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.
Until Saturday, 18 April 2026
Exhibition: For the Love of Books
The Basement @ Bunyan, Mill Street
Free
2026 is the tenth anniversary of The Basement at Bunyan Community Art Gallery, a space that is not only a gallery, but also a space to celebrate books. As a birthday treat, the venue will host an exhibition of books, book illustrations and artwork using books.
On Saturday, 11 April, there will be storytelling and a book signing by David Litchfield and Julia Jarman. There will be ‘drop-in’ craft activities throughout the exhibition.
Thursday, 9 April 2026
Family fun: Easter activities
John Bunyan Museum, Mill Street @ 11am – 3pm
£2 per child / no booking required
Spring has sprung with the return of the John Bunyan Museum’s Crafty Thursday activities this Easter. Create bouncy spring-bunnies, pop-up cards, pictures and Easter decorations. Suitable for ages 4+.
Fancy a challenge? Explore the museum and take part in the free Easter Egg quiz. Complete the trail and find the answer to win a mini chocolate egg.
Thursday, 9 April 2026
Children’s Theatre: Nurse Dessy
The Place Theatre @ 11am
Free
Follow the beloved Nurse Dessie as she brings history to life, sharing the inspiring legacy of Mary Seacole and real-life stories from the Windrush generation. Designed for children and young people, this show fosters empathy, resilience, and cultural pride through creative sessions full of learning and fun. Children’s snacks and activity packs included!
Thursday, 9 April 2026
Family fun: Exciting Science
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 2pm
Tickets: £15
WARNING….WARNING…..EXTREME FUN ALERT!
This brand new, exciting and educational show will amaze and astound all ages from four years & upwards.
With fun and fact filled experiments, watch in amazement as the crazy scientists recreate a volcanic eruption, transform a vacuum cleaner into a missile launcher, and blast you with their incredible smoke blaster.
Prepare to be amazed!
Thursday, 9 April 2026
Film: A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
Stevington Cinema Club Stevington Village Hall, MK43 7QT@ 7.15pm
Tickets: £16
What if you could open a doorway and walk through it to re-live a defining moment from your past?
Sarah (Margot Robbie) and David (Colin Farrell) are single strangers who meet at a mutual friend’s wedding and soon, through a surprising twist of fate, find themselves on A Big Bold Beautiful Journey – a funny, fantastical, sweeping adventure together where they get to re-live important moments from their respective pasts, illuminating how they got to where they are in the present…and possibly getting a chance to alter their futures.
Ends on Sunday, 12 April
Family fun: Cardboard Clues – murder at the movies
The Higgins Bedford
£25/team
Don’t miss your last chance to become a detective and unravel a series of curious, whimsical mysteries in your local museum.
This season of Cardboard Clues at the Higgins Bedford ends on Sunday, so why not book with your friends and family over the Easter weekend?
Scour the Higgins Bedford to discover hidden clues and ‘cardboard’ characters, who could be suspects, witnesses or victims, guided by the Cardboard Clues app.
Connect the dots in the stories across the museum and test your wits and problem-solving skills. Perfect for families, friends, and curious minds looking for a unique experience in a fun setting.
Friday, 10 – Thursday, 23 April 2026
Exhibition: Muse
The Arc, Howard Street / Private view 10 April @ 6pm – 9pm
Free entry
An exhibition of paintings to music, and expressive figure studies by Fiona Wilson.
Friday, 10 April 2026
Art and culture: Bedford Art Society Meeting
Putnoe Heights Church, MK41 8EB @ 7.30pm
David Johnson will be demonstrating how to paint forest light in acrylics. More information can be found on their website.
Friday, 10 – Sunday, 12 April 2026
Film: Bedford Independent Film Festival 2026
The Quarry Theatre @ times vary
Tickets: Prices vary
After its inaugural event in 2025, the Bedford Independent Film Festival (BIFF) is back for 2026, celebrating the best of independent cinema.
Once again, the Quarry Theatre will host a weekend of cinematic joy, with a programme designed to delight filmmakers, cast, crew and enthusiasts alike.
Read: Lights, camera, Bedford: Independent film festival returns for 2026
Over the course of three days, the festival will feature a variety of independent feature films and a wide selection of shorts across an array of genres, showcasing work by new and established filmmakers from around the world.
Expect thought-provoking talks from industry professionals, as well as special networking events. Whether you’re a filmmaker seeking inspiration, a film lover looking for your next favourite, or just curious about the world of indie cinema, there’s something here for you. You can check out the full selection on their website.
Friday, 10 April 2026
Live music: Mechanical Animal ft Korn Again – NIN UK – Deaftones – Spouky Kids
Bedford Esquires @ 7pm
Tickets: £15 – £19
A whole evening of heavy sounds come to Esquires’ main stage this months, featuring a quadruple threat of tributes to Korn, Deftones, Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson.
Four bands, one mission – to lovingly recreate the sights and sounds of four heavyweights of the 00s alternative scene – don’t miss em.
Friday, 10 April 2026
Classical music: Philharmonia concert – Bruce Liu plays Ravel
Bedford Corn Exchange, St Paul’s Square @ 7.30pm
Tickets: prices vary
The Philharmonia welcomes outstanding pianist Bruce Liu to Bedford.
Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G was inspired by the jazz he heard on a tour of the United States. Ravel frames a serenely beautiful Adagio with outer movements of carefree, effervescent energy. It’s the perfect showcase for the “magician’s fingers” (Le Monde) of Bruce Liu, winner of the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition.
Tchaikovsky himself said that his Fifth Symphony represented “a complete resignation before Fate”, but that hasn’t stopped it becoming a firm audience favourite. It opens with the sound of funereal footsteps on the clarinet. A singing horn melody gives the second movement a more hopeful mood, but the fateful ‘footsteps’ theme returns in the third movement waltz, and triumphs in the stormy finale.
To open, conductor Ryan Bancroft has chosen Britten’s Four Sea Interludes. They’re taken from his opera Peter Grimes, a compelling portrait of a fishing community whose lives are intertwined with the sea and the weather. The orchestra vividly depicts the different faces of the sea, from dawn tranquility to a fearsome storm.
Saturday, 11 April 2026
Sci-fi: Bedford Who Charity Con
Kings House, Ampthill Road @ 10am – 5.30pm
Tickets: £49/£20
Two incarnations of the nation’s favourite Time Lord – Colin Baker and Jo Martin – will be in Bedford this spring when they appear at the town’s annual charity Doctor Who convention, Bedford Who Charity Con.
Colin played the Doctor in the 1980s, and Jo played the Doctor from 2020 to the present. They’ll be joined by a host of other celebrity guests, including Nicola Bryant (Peri), Terry Molloy (Davros), and David Banks (the leader of the Cybermen in the classic series).
There are around half a dozen annual Doctor Who conventions in the UK, and Bedford Who is generally rated as one of the best of all [of course! – Ed]. The convention has a strong reputation for being fun, friendly, relaxed, informal, and for having a great atmosphere.
For tickets, please go to the convention’s website at bedfordwhocharitycon.co.uk
From Saturday, 11 April 2026
Social sport: Pickleball Courses
Various venues in Bedford Town – visit booking page from 12.30pm
Ticket price: £65 for whole course
Want to learn a new sport, meet new friends and have fun? Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis and it’s is easy to learn and fun to play.
Bedford Pickleball offer beginners courses where you’ll go through all the shots and technique, scoring and tactics. You will be having rallies by the end of the first lesson in this fun introduction to Pickleball.
Saturday, 11 April – Saturday, 9 May 2026
Exhibition: Dead Pub Signs of Bedfordshire Reimagined
The Burnaby Arms, Stanley Street
Free entry
Head to the Burnaby Arms this month for an exhibition of reimagined signs of long-lost pubs created by local artists.
Reminisce about Bedfordshire’s lost pubs over a drink – and you can pick up copies of Lloyd Lugsden’s Dead Pubs of Bedfordshire series while you’re there. Cheers!
Saturday, 11 April 2026
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Morning walk meeting place: Harrold Odell Country Park, MK43 7DS @ 10am
Afternoon walk meeting place: Roxton Village Hall, MK44 3EB, park considerately in the village @ 1.30pm
After meeting at Harrold Odell Country Park, take part in a 12.5-mile walk along the Three Counties way and the North Beds Heritage Trail to Clifton Reynes, then Newton Blossomville and Turvey.
In the afternoon (meeting at 1.30pm), walk the Roxton Circular, including part of the North Beds Heritage Trail (7.5 miles).
Saturday, 11 April 2026
Live music: Collision Festival
Bedford Esquires @ 12pm – 11pm
Tickets: £30
A curated all day event of new noise as Collision Festival returns for 2026!
For those of you who like things a little heavier, Collision have been putting together exceptional line ups for some time now. After a break this year, we’re really pleased to see them return to the venue, with their first wave of artists including the likes of Dream State, Lastelle and Native James.
Sunday, 12 April 2026
Shopping: Bedford Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce Market is back
Harpur Square @ 10am – 3pm
Free
One of our favourite events, the Bedford Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce Market, is back with its first market of 2026, and we can’t wait.
The usual eclectic mix of traders can be found at their new location on Harpur Square, with live music sponsored by The Cellar Bar and and array of delicious street food to keep your strength up. Expect a mix of antiques and vintage, talented artists, and locally produced food, drink, skincare and homewares.
Sunday, 12 April 2026
Walking: “The Jewel in Bedford’s Crown” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the What’s On Hub in Silver Square
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
Bedford’s guided walks are back!
Read: Bedford Tour Guides: Explore the rich tapestry of Bedford’s history
The 2026 season kicks off with an absolute belter: a stroll along the Jewel in Bedford’s Crown – the River Great Ouse and its Embankment. This entertainig and informative circular walk takes you along the banks of the river, which has been described as one of the finest riverside settings in England. Learn the story of the Victorian Embankment development and enjoy a walk in the ornamental gardens.
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Sunday, 12 April 2026
Classical music: Cantamus Chamber Choir
St Peter de Merton Church, Bedford @ 3pm
Tickets: £10 on the door
Motets by J S Bach and works celebrating the 400th anniversary of John Dowland and the 450th anniversary of Thomas Weelkes. Conductor: Gary Mudd.
Tickets in aid of church funds
Sunday, 12 April 2026
Live music: The Feelgood Band play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Playing all your favourite Dr. Feelgood tunes and some you didn’t know you knew. Covering all the lineups from Wilko to Steve Walwyn.
Sunday, 12 April 2026
Live music: Jim Jones All Stars
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £22
Jim Jones All Stars are finally returning to Esquires this month after they had to cancel an almost-sold out show earlier in the year due to illness. We can’t wait to have them back.
Monday, 13 April 2026
Mindfullness: Bedford Embankment Group Walk
Meet outside the Bedford Swan Hotel @ 6.15pm
Free
Join Rachel for a mindful walk based on the teachings of mindfulness and meditation.
The group will start with an introduction and wellbeing check before walking to the Butterfly Bridge. At the bridge, Rachel will guide you through the meditation practice before walking towards and finishing at the Riverside Bar.
This second half will be in complete silence and the group will pause to have some time of stillness by the two bridges where you can hear the peaceful sounds of the water to watch your thoughts wash away!
The silence will be broken by ending the walk with a gratitude prompt.
Wednesday, 15 – Saturday, 18 April 2026
Musical theatre: Avenue Q
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm & Saturday matinee @ 2.30pm
Tickets: £22
Avenue Q is a laugh-out-loud, Tony Award-winning musical that is full of heart, with gut-busting humour and a delightfully catchy score, not to mention puppets.
Although the show addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children’s show; a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good, life lessons are learned and the message that everything in life is only for now.
Due to adult themes, Avenue Q is recommended for ages 13+.
Thursday, 16 April 2026
Live music: Dave McCabe (The Zutons) + James Jay Lewis
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £22.50
The Zutons frontman Dave McCabe is embarking on a new chapter in his musical journey as a solo artist, bringing a stripped-back, intimate live show to towns and cities across the UK.
He will be joined on the road by very special guest James Jay Lewis, a celebrated singer-songwriter in his own right and a regular member of both Cast and The Zutons.
Thursday, 16 April 2025
NT Live screening: All My Sons
Stevington Cinema Club Stevington Village Hall, MK43 7QT@ 7.15pm
Tickets: £16
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths) feature in a five-star, triumphantly acclaimed new production of Arthur Miller’s classic play, from visionary director Ivo Van Hove (A View from the Bridge).
One family, the heart of the American dream. When wartime delivers profits for Joe, it comes at a price when his partner is charged with criminal manufacturing deals, and his eldest son goes missing in action. Will peacetime bring peace of mind, or will he be confronted by the consequence of his actions?
Filmed live from the West End, Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You), Tom Glynn-Carney (House of the Dragon), and Hayley Squires (I, Daniel Blake) also feature in this disturbingly prescient play.
Thursday, 16 April 2026
Comedy: Castle Comedy’s 14th birthday show
The Quarry Theatre @ 7pm
Tickets: £20
Join Paul Revill for Castle Comedy’s 14th birthday show with headliner Milton Jones and Sean Heydon, as seen on Britain’s Got Talent.
Friday, 17 April 2026
Live music: The Guest List
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14
Formed in early 2021, The Guest List quickly made a name for themselves in the Manchester music scene with mature lyricism, energetic performances, and an ever-growing online and live fan base. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Cai Alty, lead guitarist Tom Quigley, bassist Sid Wallace, drummer Angus Gilchrist, and rhythm guitarist Leio Hunter.
From the start, The Guest List stood out with their blend of melodic guitar riffs and relatable lyrics, capturing the essence of a modern band while maintaining a fresh and authentic sound.
In 2024, tracks ‘London’ and ‘Loose Tongue’ significantly boosted the band’s presence in the live music scene. Both songs were produced by James Skelly, frontman of The Coral, at Liverpool’s Kempston Street Studios and featured on BBC 6Music.
Saturday, 18 April 2026
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Morning walk meeting place: Bedford Railway Station, MK40 1DS 7AW @ 7.50am
Afternoon walk meeting place: Old Warden Village Hall, SG18 9HQ @ 1.30pm
This week’s morning walk (meeting at Bedford Station at 7.50am) is a 7.8-mile walk around the churches of Kiburn and Hampstead as part of the annual London Unlock Churches walk.
In the afternoon (meeting at 1.30pm), the 7-mile walk is through Palmers Wood, across the Greensand Ridge on part of the North Beds Heritage Trail.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, 18 April 2026
Shopping: Record Store Day
Slide Records, The Old Arcade @ 8am
Celebrate Slide Record Store’s favourite day of the year!
The annual celebration of independent record shops and record shop culture takes place this Saturday and as ever, the team at Slide will be
throwing a party with brilliant super limited records, DJ legends Roll Your Own Records on the decks and damn good vibes.
Whether you are an early bird queuer or leisurely browser head to The Arcade to celebrate; they’d love to see you.
Saturday, 18 April 2026
Community: Bangladesh Independence Day celebration
Harpur Square and the Harpur Suite @ midday – 7pm
Free
Two organisations are partnering this month to mark the 55th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence with the theme of ‘Asha’, meaning hope.
Read: Bedford to host Bangladesh Independence anniversary celebration
Bangladesh declared its independence on 26 March 1971, and to honour this historic milestone, iLearn Bedford and Queen’s Park Community Organisation (QPCO) will host a special community celebration titled ‘Asha’ (আশা) on Saturday, 18 April in Bedford town centre.
The day will feature a vibrant programme of cultural performances, reflections on the historical significance of independence, moments of remembrance, traditional cuisine, artisan crafts, and opportunities to engage with the stories and legacy of Bangladesh’s journey to nationhood.
Saturday, 18 April 2026
Books: Ruth Hogan presents The Light a Candle Society
The Panacea Museum @ 2.30pm
Tickets: £5
Bedford-based author, RuthHogan will be giving a talk on her latest book The Light a Candle Society at the Panacea Museum. Ruth will also be discussing her strong connection and deep love for the Foster Hill Road Cemetery, a place where many Panacea Society Members are buried, including the founder Mabel ‘Octavia’ Barltrop.
There will be plenty of time for audience questions after the talk, along with a chance to meet the author and buy copies of the book.
Saturday, 18 April 2026
Live music: Capella Entertainment
Blue Glass Wine Bar, 29/31 St Peter Street, Bedford, MK40 2PN @ 7pm
Tickets £15: Blue Glass – 01234 910570 or email info@theblueglass.co.uk
An unmissable evening of party favourites performed by Bedford’s singing trio, Capella Entertainment. Tickets can be purchased directly from the venue.
Saturday, 18 April 2026
Live music: PP Arnold
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £28
Few voices in British soul music carry the history, heart, and sheer emotional weight of P.P. Arnold.
The legendary “First Lady of Immediate Records” brings that unmistakable voice to Bedford Esquires for a full band experience, connecting deeply with her audience as she sings many of her ‘classic’ recordings like The First Cut Is The Deepest, Angel Of The Morning and more.
For long-time fans, it’s a chance to see a true icon up close. For newcomers, it’s an introduction to one of the most powerful and resilient voices in soul. For everyone, it’s a night of warmth, honesty, and timeless music.
Sunday, 19 April 2026
Walking: “The Rise and Fall of Bedford Castle” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the What’s On Hub in Silver Square
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
The Norman Conquest of Britain witnessed the introduction of castles to the landscape and in Bedford, a major castle was built in the 12th century. Walk through the old castle grounds, see the mound on which it once stood and hear the story of the castle and its demise in the siege of 1224. This year witnesses the 800th anniversary of the Great Siege of Bedford Castle in 1224.
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Sunday, 19 April 2026
Live music: The Polaroidz play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Relive the sounds of the alternative music scene from ’79-’89. An afternoon of 80’s New Wave / Synth Pop / Post Punk as The Polaroidz return to Esquires for a Sunday Afternoon Session.
At the Higgins Bedford
Exhibition: Noel Carrington: Nothing Need Be Ugly
The Higgins Bedford @ extended until 2 September
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.
