 1 January 2026
Community: Bedford NYD Parkrun
Bedford Park, Park Avenue @ 9am
Queen Eleanor Drive, Great Denham, MK40 4SQ @ 9am
Jubilee Park @ 9am
Free entry
On New Year’s Day, why not celebrate the first morning of 2026 at one of three Parkruns taking place throughout Bedford.
A truly special way to start the year. Run, jog or walk the 5km course or volunteer to help out – everyone is welcome!
New year, new habit? Be sure to register for your parkrun ID and print your barcode at parkrun.org.uk/register/
Saturday, 3 January 2026
Live music: The Ouse Valley Singles Club
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
Keeping up traditions of years gone by, The Ouse Valley Singles Club return to the main stage at Esquires to play what has become their ‘Annual First Gig Of The Year’ on the first Saturday in January.
Peddling a truly original and highly entertaining sound that has been dubbed “New Wave Skiffle”, they have been described as ‘George Formby meets The Clash’ where vaudeville music hall meets working men’s club.
The scourge of the ‘Metropolitan Liberal Elite’, The OVSC put on a show that gives a hysterical observational account of everyday tales of woe with a razor-sharp observational narrative whilst rocking the crowds with their infectious earworms.
Saturday, 3 January 2026
Walking: Saturday seasonal stroll
Silsoe MK45 4DR @ 10am
Silsoe MK45 4DR @ 1pm
Start 2026 off with the first of two seasonal walks around the gently rolling Central Bedfordshire countryside in Silsoe. Yes, it may be muddy, but only if it’s rained recently.
The morning walk is a five-miler, starting by the church on Silsoe High Street.
The second walk begins at 1pm and takes a slightly different route over five miles. You can do the walks individually, or as a longer 10-miler.
Please park considerately around the area.
Sunday, 4 January 2026
Live music: 10th anniversary Bowie Jam
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm – 8pm
Free entry
On the 79th anniversary of David Bowie’s birth, celebrate his life in music among the very best of Bedford’s local musicians as they play tribute to the Starman.
The annual Bowie Jam – now in its tenth year – is a unique jam night event at Esquires, in that you can show up with your guitar, bass, drumsticks, voice and make some music.
If you want to come along and play a specific song, email Charly (The Host) at porcelainwhite@gmail.com so your song is included and the band are rehearsed. Full bands are welcome as well as solo acts.
Thursday, 8 January 2026
Stevington Cinema Club presents: Bridget Jones – Mad About the Boy
Stevington Village Hall, Court Lane, MK43 7QT @ 6.30pm
Tickets: £vary
In its fourth instalment, widowed Bridget Jones juggles work, life and love in this romantic comedy, adapted from Helen Fielding’s novel.
Thursday, 8 January 2026
Live music: Irish Folk Night
The Castle, Newnham Street @ 8.30pm
Free entry
It’s the first Irish Folk Night of 2026, so head to the Castle for some foot-tapping folk with craic guaranteed!
Thursday, 8 January 2026
Live music: King King
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £25
As part of the 35th Anniversary shows at Bedford Esquires, comes a very special show from rock and blues legends King King.
King King have never been a band content to ride the crest of their self-made wave but instead have continued to work tirelessly to make that wave even bigger, stronger and ultimately better.
‘The best band in the world’ might be a bold statement to back up. But rest assured, Alan and the guys will give it their best shot every single night.
Friday, 9 & Sunday, 11 January 2026
National Theatre Live: Mrs Warren’s Profession
The Quarry Theatre @ 7pm (Friday) 2pm (Sunday)
Tickets: £15.50
Five-time Olivier Award winner Imelda Staunton joins forces with her real-life daughter Bessie Carter for the very first time, playing mother and daughter in George Bernard Shaw’s incendiary moral classic.
Vivie Warren is a woman ahead of her time. Her mother, however, is a product of that old patriarchal order. Exploiting it has earned Mrs Warren a fortune – but at what cost?
Saturday, 10 & Sunday, 11 January 2026
Book Sale: The Big Bumper Book Sale Weekend
The Place Theatre @ 10am – 3pm
Tickets: Free
The first Book Sale of 2026 takes place at The Place Theatre this month, and this time they are making a weekend of it.
Browse a huge selection of fiction and non-fiction books, have a coffee and some cake and relax in the theatre space. This welcoming venue will be open for you to explore and find out more about all the events The Place has coming up in 2026.
Saturday, 10 December 2026
Live music: Dressed To Kill – The Kiss tribute band
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15
Dressed to kill go to the nth degree in terms of attention to detaill with all four members in exact replica costumes, playing authentic make and model or exact replica instruments (and have received endorsements from KISS’ instrument manufacturers), and spend two hours on stage looking, moving and sounding exactly like KISS (including the between-song chatter, in character and with authentic New Yorker accents).
If that’s not enough, in striving for complete authenticity, the ‘Paul Stanley’ in the band even has the ‘trademark’ rose tattoo on his shoulder…
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.
