Get ready to crank up the colour and turn up the energy as we get ready to celebrate Bedford’s LGBTQ+ community at Pride this Saturday (5 September).
Organised by Rainbow Bedfordshire and The Barley Mow, and sponsored by The Harpur Trust and The University of Bedfordshire, this year’s event brings a packed lineup of entertainment, connection, and grassroots activism to the town centre.
“Bedford Pride 2026 will be a time for the LGBTQ+ community to be visible, show our resilience, reflect on our past, and celebrate together,” said Mack & Pat, the founders of Rainbow Bedfordshire.
If you want to get in on the action, here’s a run-down of what’s on, where and when…
The Harpur Suite will be home to stalls featuring local artists and community organisations, while on stage there will be live music, comedy, poetry and speeches – all with BSL interpretation.
From 6pm, the creative collective, Nebula, will take over, bringing performance art, film and a live set from the band Boxship.
Throughout the afternoon, Bedford Central Library will host creative workshops, so head over there to make a zine, create your own placard or play a board game. Activities run from 1pm – 5pm.
In Harpur Square, The Barley Mow pub is sponsoring the outdoor stage, hosted all day by Drag Queen Britney Dallas, who will be announcing performances throughout the day.
But the party doesn’t stop in Harpur Square.
Revellers can keep the Pride celebrations rolling right across town, with The Bear and The Standard hosting events.
Get on the Pride Trail
Local organisation Not Everything Sucks CIC has organised several Bedford businesses to dress up their storefronts for the Pride Window Competition.
Participating shop windows will be decorated and on display until Sunday, 6 September, and there will be a grand prize for the best-dressed window, as agreed by the independent judges.
Organiser and founder of Not Everything Sucks CIC, Rachel Hegarty, told the Bedford Clanger: “Bedford’s first Pride feels really special and the window trail is a brilliant way to bring that celebration into the town centre.
“Not Everything Sucks and Rainbow Bedfordshire share the same values around community and inclusion, so being able to bring that to the new CIC through the competition feels really important to me.”
Rachel said that, at a time when the LGBTQ+ community can feel unsafe on their own streets, “seeing Bedford’s businesses come together to show their Pride means a lot.
“I hope these bright windows bring a bit of joy and make people feel seen and welcome.”
Join the celebration
Whether you’re stopping by for the music, getting creative in a workshop, or following the window trail with friends, there’s a place for everyone at this year’s events.
Come down, bring your friends and family, and help bring the celebration to the streets of Bedford.
For real-time updates, performance schedules, and behind-the-scenes previews, make sure to follow the organisers on social media @bedford.pride @rainbowbedfordshire @nebula.beds @barleymowbeds
