Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford Clanger’s 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, 6 May 2026
Walking: “Plaques and Plinths” 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)
Have you ever wondered about the stories behind some of the blue plaques that adorn several buildings around the town or wanted to know more about some of the statues and monuments that grace the town centre? This walk will reveal the stories behind the Plaques & Plinths and why such recognition is warranted.
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.
Thursday, 7 May 2026
Local history: Bunyan in Stained Glass
Bunyan Meeting Church @ 7pm
This talk by Jasmine Allen, the director and curator of the Stained Glass Museum in Ely, explores some of the many images of John Bunyan and his literary works in stained glass windows, including portraits of Bunyan and imagery inspired by The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Thursday, 7 May 2026
Live music: Aircooled + Guests
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £5 – £15
Aircooled pulls off the rare trick of making music that thrills ravers as much as it does heads. From warm, enveloping kraut-rock to spiralling, glossy space odysseys and pure-hearted pop, it’s disco music for smart people, party music for retired ravers.
Thursday, 7 May 2026
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, 8 May 2026
Talk: Noel Carrington and his Artists
The Higgins Bedford @ 2pm – 3pm
Tickets £7.75 per person, conc £6.20 | Booking Essential
Join exhibition curator, Joe Pearson, to learn more about the artists Carrington worked with, including Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, Stanley Roy Badmin, Enid Marx, Hilary Stebbing and Suzanne Einzig.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Art & creativity: Bedford Art Society Meeting
Putnoe Heights Church, MK41 8EB @ 7.15pm for 7:30pm start
Barry Herniman will be demonstrating how to sketch with Fude bent nib pens.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Comedy: Alex McAleer
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £16
Alex McAleer possesses the uncanny ability to apparently tap into his audience’s minds and read their thoughts at will – whether it’s at sold-out shows at the Edinburgh Festival or on one of his international award-nominated tours.
Alex combines mind-blowing moments with sharp wit, making it interactive, engaging, and laugh-out-loud funny.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Live music: Fidget and the Twitchers + Akkat Attack + The Allsorts
St Cuthbert’s Hall @ 7pm
Tickets: £10
Fidget and the Twitchers are a hyperactive, anti-fascist, offbeat festival-core skapunk band from Bristol, heading to Bedford this month. Akkat Attak are a Newcastle punk band, playing alongside The Allsorts, a band from the Living It Up performing arts centre made up of adults with learning disabilities.
If you require an essential companion ticket please email events@lovelivingitup.org to request a discount code. You will be able to add this at checkout to make the companion ticket free.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Live music: Luke Combs UK
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £26.50
Get ready to experience the heart and soul of country music, paying homage to one of the genre’s biggest stars. A night of incredible songs, authentic Southern vibes, and a whole lot of boot-stomping fun.
With sold-out shows up and down the UK and Ireland, Luke Combs UK does not disappoint. The image of Luke Combs and, more importantly that North Carolina Country vocal and sound are on full display in this incredible show, with a jaw-dropping closeness to the real thing.
The live five-piece band perform all of Luke’s hits and fan favourites from across all of his albums and continues to wow audiences who come for their Country fix.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Live music: The Rezillos
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £27.50
The Rezillos are a punk/new wave band formed in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1976. Their independent debut single, ‘I Can’t Stand My Baby’, initially shot them to underground fame via airplay on BBC Radio 1’s John Peel show.
Their follow-up classic singles, ‘My Baby Does Good Sculptures’, ‘Top of the Pops’ and ‘Destination Venus’ signalled critically acclaimed milestones for the band.
The Rezillos recorded their landmark album ‘Can’t Stand the Rezillos’ in New York’s fabled Power Station studio, immersed themselves in the local music scene and dropped in during downtime to play a gig at CBGB’s, the hub of New York’s punk scene. The album reached the top 10 in the UK album chart and is lauded as a punk classic.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Classical music: Organ 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 organ recital by John Wearmouth (Leighton Buzzard).
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Live music: The Elvina Duo
St Andrews Church, Kimbolton Road @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14 / under 18s Free
The Elvina Duo is comprised of award-winning harpist, Mared Pugh-Evans, named King’s Harpist in 2024, and Katie Sazanova (flute, sax, clarinet), a multi-instrumentalist based in Hertfordshire.
Founded on a love of performing to diverse audiences throughout the community, the duo combines classical training with a modern twist and are known for their engaging programmes, incorporating well-known pieces which surprise and delight audiences.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Live music: Gwenno
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20
Gwenno Saunders is a musician and producer with over 25 years’ experience, releasing two EPs, four solo albums, and two albums with indie-pop group The Pipettes.
She won the Welsh Music Prize (2015) for her debut solo album Y Dydd Olaf and was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize (2022) for Tresor. Her work also includes composing for theatre and film, including new scores for The Caucasian Chalk Circle and the film Bait.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Music: The Lincoln Noel Four
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £18
Back by popular demand, Lincoln Noel returns with his band to The Place Theatre.
The Lincoln Noel Four brings together some of the UK’s best musicians to create an evening filled with joy, passion, and musical excellence.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Live music: Thank You For The Music
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £30
Calling all Dancing Queens, this is your night to say, Thank you for the Music…
This international smash-hit tribute show brings all of ABBA’s number one hits to the stage in a production like no other. The hugely popular show, now in its 20th year, with a brand-new show for 2026, combines the unmistakable harmonies, colourful costumes, and dazzling performances by the all-star cast.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Walking: “Bedford’s Movers and Shakers” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at St Loyes, opposite Bedford Prison
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
You will know of the ‘mugshot’, but did you know it was first introduced into the criminal justice system by Robert Evan Roberts, a reforming governor of Bedford Prison in Victorian times? Join us on this walk and meet Roberts and others who made a difference in Bedford and in the world; an astronomer, a polar explorer, the first woman county councillor and discover how some of the most attractive private dwellings in Bedford came to grace this area of town.
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.
N.B. Please note that this walk starts from St Loyes, opposite Bedford Prison.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Shop local: Bedford Flea, Affordable Art & Local Produce Market
Harpur Square @ 10am – 3pm
Now in its new home on Harpur Square, Bedford Flea is the perfect way to spend a chilled-out Sunday. Browse the antiques and collectables, find some locally made art, and grab a snack, lunch, or treat from local producers.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Family fun: Crafternoon
The Higgins Bedford @ 2pm – 4pm
Free / drop-in, no booking necessary
Local artist, Marisa Stracia, is hosting a free Crafternoon at The Higgins, making kingfisher finger puppets.
Once you’ve made your puppet, visit the Noel Carrington ‘Nothing Need Be Ugly’ exhibition to see how R B Talbot Kelly used paper engineering in their children’s books by Puffin to make 3D animals.
Sunday 10 & Thursday 14 May 2026
NT Live screening: The Audience
The Quarry Theatre @ 2pm (10 May) 7pm (14 May)
Tickets: £15.50
Returning to cinemas for the first time in over a decade, NTLive presents Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in the award-winning hit production, directed by Stephen Daldry.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Live music: Cheap Thrill$ play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
A female-fronted, four-piece classic rock, rhythm & blues band from Bedford, UK, playing Esquires for the first time in 2026.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Wednesday, 6 May 2026
Walking: “Plaques and Plinths” 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)
Have you ever wondered about the stories behind some of the blue plaques that adorn several buildings around the town or wanted to know more about some of the statues and monuments that grace the town centre? This walk will reveal the stories behind the Plaques & Plinths and why such recognition is warranted.
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.
Thursday, 7 May 2026
Local history: Bunyan in Stained Glass
Bunyan Meeting Church @ 7pm
This talk by Jasmine Allen, the director and curator of the Stained Glass Museum in Ely, explores some of the many images of John Bunyan and his literary works in stained glass windows, including portraits of Bunyan and imagery inspired by The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Thursday, 7 May 2026
Live music: Aircooled + Guests
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £5 – £15
Aircooled pulls off the rare trick of making music that thrills ravers as much as it does heads. From warm, enveloping kraut-rock to spiralling, glossy space odysseys and pure-hearted pop, it’s disco music for smart people, party music for retired ravers.
Thursday, 7 May 2026
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, 8 – Saturday, 9 May 2026
Shopping: The Bedford Antiques, Decorative & Art Fair
King’s House, Ampthill Road @ 10am – 4pm
Entry: £3.50
After two hugely successful events last year, the third Bedford Antiques, Decorative & Art Fair is back at King’s House on Friday, 8 and Saturday, 9 May 2026.
Read: The Bedford Antiques, Decorative & Art Fair is back by popular demand
Organised by the enthusiastic father-and-daughter duo Nicola and Rodney Weeks of Gemcap Events, the fair is fast becoming a highlight on the antiques calendar, attracting both seasoned collectors and those simply looking for something beautiful and unique for their home.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Talk: Noel Carrington and his Artists
The Higgins Bedford @ 2pm – 3pm
Tickets £7.75 per person, conc £6.20 | Booking Essential
Join exhibition curator, Joe Pearson, to learn more about the artists Carrington worked with, including Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, Stanley Roy Badmin, Enid Marx, Hilary Stebbing and Suzanne Einzig.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Art & creativity: Bedford Art Society Meeting
Putnoe Heights Church, MK41 8EB @ 7.15pm for 7:30pm start
Barry Herniman will be demonstrating how to sketch with Fude bent nib pens.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Comedy: Alex McAleer
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £16
Alex McAleer possesses the uncanny ability to apparently tap into his audience’s minds and read their thoughts at will – whether it’s at sold-out shows at the Edinburgh Festival or on one of his international award-nominated tours.
Alex combines mind-blowing moments with sharp wit, making it interactive, engaging, and laugh-out-loud funny.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Live music: Fidget and the Twitchers + Akkat Attack + The Allsorts
St Cuthbert’s Hall @ 7pm
Tickets: £10
Fidget and the Twitchers are a hyperactive, anti-fascist, offbeat festival-core skapunk band from Bristol, heading to Bedford this month. Akkat Attak are a Newcastle punk band, playing alongside The Allsorts, a band from the Living It Up performing arts centre made up of adults with learning disabilities.
If you require an essential companion ticket please email events@lovelivingitup.org to request a discount code. You will be able to add this at checkout to make the companion ticket free.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Live music: Luke Combs UK
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £26.50
Get ready to experience the heart and soul of country music, paying homage to one of the genre’s biggest stars. A night of incredible songs, authentic Southern vibes, and a whole lot of boot-stomping fun.
With sold-out shows up and down the UK and Ireland, Luke Combs UK does not disappoint. The image of Luke Combs and, more importantly that North Carolina Country vocal and sound are on full display in this incredible show, with a jaw-dropping closeness to the real thing.
The live five-piece band perform all of Luke’s hits and fan favourites from across all of his albums and continues to wow audiences who come for their Country fix.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Live music: The Rezillos
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £27.50
The Rezillos are a punk/new wave band formed in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1976. Their independent debut single, ‘I Can’t Stand My Baby’, initially shot them to underground fame via airplay on BBC Radio 1’s John Peel show.
Their follow-up classic singles, ‘My Baby Does Good Sculptures’, ‘Top of the Pops’ and ‘Destination Venus’ signalled critically acclaimed milestones for the band.
The Rezillos recorded their landmark album ‘Can’t Stand the Rezillos’ in New York’s fabled Power Station studio, immersed themselves in the local music scene and dropped in during downtime to play a gig at CBGB’s, the hub of New York’s punk scene. The album reached the top 10 in the UK album chart and is lauded as a punk classic.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
On the river: 160th Bedford Regatta
Between County Bridge and the Suspension Bridge @ 8.15am – 7.30pm
The River Great Ouse will once again be front and centre of attention on Saturday, as the Bedford Regatta returns for its 160th edition.
With 1,800 competitors from 48 different clubs racing in a programme of 282 races, the town’s oldest sporting event promises to once again be an action-packed day of sporting activity, with races beginning every two minutes.
For spectators, rowing is simple to follow, with side-by-side racing over a 1,200-metre course. Even for those new to the sport, the combination of fast racing and riverside crowds makes for an engaging experience, so head on down and cheer them on!
The public enclosure is located at the Suspension Bridge and offers one of the best viewing points on the course, along with a range of refreshments, including a licensed bar. Access is available by purchasing a programme.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Classical music: Organ 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 organ recital by John Wearmouth (Leighton Buzzard).
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Live music: The Elvina Duo
St Andrews Church, Kimbolton Road @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14 / under 18s Free
The Elvina Duo is comprised of award-winning harpist, Mared Pugh-Evans, named King’s Harpist in 2024, and Katie Sazanova (flute, sax, clarinet), a multi-instrumentalist based in Hertfordshire.
Founded on a love of performing to diverse audiences throughout the community, the duo combines classical training with a modern twist and are known for their engaging programmes, incorporating well-known pieces which surprise and delight audiences.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Live music: Gwenno
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20
Gwenno Saunders is a musician and producer with over 25 years’ experience, releasing two EPs, four solo albums, and two albums with indie-pop group The Pipettes.
She won the Welsh Music Prize (2015) for her debut solo album Y Dydd Olaf and was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize (2022) for Tresor. Her work also includes composing for theatre and film, including new scores for The Caucasian Chalk Circle and the film Bait.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Music: The Lincoln Noel Four
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £18
Back by popular demand, Lincoln Noel returns with his band to The Place Theatre.
The Lincoln Noel Four brings together some of the UK’s best musicians to create an evening filled with joy, passion, and musical excellence.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Live music: Thank You For The Music
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £30
Calling all Dancing Queens, this is your night to say, Thank you for the Music…
This international smash-hit tribute show brings all of ABBA’s number one hits to the stage in a production like no other. The hugely popular show, now in its 20th year, with a brand-new show for 2026, combines the unmistakable harmonies, colourful costumes, and dazzling performances by the all-star cast.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Walking: “Bedford’s Movers and Shakers” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at St Loyes, opposite Bedford Prison
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
You will know of the ‘mugshot’, but did you know it was first introduced into the criminal justice system by Robert Evan Roberts, a reforming governor of Bedford Prison in Victorian times? Join us on this walk and meet Roberts and others who made a difference in Bedford and in the world; an astronomer, a polar explorer, the first woman county councillor and discover how some of the most attractive private dwellings in Bedford came to grace this area of town.
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.
N.B. Please note that this walk starts from St Loyes, opposite Bedford Prison.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Shop local: Bedford Flea, Affordable Art & Local Produce Market
Harpur Square @ 10am – 3pm
Now in its new home on Harpur Square, Bedford Flea is the perfect way to spend a chilled-out Sunday. Browse the antiques and collectables, find some locally made art, and grab a snack, lunch, or treat from local producers.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Family fun: Crafternoon
The Higgins Bedford @ 2pm – 4pm
Free / drop-in, no booking necessary
Local artist, Marisa Stracia, is hosting a free Crafternoon at The Higgins, making kingfisher finger puppets.
Once you’ve made your puppet, visit the Noel Carrington ‘Nothing Need Be Ugly’ exhibition to see how R B Talbot Kelly used paper engineering in their children’s books by Puffin to make 3D animals.
Sunday 10 & Thursday 14 May 2026
NT Live screening: The Audience
The Quarry Theatre @ 2pm (10 May) 7pm (14 May)
Tickets: £15.50
Returning to cinemas for the first time in over a decade, NTLive presents Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in the award-winning hit production, directed by Stephen Daldry.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Live music: Cheap Thrill$ play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
A female-fronted, four-piece classic rock, rhythm & blues band from Bedford, UK, playing Esquires for the first time in 2026.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Live music: The Hoosiers
Bedford Esquires @ 7pm
Tickets: £20
Esquires and the best record shop in the land (that’s Slide Record Shop to you) have teamed up to bring a very special ‘out store’ show with The Hoosiers – their first ever time at the venue.
Known for hits like “Worried About Ray” and “Goodbye Mr A,” their debut album The Trick to Life (2007) reached No.1 in the UK, blending quirky lyrics with catchy melodies.
This show is not to be missed.
Monday, 11 May 2026
Mindfulness: Bedford Embankment Group Walk
Meet outside the Bedford Swan Hotel @ 6pm
Free
Join Rachel for a mindful walk based on the teachings of mindfulness and meditation.
The group will start with an introduction and a well-being 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. More info at RachelsDopamineDiary on Instagram or Bedford Mindful Walks on Facebook.
Tuesday, 12 May – Saturday, 16 May 2026
Musical theatre: My Fair Lady
Sharnbrook Mill Theatre, MK44 1NP @ 7.30pm / Saturday matinee at 2.30pm
Tickets: £25 / £20
Join Eliza Doolittle on her enchanting journey from streetwise flower seller to refined lady under the guidance of the stubborn Professor Higgins.
With timeless hits like “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” this beloved production is a dazzling celebration of transformation, love, and the power of language.
Tuesday, 12 May 2026
Gardens: Kathy Brown’s Garden
The Manor House, Church Road, Stevington MK43 7QB @ 10.30am – 1pm / 2pm – 4.30pm
Tickets: £11 / £5.50 | Booking required
Enjoy a relaxed guided walk around the beautiful gardens of the Manor House in Stevington, created by Kathy Brown and her husband Simon over the last 30 years.
You can choose either a morning or afternoon slot, but numbers are limited to ensure the best visitor experience – and that there is enough home-made cake to go round!
Tuesday, 12 May 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 piano recital by Sadra Mahshidfar. Free with retiring collection.
Tuesday, 12 May 2026
Community: Communi-tea Party
Anjulita Court care home, Brickhill, MK41 7GD @ 2pm – 3.30pm
Free to attend
The team at Anjulita Court are putting the kettle on for their very first Communi-tea Party. Join them for a fun afternoon filled with tea, delicious cakes, music, dancing, and even a fun quiz.
Entry is free, and everyone’s invited.
Tuesday, 12 May 2026
Community: Pull Up a Chair
The Bluebell Pub, Putnoe Lane @ 7pm
Free
Flying solo? New to the area or just fancy a chat? Then pull up a chair at table 10 at the Bluebell pub for good company, great conversation. New landlady, Anne will be at table 10 for the next few Tuesdays to get the ball rolling and then it will be a weekly event.
Wednesday, 13 May 2026
Live music: Kaia Kater + Minnie Birch
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £13.50
One for the music purists, this show is unmissable; check out her Tiny Desk Concert and then buy yourself a ticket immediately!
“…plaintive, mesmerising…writes and performs with the skill of a folk-circuit veteran…” said Rolling Stone, and “where bluegrass meets Nina Simone,” said The Guardian
A Montreal-born Grenadian-Canadian, Kaia Kater grew up between two worlds: one her family’s deep ties to folk music; the other the years she spent soaking up Appalachian music in West Virginia.
Her old-time banjo-picking skills, deft arrangements, and song-writing abilities have landed her in the spotlight in North America and the UK, garnering critical acclaim from outlets such as NPR, CBC Radio, Rolling Stone, BBC Music, and No Depression.
“You want some authenticity in your folk music or bluegrass – I give you Kaia Kater.”
Thursday, 14 May 2026
Film: The Choral
Stevington Cinema Club Stevington Village Hall, MK43 7QT@ 6.45pm
Tickets: £6
An uncompromising new choirmaster (Ralph Fiennes) sets an ambitious task for a Yorkshire town’s choral society after a number of its members leave for the battlefields of the First World War.
Thursday, 14 May 2026
The John Bunyan Community Boat: Jazz Music Cruise
From The Kingfisher, Cardington Road, MK44 3SA @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £36
A two-hour cruise from the new departure point, The Kingfisher on Cardington Road.
Entertainment is provided by the Gary Wood Trio. Get 10% off your pre-cruise meal at the Kingfisher when you book the cruise and get £2 off every ticket by entering SPRING26 at the checkout.
Friday, 15 May 2026
Creative community: Creatives Breakfast
The Higgins Bedford @ 9.15am – 11am
£13 including breakfast
Want to connect with other creative professionals in Bedfordshire?
Join this low-key breakfast social for creative professionals in Bedfordshire, for everyone from architects and designers to producers, photographers, musicians, and illustrators. Whatever your profession: freelance, in-house or anything in-between – come and connect.
Organiser Carly Cook has been running events for two decades and produced the UK’s largest free festival for the creative industries. Not surface-level networking, but genuine conversation with people who understand what it takes to turn creativity into income and impact. Visit carlycookcreative.com/events to find out more and to book.
Friday, 15 May 2026
Comedy: Marcel Lecont’s Whine List
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £18
The multi-award-deserving deadpan Frenchman serves up a unique Whine List of the audience’s past gripes, moans and misdemeanours, while also dishing out some of his premier erotic poetry.
The show has played to packed audiences all around the world. Expect louche musings, dry wit and Gallic superiority.
Friday, 15 May 2026
Live music: John Bramwell (I Am Kloot)
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £25
As the singer in I Am Kloot from 1999 to 2014, John Bramwell achieved a Mercury Prize nomination for 2010’s The Sky At Night, a Top 10 chart position for 2013’s Let It All In, numerous UK and European tours and a triumphant farewell at the Queen Elizabeth Hall with an orchestra in 2014.
Now, as a solo artist, he’s travelling a very different path and his stunning new album The Light Fantastic is quite a change from his Kloot days.
Darker clouds have been banished, there are strings and four-part harmonies (a warming development, since Kloot never had any backing vocals) and a dozen gloriously exhilarating, beautifully crafted and observed songs about life, humanity, the universe and everything.
As John puts it, “It’s been great to find the joy of making music once again. These are the most uplifting songs of my career.”
Friday, 15 May 2026
Live music: The Floyd Effect – The Pink Floyd Show
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £30
The Floyd Effect has spent almost two decades perfecting their craft, earning a reputation for their meticulous recreations of Pink Floyd’s sound and stage presence.
The band ensures every heartbeat, cash register, and soaring guitar solo is faithfully reproduced. Previous tours have sold out venues across the UK and Europe, and this new show is expected to be their most ambitious yet.
Pink Floyd’s greatest music performed by musicians who love it as much as you do.
Saturday, 16 May 2026
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Morning walk meeting place: Ashmead Road Car Park, Bedford, MK41 7GA @ 7.50am
Just one walk this weekend – a 6.5 miler to see the beautiful bluebells in Clapham Woods.
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, 16 May 2026
VR: Airships XR Pop-up Experience
The Higgins Bedford @ 11am-4pm
Free / booking essential
Discover Bedford’s airship and aviation heritage through cutting-edge storytelling and technology, exploring 3D airship worlds in immersive VR, including virtual museum galleries and historically accurate recreations of the R101 airship’s engine cab.
This immersive experience uses Extended Reality (XR) technologies to gather artefacts, archives and stories into one location and reimagines Bedford’s global flight ambitions.
This is a free event but we recommend that you book a slot (approx. 20 mins) for the best experience.
Saturday, 16 May 2026
Music: Spring in Song
The Quarry Theatre @ 2pm
Tickets: £17.50
A charity event in aid of the Tibbs Dementia Foundation. An afternoon of nostalgia, of entertainment with a main course of song, a dollop of humour and a hint of Spring.
Saturday, 16 May 2026
Live music: Punky Reggae Party presents Karl Phillips & the Rejects + Face Up! + Easydread + The Tics
Bedford Esquires @ 6.30pm
Tickets: £12
The second Punky Reggae Party at Esquires features sets from Karl Phillips & the Rejects, Face Up!, Easydread and The Tics.
Saturday, 16 May 2026
Live music: Luther Live and Velvet Voices
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £26.50
Step into a world of soul, romance, and unforgettable grooves with Luther Live & Velvet Voices – the ultimate live theatre experience celebrating the golden era of R’n’B. This electrifying show brings the smooth sounds of Luther Vandross, Alexander O’Neal and many others to life, with powerhouse vocals, a sensational live band, and all the emotion you’d expect from the voices that defined a generation.
Luther Live & Velvet Voices pay tribute to a roll call of R’n’B royalty, including Marvin Gaye, Bobby Brown, and George Benson – delivering hit after hit from the 80s and 90s that’ll have audiences dancing in the aisles and singing every word.
Expect to hear ‘Never Too Much’, ‘Shine’, ‘Give Me The Reason’, ‘Dance With My Father’, ‘Criticize’, ‘Saturday Love’, ‘If You Were Here Tonight’, ‘Sexual Healing’, ‘Give Me The Night’ and many more.
Saturday, 16 May 2026
Live music: The Moonlandingz + Baby Berserk.
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £5 – £20
The Moonlandingz are a semi-fictional, genre-hopping collective of psychedelic, dub, Krautrock, circuit-bent electronics and pop-noir misfits and a seriously entertaining live proposition.
Formed in 2015 by Adrian Flanagan (Eccentronic Research Council / Acid Klaus), producer and synthesist Dean Honer (The All Seeing I / I Monster) and magnetic frontman and lyricist Lias Saoudi (Fat White Family / Decius), the group has since evolved into one of Britain’s most thrillingly unpredictable sonic experiments.
Across their output, they’ve collaborated with Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Maxine Peake, Philip Oakey (The Human League) and Rebecca Lucy Taylor (Self Esteem) with their latest album ‘No Rocket Required’ featuring appearances from Iggy Pop, Nadine Shah and Jessica Winter.
Sunday, 17 May 2026
Walking: “I Never Knew That” 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)
“I Never Knew That”
The most commonly heard phrase after the completion of a Guided Walk. This walk encompasses all that information about Bedford and its many features that YOU never knew!
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, 17 May 2026
Dance: Spinup Youth dance Platform
The Place Theatre @ 2pm
Tickets: from £8
Silver Faces Dance Collective CIC presents their first annual platform for the young dancers of Bedford.
With the aim of celebrating the Bedfordshire dance community, this production brings together several groups across the county to share their favourite dance pieces and showcase young talent in our area.
Sunday, 17 May 2026
Live music: The Dirty Rhodes Band Play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Two sets of jazz, soul and Motown covers from the mighty Dirty Rhodes Band.
Sunday, 17 May 2026
Live music: Mozart Estate + The Grubby Mitts
Bedford Esquires @ 7pm
Tickets: £5 – £20
Mozart Estate is the current project of one of England’s most singular musical mavericks, Lawrence, previously of the hugely influential bands Felt, Denim and Go-Kart Mozart and the subject of both a movie (‘Lawrence of Belgravia’) and an acclaimed biography (‘Street Level Superstar: A Year with Lawrence’ by Will Hodgkinson).
Read: Pop’s outsiders: Mozart Estate and Grubby Mitts set for Bedford Esquires show
With Mozart Estate fresh from supporting Primal Scream, a renewed interest in his singular output and an impeccable live show, perhaps it could finally be his moment, and Esquires will provide a chance to witness the ‘street level superstar’ deliver his masterly crafted songs, and experience Lawrence’s wry commentary on what it is to live and create today.
Supporting this singular figure will be The Grubby Mitts, the town’s own art-pop outsiders, fronted by acclaimed artist Andy Holden.
This upcoming show marks their first performance in the town since the release of their album Love in the Misanthropocene, and follows a notable headline at London’s ICA — a sign of their growing reach beyond their local roots.
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 20th-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
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 20th-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
his 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.
