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.
As part of the festivities, Bedfordian Suzanne Tanser is hoping to create the town’s ‘Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever’ in Harpur Square at midday on Saturday, 18 July.
The aim is to bring together as many people as possible dressed in red to take part in a synchronised dance to Kate Bush’s 1978 hit.
“A lot of people have started asking me why I’m doing this,” said Suzanne.
“It’s a fair question; after all, persuading people to put on red dresses and dance like Kate Bush in the middle of Bedford isn’t necessarily the most obvious way to spend your spare time.”
Suzanne says her inspiration came several years ago when she heard about similar events taking place across the UK.
“I was intrigued, so last year, my son Ethan and I drove down to Folkestone to take part in their Wuthering Heights Day.
“If you’ve never heard of one before, imagine a large gathering of people dressed in red, dancing to Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights and generally embracing the sort of glorious British eccentricity that makes absolutely no sense at all until you’re there.
“At one point, I remember looking around at hundreds of people in red dresses. Men, women, kids, and dogs all standing in the rain waiting to dance and thinking, “This is completely ridiculous.”
“And then the music started.”
She said that within minutes, everyone was smiling, laughing and dancing together.
“Nobody cared how old you were, whether you knew the moves properly or whether you’d arrived on your own.
“Strangers were chatting to each other as though they’d known each other for years, and there was something really special about it.”
Driving home from Folkestone, Suzanne and Ethan talked about how amazing it would be to create their own Wuthering Heights Day in Bedford.
And although it was a throwaway conversation, they said the idea refused to go away.
A global movement
The annual Wuthering Day events began in 2016 and now take place in hundreds of towns and cities across the world.
Over the last few months, while planning Bedford’s event, Suzanne says she’s spoken to organisers of Wuthering Days all over the country and they’ve all been generous with their advice and encouragement.
“What has made me smile is that many of them remind me of Kate Bush herself,” said Suzanne.
“They’re passionate, creative, determined women who care deeply about bringing people together and creating something joyful.
“And perhaps that’s why these events work.
“Because underneath all the red dresses, flower crowns and dramatic arm waving, they’re really about community, and I think we need that now more than ever.
“Nobody cares what job you do, how old you are, if you can dance, how you identify and yes, even if it’s chucking it down. For a few minutes, everybody is simply there to have fun. No hidden agenda; just joy.”
Honestly, what’s not to love?
Suzanne said she was “incredibly grateful” to the organising team at the River Festival for welcoming the Wuthering Day into the programme.
“The festival has always been about bringing people together, and Bedford’s Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever feels like a perfect fit for that spirit of community and celebration.
“Let’s be honest, the idea of hundreds of people dressed in red dancing like Kate Bush in the middle of Bedford is delightfully ridiculous.
“That’s exactly why I think people will love it,” said Suzanne.
“See you there – 12 noon, St Paul’s Square on Saturday, 18 July. I’ll be the one in the red dress.”
For more information, please contact Suzanne on Bedfordwuthering@gmail.com or search Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever Bedford on Facebook and Instagram.
