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, 11 and Thursday, 12 February 2026
BRAVE Youth Theatre presents: Jason and the Argonauts and Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £12
Two shows created by The Place Theatre’s youth drama group, BRAVE.
One, a sweeping tale of gods, monsters, and the power of unity, the other, Shakespeare’s timeless, enchanting comedy.
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Art and culture: Noel Carrington exhibition tour
The Higgins Bedford @ 12 – 12.30pm
Tickets £3.95, conc £3.35 | Booking essential
Join the Higgins’ Keeper of Fine and Decorative Art for a lunchtime tour of some of the highlights of the Higgins’ latest exhibition.
Thursday, 12 February 2026
Reminiscence Session: Puffin Picture Books
The Higgins Bedford @ 11am – 12.30pm
Free, drop in
Come and share your favourite Puffin books and find out more about their history in the Higgins’ exhibition about Noel Carrington, their founder.
Thursday, 12 February 2026
Comedy: Castle Comedy Valentine Special
The Quarry Theatre @ 8pm
Tickets: £18
Castle Comedy is back at The Quarry Theatre with its traditional Valentine’s Special. Featuring Lloyd Griffith (Ted Lasso, Return to Paradise), Fiona Allen (Emmy-award-winning star of Smack the Pony) and David Eagle (award-winning musical comedy).
Hosted as ever by Paul Revell, the award-winning comedian and one of the most likeable acts on the UK comedy circuit.
Friday, 13 February 2026
Theatre: My Life with Kenneth Williams
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £22
In celebration of Kenneth Williams’ 100th birthday, David Benson revisits his classic portrait of the much-missed Carry On star in a new version of his show exploring the astonishing connection that intertwined his life with that of Williams when Benson was still a schoolboy.
A captivating raconteur in his own right, Benson has many tales to tell of his time as ‘the man who does Kenneth Williams’ and the adventures he has had since in an unconventional career.
Friday, 13 February 2026
Live music: Guns 2 Roses
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15
If you’re a GN’R fan then this is the night for you. One of the only tribute bands to have actually played live on stage with four members of Guns N’Roses themselves.
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Community: Love iLearn Bedford: Seed Swap and Community Treasure Sale
Methodist Church, London Road @ 11am – 3pm
Free entry
Love iLearn Bedford: Seed Swap and Community Treasure Sale combines a jumble sale with a plant and seed swap, encouraging sustainability, wellbeing, and neighbourly connection.
Read: Seed Swap and Treasure Sale aims to celebrate London Road community
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Classical music: Organ recital
St Paul’s church, St Paul’s Square @ midday
Free with retiring collection
Enjoy a free organ recital in the peaceful surroundings of St Paul’s Church in the heart of Bedford. This month’s recital is by Laurence Caldecote, assistant organist at All Saints, Northampton.
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Comedy: Biff to the Future
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £23
Fresh from an acclaimed, award-winning Edinburgh Festival Fringe premiere, Biff To The Future is a heartfelt and unauthorised parody that explores the highs and lows of a life chasing power, fame and fortune, reliving Biff’s encounters with Marty and Doc across the Back to the Future-verse.
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Community Theatre: Medea
The Place Theatre 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Tickets: from £12
Medea is a wife and a mother. For the sake of her husband, Jason, she’s left her home and borne two sons in exile. But when he abandons his family for a new life, Medea faces banishment and separation from her children.
Cornered, she begs for one day’s grace. It’s time enough. She exacts an appalling revenge and destroys everything she holds dear.
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Live music: The Pride play Valentines Day
Bedford Esquires @ 7pm
Tickets: £7
Join The Pride at their favourite venue (Bedford Esquires, obvs), for a Valentines Special. A night of authentic Reggae, Ska, and Rocksteady.
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Live music: Black and Gold
The Flowerpot, Tavistock Street @ 9pm
Free entry
An evening of Irish folk music from Black and Gold at this cosy town-centre pub.
Sunday, 15 February 2026
Family fun: Crafternoon with artist Marisa Straccia
The Higgins Bedford @ 2pm – 4pm
Free, drop-in, no need to book
Join local artist Marisa Straccia to make your own three-dimensional Orlanda cat model.
Orlando is one of the stars of the Noel Carrington exhibition and Marisa has created a cat template for you decorate and build. All resources are provided. Suitable for under 12s.
Sunday, 15 February 2026
Live music: Thr3e play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Firmly rooted in British 60’s and 70’s rock and blues but with influences ranging from old to the more recent, Thr3e return for a Sunday Afternoon Session.
Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Family fun: Half-term activities
The Higgins Bedford @ times vary
Prices vary
Head to the Higgins this half term for a variety of fun activities for children. Make your own seedballs to feed the birds, create clay puffins, and there’s even a circus skills workshop.
Visit the website here to book.
Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Classical music: Lunchtime recital
St Paul’s church, St Paul’s Square @ 1pm
Free with retiring collection
Step into the beautiful surroundings of St Paul’s church to enjoy a free lunchtime performance by fellows of the Philharmonia, Edward Mead – cello and Mark Kinkaid – piano. The programme features Schumann Fantasiestücke, Op. 73, Mendelssohn Songs without words (arr. Grutzmacher), Brahms Cello Sonata in E minor Op. 38
Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Bedford National Trust Association talk: Houghton Mill
Addison Centre, Kempston, MK42 8PN @ 2.15 pm
Further info tel: 01480 860421
A volunteer from the National Trust property, Houghton Mill, will give a talk. Everyone welcome.
Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Family Fun: Brewpoint Family Quiz
Brewpoint @ 3pm
£5/team (maximum team of six)
Head to Brewpoint this half term for their Family Quiz afternoon and put the whole crew to the test. There’s a prize for the winning family, plus novelty (non-alcoholic) giveaways throughtout the quiz.
Plus, Kids Eat for £1 will be running at the same time, so the perfect combination of good food, great fun and all the family bragging rights!
Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Bedford Film Society presents: The Teachers’ Lounge (German with subtitles)
University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Avenue @ 7pm
Tickets: Annual membership £70 / day member £5
When one of her students is suspected of theft, teacher Carla Nowak decides to investigate the matter. Caught between her ideals and the school system, the consequences of her actions threaten to break her.
Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Family fun: Living It Up Performing Arts presents: Battle of the Bands
The Quarry Theatre @ 6.15pm
Tickets: £7.50 / carers and under 14s free
It’s the ultimate showdown of ‘Snap, Crackle, Pop, Rock and Roll’ in this one-night-only, raucous show featuring historic music rivals, Rock vs Pop.
The entire show has been created by members of the Living It Up Performing Arts Centre (adults with learning disabilities and/or autism) and is certain to leave the audience laughing, cheering and singing along throughout!
Audience participation strongly encouraged.
Tuesday, 17 – Saturday, 21 February 2026
Bedford Drama Company presents: An Evening with Tom Stoppard
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £12
Get ready for an evening of absurd comedy with this double-bill of The Real Inspector Hound (1962) and If You’re Glad I’ll Be Frank (1966).
Friday, 20 February 2026
Live music: The Greensands + Mindsigh + Cheap Bleach
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £8
One of the best new bands in the area, The Greensands, are putting on their own show at Esquires this month, in celebration of their new single, Patience.
Joining them on the night will be the equally buzzy Mindsigh and Cheap Bleach.
Friday, 20 February 2026
Live music: Anti-Nowhere League + guests
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £22.50
Anti-Nowhere League are back for their annual Bedford show, this time to celebrate the band’s 45th anniversary.
Expect to hear all the classics from the band’s 45-year career.
Friday, 20 February 2026
Musical theatre: Peter Andre in the Very Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 8pm
Tickets: £45
The Very Best of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is back by overwhelming demand, delivering a spectacular, high-energy celebration of the timeless music from one of the biggest-selling groups of all time.
This nostalgic musical journey pays tribute to the life and career of those four boys from Jersey who began singing under a streetlamp and went on to become one of the most iconic acts in music history.
From the streets of New Jersey to the bright lights of the West End and Broadway, their legendary sound has been thrilling audiences for over five decades.
The Very Best of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons brings you all the hits you know and love, including Sherry, My Eyes Adored You, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, and so many more.
Saturday, 21 and Sunday, 22 February 2026
Family fun: Airships XR – pop-up experience
The Shuttleworth Collection, Alder Drive, SG18 9DT @ 10am – 4pm
Free entry
Discover Bedford’s exciting airship story in this free pop-up experience that features Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality technology.
Step inside history and explore what it was like to design, fly, and investigate these incredible engineering feats. You can explore 3D airship worlds in immersive VR, try prototype XR experiences – from flight decks to museum galleries and discover Bedford’s airship heritage through cutting-edge storytelling and technology.
Saturday, 21 February 2026
Art exhibition: ‘Inspired by Graffiti, inspired by Pop art and the Western nude’ by Mark Pinchin.
RAFA Bedford, Ashburnham Road, MK40 1EA
Free entry
An exhibition of prints, original artwork and original paintings taking their inspiration from American and English graffiti artists including Basquiat, Peterson, Oker and English pop artists, Richard Hamilton and Allen Jones.
Exhibition runs until 18 April.
Saturday, 21 February 2026
Heritage crafts: Lacemaking demonstration
The Higgins Bedford @ 11am
Free, drop-in
Aragon Lacemakers will be at the Higgins Bedford to share the traditional Bedfordshire craft of bobbin lacemaking with a ‘have a go pillow’.
Saturday, 21 February 2026
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Haynes Park, MK45 3PH @ 1pm
A seven-mile walk through Haynes and the surrounding area.
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, 21 February 2026
Live music: China Crisis
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £28.50
English pop/rock band China Crisis, formed in 1979 in Merseyside with a core of vocalist/keyboardist Gary Daly and guitarist Eddie Lundon. China Crisis were originally assimilated in the batch of new wave Liverpool acts of the late 1970s and early 1980s, led by OMD and also including The Teardrop Explodes, A Flock of Seagulls, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
China Crisis had huge success in the United Kingdom with a string of hit singles, including African & White, Christian, Working with Fire and Steel, Black Man Ray, King in Catholic Style and Wishful Thinking.
Saturday, 21 February 2026
Live music: The 900 – Tony Hawk Pro Skater Cover Band
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14
Picture this… It’s August 1999, people are getting excited about Red and Blue Pills, Star Wars has embarked on the first of their many prequel films, frosted tips and Sea Monkeys are all the rage, and the Dalek-esque tones of dial-up fill the airwaves and landlines…
But none of that is important because Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater has just entered the world of video games with a soundtrack that we simply weren’t ready for.
The 900 are the UK’s first and only Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater cover band.
Formed by their mutual understanding that no other soundtrack could ever top THPS, The 900 gives you a reason for your back to hurt in the morning. With the approval of the Birdman himself, they’re ready to kickflip into every big banger from THPS1 to American Wasteland.
Sunday, 22 February 2026
Live music: Venomous Snake play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
It’s been 23 long years, but Venomous Snake return to Esquires for a Sunday afternoon of classic rock covers.
Sunday 22 February 2026
Comedy: Geoff Norcott: Basic Bloke 2 – There’s No Bloke Without Fire
The Quarry Theatre @ 8pm
Tickets: £18
Basic Bloke 2 is Geoff’s first tour under a Labour government, so he’s got plenty to get off his chest, and it’s fair to say the gloves are off.
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.
Family fun: Cardboard Clues – murder at the movies
The Higgins Bedford until 12 April
£25/team
Become a detective and unravel a series of curious, whimsical mysteries in your local museum.
Scour the Higgins Bedford to discover hidden clues and ‘cardboard’ characters, who could be suspects, witnesses or victims, guided by the Cardboard Clues app.
Connect the dots in the stories across the museum and test your wits and problem-solving skills. Perfect for families, friends, and curious minds looking for a unique experience in a fun setting.
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 @ Thursday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Free entry
This fascinating hidden gem of a museum tells the story of the Panacea Society – a secretive Christian group formed in the early twentieth century that created its 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.
As featured on BBC Radio 4’s Mark Steel’s in Town.
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.
