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.
Thursday, 5 February 2026
Heritage and culture: Panacea Museum re-opens for 2026
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Road MK40 3NX @ Thursday – Saturday 10am – 4pm
Free entry
After its seasonal closure, the Panacea Museum is reopening for 2026, telling the story of the Panacea Society – a Christian group formed in the early twentieth century that created its own ‘Garden of Eden’ in the centre of Bedford.
Located across several Victorian buildings that formed the community’s headquarters, the museum is a fascinating look behind the scenes at this secretive society. Highly recommended.
Thursday, 5 February 2026
Exhibition: The Garden Press
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd @ Thursday – Saturday 10am – 4pm
Free entry
As it reopens for 2026, The Panacea Museum presents a new exhibition about the Society’s publishing company, The Garden Press, which printed leaflets, posters, books and magazines, sharing their Healing offer and encouraging people to support the opening of Joanna Southcott’s Box of Prophecies.
Thursday, 5 – Saturday, 7 February 2026
Theatre: Yes, Prime Minister
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm each night
Tickets: from £15
From the writers of the original television series Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister comes the equally sharply satirical stage version.
Thursday, 5 February 2026
Live music: Irish Folk Night
The Castle, Newnham Street @ 8.30pm
Free entry
A lively evening in the Castle featuring some amazing musicians playing foot-tapping Irish tunes.
Friday, 6 February 2026
Comedy: The Noise Next Door
The Quarry theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £17
Funny stuff, made up on the spot by this super-talented, award-winning, Edinburgh-Fringe-selling-out improv group.
No gimmicks, no tricks – just the quickest, wittiest improvisers in the UK putting on a show to make you laugh like nobody’s business.
Friday, 6 February 2026
Live music: Blender – The Future Sessions
Bedford Esquires @ 7pm
Tickets: £8
The blender Future Sessions return to Esquires next February, showcasing the finest in new, local talent and featuring Baby Step, Lorea (formerly WKTD), The Deities and Somehting 2000.
Friday, 6 February 2026
Live music: Marquee Square Heroes
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £16
The celebrated Fish-era Marillion tribute band, Marquee Square Heroes, are coming to Bedford for the first time this month. The band perform a full-length show featuring carefully selected tracks from the Misplaced Childhood, Script for a Jester’s Tear, Fugazi, and Clutching at Straws eras.
Marquee Square Heroes comprise musicians who have played in bands such as Twelfth Night, Credo, and Jump, all of whom share a deep connection to the Marillion and Fish legacy. Their performances aim to deliver both faithful and passionate interpretations of this influential material.
Saturday, 7 February 2026
Collectables: CardMania
John Bunyan Sports and Fitness Centre @ 10am
Tickets: from £9.60
CardMania creates experiences for every kind of trading card fan — whether you’re into Pokémon, sports cards, TCGs, or simply love collecting. With dozens of dedicated sellers and specialists in attendance, you’ll step into a vibrant marketplace filled with cards, collectibles, accessories and endless opportunities to buy, sell and trade.
Explore the latest releases, hunt down vintage gems, connect with fellow collectors and enjoy a full day celebrating all things trading cards.
Saturday, 7 February 2026
Creative community: Bedford Artists’ Social
Albero Lounge (upstairs), Riverside Square @ 10.30am – midday
Free
A regular informal gathering of like-minded visual artists to network, share aspirations and chat.
There will be information on the community art gallery project, too and how you can get involved.
Saturday, 7 February 2026
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Wilstead, MK45 3DB @ 10am (Morning ramble – shorter/slower pace)
Wilstead, MK45 3DB @ 1pm
This weekend’s morning walk is a leisurely ramble (4.5 miles) around the Wilstead countryside,
The afternoon walk is part of the North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ 50th birthday celebrations. It will begin at the same point, but take a different route around the Wilstead countryside up onto Greensand Ridge (6 miles).
Saturday, 7 February 2026
Live music: The Boo Radleys + Freya Bear
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £5 – £18
Sonic adventurers who influenced the likes of Radiohead and Interpol, in the nineties The Boo Radleys released a succession of albums on Creation Records that encompassed Shoegaze (Everythings Alright Forever), Britpop (the Number 1 album Wake Up), feverish experimentalism (C’mon Kids) and absolutely everything in-between (‘Giant Steps’ – voted both Select Magazines & NME readers Album of the Year).
‘One of those rare treasures you find yourself putting on to shake off a bad day when normally only Pet Sounds or Revolver or even Bandwagonesque will do’ – NME
Saturday, 7 February 2026
Classical music: Bedford Charity Concert featuring Bedford Great Ouse Orchestra and Choir
St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Road @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14 / under 18s free
Bedford Great Ouse Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Christoper Ridley, perform works by Sibelius, Whittall, Elgar, Rautavaara’s Cantus Articus and feauring North Bedfordshire Youth Chamber Orchestra.
In support of Emmaus Village Carlton.
Saturday, 7 February 2026
Live music: Music in the church featuring My Girl the River and Serious Child
St Mary’s Church, Buckden, PE19 5TL @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £13.55
We know it’s out of the Borough, but it’s just up the A1 and the perfect opportunity to support the wonderful Bedford-based artist, My Girl the River. This will be an unforgettable night of live music in an intimate and atmospheric setting
Two brilliant artists from the worlds of Americana and British folk-pop join forces with double bassist Joe Hughes in a celebration of what brings us together.
Sunday, 8 February 2026
Live music: Devil’s Mojo play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
A Sunday afternoon set from Devil’s Mojo, an energetic, eclectic , contemporary and rock/pop covers band.
Monday, 9 February 2026
Stevington Cinema Club presents: Woolf Works
Stevington Village Hall, MK43 7QT@ 6.30pm
Tickets: prices vary
RBO’s resident choreographer Wayne McGregor’s experimental ballet triptych, inspired by the genre-defying works and writings of Virginia Woolf, set to an original score by Max Richter.
Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Classical music: Lunchtime recital
St Paul’s church, St Paul’s Square @ 1pm
Free with retiring collection
Step into the beautiful surroundings of St Paul’s church to enjoy a free lunchtime performance. This week’s recital is by Imogen Timmins, Philharmonia Instrumental Fellow (trumpet).
The programme features Rautavaara: Tarantara; Holmès: Noël d’Irlande; Hubeau: Sonata for Trumpet and Piano; Beach: Three Browning Songs; Peaslee: Nightsongs and Gershwin: Someone To Watch Over Me.
Originally from Cornwall, Imogen’s early love of Brass playing came from St Keverne Brass Band, which she joined at the age of eight. Having developed a keen interest in orchestral playing in her teens, Imogen undertook a Bachelor of Music degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2020.
As well as graduating with a First Class in 2024, she was also awarded The Lady Mayoress’ Prize for academic excellence and won the Christopher Horn Award for outstanding musical performance in 2024.
Imogen is currently enrolled on the Master of Performance course at the Royal College of Music, kindly supported by The Charles Ravel Scholarship, Help Musicians Postgraduate Award and the Lord Lieutenant’s Fund Award.
Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Bedford Film Society presents: Vermiglio (Italian with subtitles)
University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Avenue
Tickets: Annual membership £70 / day member £5
1944, Vermiglio, a remote mountain village.
The arrival of Pietro, a deserter, into the local teacher’s family, and his love for the teacher’s eldest daughter, will change the course of everyone’s life.
Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Quizzing: Fran’s Quiz Night
The Castle, Newnham Street @ 7.30pm
£2 entry per person
Join Fran for the Castle’s monthly quiz night. Winners get the pot!
Wednesday, 11 and Thursday, 12 February 2026
BRAVE Youth Theatre presents: Jason and the Argonauts and Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £12
Two shows created by The Place Theatre’s youth drama group, BRAVE.
One, a sweeping tale of gods, monsters, and the power of unity, the other, Shakespeare’s timeless, enchanting comedy.
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Art and culture: Noel Carrington exhibition tour
The Higgins Bedford @ 12 – 12.30pm
Tickets £3.95, conc £3.35 | Booking essential
Join the Higgins’ Keeper of Fine and Decorative Art for a lunchtime tour of some of the highlights of the Higgins’ latest exhibition.
Thursday, 12 February 2026
Reminiscence Session: Puffin Picture Books
The Higgins Bedford @ 11am – 12.30pm
Free, drop in
Come and share your favourite Puffin books and find out more about their history in the Higgins’ exhibition about Noel Carrington, their founder.
Thursday, 12 February 2026
Comedy: Castle Comedy Valentine Special
The Quarry Theatre @ 8pm
Tickets: £18
Castle Comedy is back at The Quarry Theatre with its traditional Valentine’s Special. Featuring Lloyd Griffith (Ted Lasso, Return to Paradise), Fiona Allen (Emmy-award-winning star of Smack the Pony) and David Eagle (award-winning musical comedy).
Hosted as ever by Paul Revell, the award-winning comedian and one of the most likeable acts on the UK comedy circuit.
Friday, 13 February 2026
Theatre: My Life with Kenneth Williams
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £22
In celebration of Kenneth Williams’ 100th birthday, David Benson revisits his classic portrait of the much-missed Carry On star in a new version of his show exploring the astonishing connection that intertwined his life with that of Williams when Benson was still a schoolboy.
A captivating raconteur in his own right, Benson has many tales to tell of his time as ‘the man who does Kenneth Williams’ and the adventures he has had since in an unconventional career.
Friday, 13 February 2026
Live music: Guns 2 Roses
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15
If you’re a GN’R fan then this is the night for you. One of the only tribute bands to have actually played live on stage with four members of Guns N’Roses themselves.
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Community: Love iLearn Bedford: Seed Swap and Community Treasure Sale
Methodist Church, London Road @ 11am – 3pm
Free entry
Love iLearn Bedford: Seed Swap and Community Treasure Sale combines a jumble sale with a plant and seed swap, encouraging sustainability, wellbeing, and neighbourly connection.
Read: Seed Swap and Treasure Sale aims to celebrate London Road community
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Classical music: Organ recital
St Paul’s church, St Paul’s Square @ midday
Free with retiring collection
Enjoy a free organ recital in the peaceful surroundings of St Paul’s Church in the heart of Bedford. This month’s recital is by Laurence Caldecote, assistant organist at All Saints, Northampton.
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Comedy: Biff to the Future
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £23
Fresh from an acclaimed, award-winning Edinburgh Festival Fringe premiere, Biff To The Future is a heartfelt and unauthorised parody that explores the highs and lows of a life chasing power, fame and fortune, reliving Biff’s encounters with Marty and Doc across the Back to the Future-verse.
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Community Theatre: Medea
The Place Theatre 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Tickets: from £12
Medea is a wife and a mother. For the sake of her husband, Jason, she’s left her home and borne two sons in exile. But when he abandons his family for a new life, Medea faces banishment and separation from her children.
Cornered, she begs for one day’s grace. It’s time enough. She exacts an appalling revenge and destroys everything she holds dear.
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Live music: The Pride play Valentines Day
Bedford Esquires @ 7pm
Tickets: £7
Join The Pride at their favourite venue (Bedford Esquires, obvs), for a Valentines Special. A night of authentic Reggae, Ska, and Rocksteady.
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Live music: Black and Gold
The Flowerpot, Tavistock Street @ 9pm
Free entry
An evening of Irish folk music from Black and Gold at this cosy town-centre pub.
Sunday, 15 February 2026
Family fun: Crafternoon with artist Marisa Straccia
The Higgins Bedford @ 2pm – 4pm
Free, drop-in, no need to book
Join local artist Marisa Straccia to make your own three-dimensional Orlanda cat model.
Orlando is one of the stars of the Noel Carrington exhibition and Marisa has created a cat template for you decorate and build. All resources are provided. Suitable for under 12s.
Sunday, 15 February 2026
Live music: Thr3e play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Firmly rooted in British 60’s and 70’s rock and blues but with influences ranging from old to the more recent, Thr3e return for a Sunday Afternoon Session.
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 @ Thursday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Free entry
This fascinating hidden gem of a museum tells the story of the Panacea Society – a secretive Christian group formed in the early twentieth century that created its 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.
As featured on BBC Radio 4’s Mark Steel’s in Town.
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.
