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 Bedford Park.
This year’s ever-popular River Festival takes place on the weekend of 20 – 21 July on, in and around the banks of the River Great Ouse. With some events due to start at 11am.
This free community event attracts over a quarter of a million visitors and there really is something for everyone. You can find the full programme online at riverfestival.bedford.gov.uk, but here’s our at-a-glance guide to whet your appetite…
It’s free
Bedford River Festival is completely free to enjoy. You can take your own food and drink (remember to take your rubbish home with you) or you can buy something to eat while you’re there.
Read: Call for volunteers to join Bedford River Festival clean-up crew
On the river
The soul of the River Festival is the huge range of entertainment and activities that bring the River Great Ouse to life.
The Grand Parade of Cabin Cruisers and Grand Parade of Narrowboats take place Saturday and Sunday and the Saturday night finale will be the fantastic illuminated boat parade.
The jaw-dropping Jet Boots Bob will be performing too. Saturday sees the dragon boat races and on Sunday it’s time for the raft races.
Russell Park
If having a dance and soaking up the festival atmosphere appeals to you, then Russell Park is the place to be.
Russell Park is home to the River Festival’s Main Stage, sponsored by the Harpur Centre and programmed by the team from Pad Presents.
They’ve told us there is loads of “great stuff on” as they take over the stage from 1pm each day. They’ve created a line-up full of excellent local artists and international touring/festival bands, which includes Henge, RSVP Bhangra, Beatles Dub Club, Brass Funkeys and many more.
You will also find a large picnic area, a crazy golf course, giant inflatable slides and traditional fairground rides.
St Mary’s Gardens: Family Island and Adventure Village
On St Mary’s Gardens, Family Island boasts a packed programme of children’s workshops from dance, storytelling, sensory activities, arts, and crafts, fun science, interactive shows and a petting zoo.
Aimed at tots to teenagers, the workshops are free to attend, so arrive early to secure a place.
The SEND Family section features ‘Inclusive Island’ and will host a shaded area with sensory equipment as well as a dedicated bouncy castle for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).
There will also be a mobile changing places toilet available at the site and it is close to plenty of disabled parking.
The ever-popular Canoe Trail will be at Adventure Village putting on an array of exciting outdoor adventurous activities. This will include bushcraft demonstrations, axe throwing and a climbing wall, amongst other things.
Mill Meadows
Mill Meadows will host an Arts and Culture Hub and the Community Stage, thanks to the Bedford Cultural Partnership.
Try out the Philharmonia’s VR headset experience, be inspired by poetry and visual art from The River Project, sit and be entertained in artist-designed seating structures with Bedford Creative Arts and watch storytelling and dance.
Sketch riverside scenes with the Bedford Urban Sketchers and experience games, crafts and family activities with medieval themes with Heritage Bedford.
Enjoy the music from the Community Stage in this area too, featuring some excellent local bands from solo singers to folk and alternative to Jazz and Bhangra.
Water Sports Arena
The Water Sports Arena, run by Canoe Trail, is right next to the Sports Island and the Butterfly Bridge.
Here you can see daring canoe ramp demonstrations and take part in fun water-based activities such as zorbing, stand-up paddleboarding (races and taster sessions), cardboard box racing, duckie raft race and much more.
Green Earth Village at Castle Mound
The Green Earth Village will be an eclectic mix of wellbeing, nature, performance, vegan products, food and arts, all on and around Castle Mound between the Higgins Bedford and the Embankment. Produced by the Green Earth Café team, come and visit the Eco Forrest and bring the children to the talks and workshops in the Green Earth Kids area.
Town bridge
The town bridge will also offer a musical treat for those of us enjoying the River Festival.
Across the weekend, various Brass, Ukelele, and visiting town bands will entertain from 11am to 8pm on Saturday and 11am to 5:30pm on Sunday.
Bedford town centre
Bedford High Street will once again host the Festival of Motoring, showcasing vehicles of all ages and types on St Paul’s Square, Riverside Square and Harpur Square too. New for 2024 will be a physical theatre production of Code in Harpur Square at 12pm and 3pm both days.
Town Bridge will host traditional bands performing in the ‘Bands on the Bridge’ area so pull up a chair and relax to some rousing classical tunes performed by some of the best bands in Bedfordshire.
Everard Meadow
In a change to what has been promoted The Bedford River Festival will now have an Inflatable Family Zone on Everard Meadow off Longhlome Way. This will be a relaxed area for families to attend away from the excitement around the river.
How to 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.
The help, Bedford Borough Council has listed all the details for getting to and from the events around the River Great Ouse in Bedford whether you’re driving, using the bus, cycling or walking.
Read: Planning on coming to the River Festival this weekend? Here’s how you can get there
For more information and to download the full programme head to the Borough Council’s website.
