Bedford River Festival

Everything you need to know about the Bedford River Festival and its events in along the River Great Ouse in Bedford.

When is the Bedford River Festival?

The Bedford River Festival is usually in July but dates are subject to change each year.

One of the country’s largest events, The Bedford River Festival normally happens every two years, with music, entertainment, arts & crafts & fun for all the family along Bedford’s embankment. It is the second largest free two-day event in the UK after Nottinghill Carnival and attracts c 30,000 people.

Gallery: Bedford River Festival 2026

What a fantastic weekend celebrating everything brilliant about Bedford at this year's Bedford River Festival. From local charities to local bands, we were entertained and inspired across...

WATCH: The River Festival is “a Bedford event,” says the Bedfordian who pulls it all together

The Bedford River Festival returns this weekend (18 and 19 July). While council staff manage the infrastructure, local independent businesses and community groups are running the main events...

Leave the car behind: Plan your perfect Bedford River Festival weekend with our complete travel guide

The Bedford River Festival returns this weekend, bringing two days of spectacular river events and live entertainment. Here is our complete travel guide to make sure your journey runs smoothly...

Bedford Radio returns to FM for major summer festivals

Bedfordians can tune into local festival coverage on the FM dial this July as Bedford Radio secures a temporary broadcasting licence for the town's biggest summer events...

Channel your inner Kate Bush and join in Bedford’s ‘Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever’

The 2026 River Festival is fast approaching, and this year, there is something completely new to get involved in, especially if you are a Kate Bush fan. Bedfordian Suzanne Cottle...

Everything you need to know as Bedford River Festival returns next month

Bedford River Festival returns on 18 and 19 July with dragon boats, raft races, live music, classic cars, watersports and family entertainment. Thousands of people are expected to descend on...

Bedford River Festival 2026 invites traders, caterers and charities to apply for pitches

Traders, caterers and charities are being invited to apply for pitches at Bedford River Festival 2026, following a record 300,000 visitors at this year’s free two-day event. Applications are now open...

“Best River Festival yet,” says the man who made it happen

Bjorn Hove, the man who leads on making sure the Bedford River Festival happens, has said this year could be the "best yet", with figures showing around 300,000 people attended the event...

‘Illegal River Festival cabs’ warning from Bedford taxi drivers

Bedford’s taxi drivers are disappointed that they weren’t included in Bedford Borough Council’s river festival travel options, saying it's created a "haven for private hire...

Local radio station “slapped in the face” after River Festival broadcast confusion

Bedford Radio said it has been “slapped in the face” by a lack of support from the Borough Council to cover this weekend’s River Festival. But the council said its long-standing policy...

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