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.

Planning on coming to the River Festival this weekend? Here’s how you can get there

With hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to attend the Bedford River Festival this weekend (20 and 21 July), everyone is encouraged to plan their trip in advance...

“It’s a vital story to tell” – CODE to highlight issues of County Lines and youth knife crime in Bedford River Festival performance

CODE, created by the 'Justice in Motion' theatre company, are set to perform at the Bedford River Festival, on Saturday, 20 and Sunday, 21 July, between 12pm to 3pm, in Harpur Square...

Everything you need to know about Bedford River Festival 2024

There’s a packed schedule this summer in Bedford, from Bedfringe to the River Festival, the Italian festival to Eid celebrations, not to mention the Summer Sessions, the annual star-studded concerts in...

River Festival organiser Bjorn says he’s thinking about it “24 hours a day”

While it may only happen every two years for the average Bedfordian, for the people who pull together the Bedford River Festival it's something they work on daily, from just a few weeks after the...

Sporting communities encouraged to get involved in Bedford River Festival 2024

Anticipation is building ahead of this summer’s Bedford River Festival and there are lots of ways in which Bedford’s sporting communities can get involved. This year’s festival takes place on 20 and 21 of July...

Claims Bedford Mayor’s “heart isn’t in” River Festival after failing to attend scrutiny meeting

The Bedford mayor’s failure to attend a committee meeting shows his “heart isn’t in” the River Festival, a senior Lib Dem councillor has claimed. The Environment and...

River Festival u-turn leaves unanswered questions despite Mayor’s promise “I am transparent”

Councillors from across Bedford Borough say they're still not sure how, or why, Mayor Tom Wootton (Conservative) made an announcement that he was scaling back the Bedford River...

Breaking news: Controversial River Festival changes to be scrapped

Mayor Tom Wotton has said proposed river festival changes revealed in the Bedford Independent on Friday (18 August), which received almost universal criticism, will now not go ahead after he...

Exclusive: Bedford River Festival to be replaced with annual family festival

The Bedford Independent has learned of plans to replace the Bedford River Festival with an annual summer 'family festival' that organisers say will "celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures, businesses...

Local hero saves girl from drowning at Bedford River Festival

A father of three was branded a ‘hero’ after saving a little girl from drowning at Bedford River festival on Saturday 22 July. People were screaming but John dived in fully clothed...

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