Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford Clanger what’s on guide lands every Wednesday and is the only guide you need to find out what’s on and what’s happening across the Borough for the next 11 days.
The Bedford Clanger’s What’s On Guide is kindly sponsored by Bedford Esquires.
Wednesday, 10 December 2025
RBO screening: The Nutcracker
Stevington Cinema Club Stevington Village Hall, MK43 7QT@ 6.30pm
Tickets: £16
This classical festive ballet combines the thrill of the fairy tale with spectacular dancing. It is the perfect Christmas treat for all the family.
Wednesday, 10 December – Tuesday, 23 December 2025
Theatre: Robin Hood
The Place Theatre @ 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Tickets: from £16
Join utter legends Robin, Marian and the Merry Men in Sherwood Forest for a hilariously adventurous take on the timeless tales of everyone’s favourite archer.
Pernicious Prince John and the shifty Sheriff of Nottingham have hatched a plan to put a stop to Robin Hood’s charitable crime spree once and for all. Can they outwit the outlaw? Or will Robin hit the target once again?
Find out in the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons’ innovative take on the myth featuring live music and audience interaction.
Prepare to have your blocks busted, your rips roared and your swashes well-and-truly buckled!
Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Choral music: Christmas with Continuum – world class voices: local roots
St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £25
Former Bedford School Chapel Choir member, Harry Guthrie, founded Continuum in 2018, bringing together a group of outstanding young singers who first met as choral scholars at Cambridge University.
This year’s Christmas With Continuum concert programme includes festive favourites such as In dulci jubilo, Gaudete, The Holly and the Ivy, and In the Bleak Midwinter, alongside seasonal classics by Benjamin Britten, Vaughan Williams, Herbert Howells and Eric Whitacre.
Tickets available on Eventbrite here.
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Reminiscence Session: Ukrainian Christmas Folk Traditions
The Higgins Bedford @ 11am – 12.30pm
Free, drop in
Explore the Higgins’ Ukrainian Folk and Heritage exhibition and learn about Christmas traditions, along with sharing some festive treats.
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Brass music: Bands of Bedford Brass Christmas Charity Concert
Kempston East Methodist Church @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £8 / children free
Celebrate the festive season with Bands of Bedford Brass at their annual Christmas Charity Concert. This special event promises a joyful evening filled with Christmas music, perfect for all ages. The concert is supporting the Sue Ryder Charity.
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Theatre: A Christmas Carol
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £14.50
Following a sell-out performance in 2023, the award-winning Dyad Productions are bringing Dickens’ classic and perennially relevant ghost story back to the Quarry Theatre.
It’s Christmas Eve, and the miserly misanthrope, Ebenezer Scrooge, is about to have a ghostly night he’ll never forget.Dickens’ festive, immortal tale of redemption and compassion is brought to life in Dyad’s inimitable solo style.
Draw near for an evening of mistletoe and merriment in the company of Marley, Fezziwig, and Cratchit et al to discover the true meaning of Christmas: tenderness for the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future.
Ebenezer lives in us all, and this glorious tale reminds us how not to give in to the Scrooge within.
Friday, 12 December 2025
Theatre : James Phelan – The Man Who Was Magic
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £20
Dare to believe in magic as the UK’s #1 magic show returns with a completely new and uplifting production for 2025.
You’re invited to a night of wonder, as secrets unravel and the impossible becomes possible.
Following an unprecedented 5 years of sold-out shows around the world – this five star magic show guarantees to leave you aching with laughter & dizzy in disbelief.
Presented by world-renowned award-winning magician James Phelan, the first magician in history to sell out a solo-run at The Magic Circle – and most infamous for jamming the BBC switchboard after he correctly predicted the lottery.
Friday, 12 December 2025
Live music: An evening with Toby Lee & Isabella Coulstock
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm
Tickets: £18
It’s lovely when an artist likes Esquires as much as Esquires likes them! Just fresh out the door from his headline, full band show, guitar maestro, Toby Lee returns to Esquires with his partner in crime, Isabella Coulstock, for an evening of stripped back songs and stories.
Saturday, 13 December 2025
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Bedford Priory Park, MK41 9DJ @ 1.30pm
A 5.5-mile festive walk from Priory Country Park along Bedford Embankment.
Please bring a drink, snack or lunch as the group always stops for a break. Check out the North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ excellent website for further information.
Saturday, 13 December 2025
Screening: The Snowman
The Quarry Theatre @ 12.15pm & 1.30pm
Tickets: from £6
A young boy can’t believe his eyes one winter’s night when a snowman comes to life, and an unforgettable adventure begins…
Enjoy a special screening of the timeless classic animated film, The Snowman, featuring a live performance of Howard Blake’s musical score, specially adapted for brass band and performed for you by the Hitchin Band together with a pianist and young solo singer.
Since 2017 Hitchin Band has performed the Snowman to over 7,000 people. For many it has become a must see family tradition marking the start of Christmas.
Saturday, 13 December 2025
Festive music: Bedford Choral Society’s Family Christmas Concert
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 3pm
Tickets: £10
A Christmas concert for all the family, featuring a selection of traditional Christmas carols and well-loved Christmas music, new and old.
Saturday, 13 December 2025
Live music: The Devout (Depeche Mode Tribute)
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15
Selling out venues up and down the UK, The Devout (Depeche Mode Tribute) return to Bedford, bringing the Depeche Mode experience to another level visually, aurally and musically.
The Devout’s show transports the audience back to a Depeche Mode concert, at their peak with authentic reproductions of the songs together with astounding visuals, that take the audience back to those great innovative tours.
Expect to hear a selection of classic tracks right across the full back catalogue from Speak & Spell in the early days through to the last Mode classics with fan favourites, singles and deep album cuts.
The Devout are known to play sets for over 2.5 hours, and an early arrival is essential for this show.
Saturday, 13 December 2025
Live music: The 113 + Bandit + Noseghost
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
The 113’s sound is visceral, spitting emotionally charged melodies that hit hard yet move bodies. Though firmly rooted in punk traditions, the band draws inspiration from hip‑hop’s lyrical approach, blending raw storytelling with driving force.
Known for their energetic live shows, they have attracted interest from notable national and international festivals and notched up several impressive support slots with acts including Egyptian Blue, CHALK and Temples.
Sunday, 14 December 2025
Festive fun: St Cuthbert’s Street Christmas Fair
St Cuthbert’s Street @ 11am – 4pm
Free
This Sunday, the businesses of St Cuthbert Street are once again putting up the road blocks, closing the street to traffic and showcasing the thriving indie scene in the heart of Bedford, all in time for Christmas. As well as the St Cuthbert’s Street businesses, they’re welcoming neighbouring retailers, including épanoui and The Arc, into the festive fold too.
“Expect traditional Christmas vibes with an indie business twist,” said organiser, Rosanna Heasman of The Store.
Alongside the Christmas shopping, they will be serving up hot drinks, DJs, live music, Christmas street food and festive fun for all the family. A great way to get into the festive spirit while supporting our fabulous town centre businesses.
Sunday, 14 December 2025
Festive fun: Bedford Santa Run 2025
The Embankment @ 11am
£10/adult (includes Santa suit) / £5/child (includes festive headband) / £30/family (2 x adult 3 x children)
Get that festive feeling by joining hundreds of Santas running around the
Embankment in Bedford – all in aid of Keech Hospice. Come and join in the fun and help Keech continue to provide specialist care for their patients and their families.
Sunday, 14 December 2025
Festive family fun: Sunday Crafternoon
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane @ 2pm – 4pm
Join local artists for these creative activity sessions for families to have a go at making together. All resources are provided. Suitable for under 12s.
Sunday, 14 December 2025
Music: Five Star Swing at Christmas
The Quarry Theatre @ 2.30pm
Tickets: £18.50
Swing into Christmas – with the unique Five Star Swing Band show – As featured at London’s Leicester Square Theatre and BBC “Children in Need”.
Enjoy all your favourite Christmas songs with the dynamic swing band treatment from Glenn Miller, Sinatra, Basie, Nat King Cole – jazzing up those Jingle Bells!
Sunday, 14 December 2025
Live music: The X-Certs play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
This Herts-based covers band plays new-wave, power-pop and classic rock from the 60s, 70s and 80s. They play the music they love, and it shows.
Monday, 15 December – Sunday, 21 December 2025
Theatre: A Christmas Carol
The Place Theatre @ 2.30 &7.30pm
Tickets: from £16
The critically acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company presents a brand-new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ fantastical festive fable.
It’s Christmas Eve, and tight-fisted Ebenezer Scrooge is meaner than ever. He is shunning his only living relative, underpaying his clerk and refusing to acknowledge the plight of the poor… but will timely visits from the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future change his miserly ways before it’s too late?
Performed by a multi-talented cast in The Pantaloons’ own inimitable, hilarious and moving style this show features live music, audience interaction and absolutely no humbug!*
*There may be some humbug.
Tuesday, 16 December 2025
Music: 6 o’clock Record Club
The Castle, Newnham Street @ from 6pm
Free entry
Join Pete Burridge on Tuesday for the 6 o’clock Record Club. Bring along your favourite songs to be played on the night, or just come and listen to some great tunes.
Thursday, 18 December 2025
Comedy: Castle Comedy Christmas Special 2025
The Quarry Theatre @ 8pm
Tickets: £16
Bob Mills is a bona fide comedy legend with over 30 years at the top of the UK circuit. You will recognise him from his cult classic 90’s TV show ‘In Bed with Me Dinner’ and his presenting of ‘Win, Lose or Draw’ on ITV. He is a regular on radio and says his biggest achievement is being crowned BBC 5Live’s ‘Fighting Talk’ champion of champions.
Jonny Awsum is a comedic whirlwind, a gag-slinging guitar hero sure to get you singing along. He was a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent and is now a favourite at the biggest UK festivals, including Glastonbury. As ever, your host is Paul Revill, who will be holding it all down and almost certainly giving out some mince pies.
Friday, 19 and Saturday, 20 December 2025
Comedy: The Fawlty Towers dining experience
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £55 (includes three-course meal and two-hour interactive performance)
Officially the world’s most sought-after tribute to the BBC sitcom, this one-of-a-kind original has made its international mark as an ‘outrageously funny’ night out (Broadway Baby, Edinburgh Fringe).
Basil, Sybil and Manuel are gearing up to bring a healthy dose of mayhem to your door, serving up a three-course meal and nothing short of two full hours of laughter and anything can happen.
Friday, 19 December 2025
Screening: Home Alone
The Quarry Theatre @ 7pm
Tickets: from £6
Come and join The Quarry team for a screening of this Christmas classic, now 35 years old.
An eight-year-old troublemaker, mistakenly left home alone, must defend his home against a pair of burglars on Christmas Eve. Hilarity ensues.
Friday, 19 December 2025
Live music: Mad Mods & Englishmen
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £10
Following a packed-out show earlier in 2025, it’s time to welcome Mad Mods back to Bedford for a special Christmas show at Esquires on Friday, 19 December.
Anyone that has seen the ‘Mad Mods’ live will tell you that they are no traditional covers band. Their energetic performances have built them a massive following, and they have a reputation for packing every venue they play at and then bringing the house down!
Their repertoire includes hits from The Who, Small Faces, The Kinks, Rolling Stones, Spencer Davis, Yardbirds, The Jam and many more, and yes, they’ve even been known to smash the odd guitar up on stage…
Friday, 19 December 2025
Dance music: Nicky Blackmarket
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm – 2am
Tickets: £15
Get ready for a night of pure energy featuring DnB and Jungle royalty.
Saturday, 20 December 2025
Children’s Theatre: Comedy Club 4 Kids Christmas Cracker
The Quarry Theatre @ 2pm
Tickets: from £8
Since 2005, the Comedy Club 4 Kids has been getting the best stand-ups, sketch acts and cabaret stars from the international circuit to do their thing for an audience of children (aged 6+) and their families… but without the rude bits. Both onstage and in their Radio Nonsense podcast, everything is tailored to entertain all ages. And with their Christmas Cracker show, everything gets a festive twist!
So prepare to feast your mince pies (eyes) on some of our favourite comics, bringing the tinsel tomfoolery to town, stuffing the stage with some delicious jokes and Yule cool.
Saturday, 20 – Wednesday, 31 December 2025
Family festive fun: Aladdin – The Pantomime
Bedford CornExchange (times vary)
Tickets: prices vary
A family-friendly production with all the slapstick and comedy expected from a traditional pantomime. Jam-packed with classic tunes, old and new, together with audience participation, an excellent treat for all the family.
Relaxed performance on 29 December at 1pm.
Sunday, 21 December 2025
Live music: Who Stung Sting play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
A welcome return to the Sunday Afternoon Session for this fresh(ish) four-piece playing a selection of reggae and ska classics plus a few converted songs.
Throughout December…
Bedford’s churches are opening their doors to the true meaning of Christmas this month, and you can find out full details of the services at various places of worship at our annual round-up here.
Merry Christmas!
At the Higgins Bedford
Exhibition: Noel Carrington: Nothing Need Be Ugly
The Higgins Bedford
Free entry
Curated by writer and publisher Joe Pearson, this exhibition tells the story of publishing’s unsung hero Noel Carrington (1895–1989). Schooled in Bedford with his sister Dora, Noel Carrington became one of the most influential figures in 20 th century design. Through the Puffin Picture Books and Country Life he commissioned, edited and published some of Britian’s most loved children’s picture books.
Read: Celebrating Bedford’s unsung publishing hero: Noel Carrington and Puffin Picture Books
He saw the genius in artists such as Kathleen Hale, publishing books about Orlando the Marmalade Cat and championed emerging artists such as Hilary Stebbing. With Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden and Mervyn Peake he commissioned books such as ‘High Street’, ‘Life in an English Village’ and ‘Captain Slaughterboard’.
Through beloved children’s books, forgotten gems and original artwork this exhibition will take Noel Carrington out of the footnotes and into the spotlight.
Exhibition: Edward Bawden – Printmaker
The Higgins Bedford until 26 April
Free entry
Take a trip to the Higgins Bedford to explore the Edward Bawden Printmaker exhibition, which celebrates Bawden’s remarkable legacy as ‘The Master of the Linocut’ and offers visitors a chance to delve into his innovative techniques and artistic achievements.
At the Panacea Museum
Permanent exhibition: Discover the amazing story of a unique religious community
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd, Bedford MK40 3NX
11am – 5pm (last entry 4.30) Thursday – Sunday
Free entry
This fascinating hidden gem of a museum tells the story of the Panacea Society – a Christian group formed in the early twentieth century who created their own ‘Garden of Eden’ in the centre of Bedford.
The Panacea Museum is located across several Victorian buildings that formed the community’s headquarters. It tells the story of the Panacea Society and other similar religious groups.
Exhibition: The Panacea Society and the Second World War
The Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd, Bedford MK40 3NX @ Thursday to Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Free entry
A new social history exhibition has opened at the Panacea Museum this month, exploring the unseen story of this remarkable society and World War II.
Read: New exhibition: The Panacea Society and the Second World War
The beautiful gardens surrounding the Museum are currently filled with blossoming trees, birds, butterflies and bees, and a stroll through the grounds is a highly recommended in addition to a visit to the museum.
Every Tuesday
Community: Tuesday Chess Café
The Pavilion in the Park @ 2pm – 4pm
Free
If you’re a keen chess player or have always wanted to learn, then the weekly chess cafe at the Pavilion in the Park is for you.
Players meet every week and there’s no membership, no fee – just turn up. All you need to do is buy a coffee to support the venue. Any standard, from complete novice to Grand Master, welcome.
