The Clanger’s 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.
Tuesday, 15 – Saturday, 19 September 2026
Theatre: Dinner by Moira Buffini
Sharnbrook Mill Theatre @ 7.30pm nightly
Tickets from £18
An evening of fine dining descends into chaos in Moira Buffini’s razor-sharp satire Dinner.
Wickedly funny, unsettling, and deliciously provocative, Dinner invites you to a night where manners are abandoned and survival is on the menu.
The characters are brilliantly brought to life by cast members Tracey Chatterley, David Mander, Tim Wyatt, Marie de Greeve, Annette Codrington, Chris Uff and Tom Carter.
Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Live music: Bedford Bakes Baking Club – holiday bakes
The Castle, Newnham Street @ 7.30pm
Free entry
Bedford Bakes is a baking club where everyone is welcome!
This meeting’s theme is ‘holiday bakes’, so bake and bring something you’ve enjoyed on your holidays. During the meeting, share bakes – both sweet and savoury – swap recipes & discover new creations.
It’s the perfect chance to connect with fellow bakers & enjoy new treats in a warm & welcoming atmosphere. No sign up. No fee. No need to book; just turn up with your bakes.
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Bedford Skeptics: The Common Cold: 30,000 Years of the Sniffles with Dr. David Miles
The North End Club, 60 Roff Avenue, Bedford, MK41 7TW @ 7.30pm
Donations appreciated
The first cold virus was detected in a milk tooth shed over 30,000 years ago, and ever since, the common cold has been a bane.
David Miles is an infectious disease immunologist who spent 10 years researching immunity to infections and the vaccinations that protect against them in various parts of Africa.
His second book, Sneeze: The History and Science of the Common Cold, was published in March this year. variolator.com/about
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Theatre: Hasbian
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £20
Hasbian takes audiences on a queer coming-of-age journey, from childhood to cringey adolescence – from identifying as a teenage lesbian, to realising boys are also appealing.
The show is fun, upbeat, and packed with 90s and 00s pop culture and a throwback soundtrack featuring S Club, B*Witched and Destiny’s Child.
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Live music: Midding + guests
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
Through the release of two EPs on Tough Love Records, Midding have established a sound that feels both familiar and entirely their own.
Expect a blend of lo-fi tape saturation, fuzz-soaked guitars and melodic vocals; their songs balance noise and atmosphere with catchy pop sensibilities in equal measure.
Midding sit in the shadowy space between post‑punk unease, shoegaze haze, and art‑rock precision — a band who build songs like weather fronts.
Their sound moves from quiet, brittle minimalism to towering walls of distortion, always with a sense of emotional weight and slow‑creeping drama.
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Comedy: British Comedian of the Year – Bedford Heat
The Quarry Theatre @ 8pm
Tickets: £15
Castle Comedy and the Quarry Theatre host the British Comedian of the Year: Bedford Heat. This competition has the biggest comedy prize in the UK, a whopping £10,001. T
he quality will be sky-high. Paul Revill will host the show.
Friday, 18 – Sunday, 20 September 2026
Books: Write By The River literary festival
Various venues
Tickets: see website for info
A new literary festival – Write By the River – is set to transform Bedford into a hub of storytelling, big ideas, and creative inspiration this weekend.
The festival features fiction, non-fiction, poetry, crime, memoir, and children’s literature, with events designed for book lovers of all ages in town centre locations.
Happy reading!
Friday, 18 – Sunday, 20 September 2026
Live music: Beer, Sausage and Cider Festival
The Castle, Newnham Street @ from midday
Free entry
Head to The Castle for their first Beer, Cider and Sausage Festival Weekend.
Choose from eight ciders and eight cask ales, alongside the usual bar offering. Feeling peckish? Take your pick from a selection of flavoured sausages in a bun from local butchers Ingle and Caves in Marston Moretaine.
From 8.30pm on Friday night (18 September), live music will be provided by Single File – a three-piece band singing pop rock favourites. On Sunday, entertainment is from Bedford-based Irish band, The Black and Gold. The craic starts at 2pm.
Friday, 18 September 2026
Comedy: Simon Evans is Staring at the Sun
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20
With growing evidence that we are living in a Computer Simulation, BBC Radio 4 stalwart and veteran of a quarter century of highly acclaimed stand-up comedy Simon Evans is revisiting the blue remembered hills of his youth.
The analogue world of hitch-hiking, pub bets and hedge porn. Of being able to get properly lost.
Friday, 18 September 2026
Live music: Little Barrie + Edgar Jones
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
£20
Cast in the grand tradition of great British rock bands, and fuelled by a love of American blues, funk and soul, Little Barrie consists of Barrie Cadogan, Lewis Wharton and Tony Coote.
This will be a legendary show.
Friday, 18 September 2026
Live music: Torus + Mindsigh + Blush
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £5
UK hard grunge rock band, Torus from Milton Keynes/Towcester, come to Bedford to celebrate their ‘Take Me Home’ EP.
Support is from some of the best local young up-and-coming new rock bands from the area, MINDSIGH and Blush.
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Community: £1 pop-up preloved clothing sale
Emmaus Village Carlton, School Lane MK43 7LQ @ 10am – 3pm
Free entry
Head to Emmaus Village in Carlton to hunt for a bargain among the preloved clothing, all just £1.
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Exhibition: Threads
The Arc, Howard Street
Free entry
Bedford-based artist (and drummer) Chris Thatcher has a new solo exhibition at The Arc this month. The collection of paintings and ink drawings are all for sale, alongside selected prints.
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Theatre: The (Almost) Complete History of Britain
The Place Theatre @ 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Tickets: from £16
Missed this one in April – never fear – it’s back, with mud, blood and stiff upper-lips in under two hours.
Have you ever wanted to see the life of Henry VIII told as a romantic comedy or the tale of the Spanish Armada reimagined as a light operetta?
Probably not. But that won’t stop The Pantaloons retelling great moments from the country’s past in a variety of surprising genres! Featuring live music, audience interaction and wild historical inaccuracy.
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Live music: Soho Dukes + WitchDoktors + Noir Mates
Bedford Esquires @ 7pm
Tickets: £12
World-renowned, critically acclaimed, electrically powered, rascal rock and rollers, Soho Dukes play a double-headline show in Room 2 at Esquires with their good friends WitchDoktors.
With Special guests Noir Mates.
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Dance music: GoodTimes 30th anniversary party
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm – 1.30am
Tickets: £19.50
GoodTimes is celebrating 30 years of bringing dance music to the discerning music lovers of Bedford with a special anniversary event at Esquires this month.
What began as a passion for house music and creating unforgettable nights, GoodTimes has grown into a project celebrating the town’s musical heritage, reconnecting generations and bringing people together through music.
Read: GoodTimes celebrates bringing dance music to Bedford for 30 years
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Dance music: Remedy featuring Aidy West
Dom Polski, Ashburnham Road @ 8pm
Tickets: £15
Remedy returns to Dom Polski, and this month they are welcoming Aidy West, one of the most respected underground DJs and a pivotal tastemaker in the UK dance scene.
He is known for playing eclectic sets blending deep house, disco, boogie, jazz-funk and leftfield obscurities
His set will be played on the Golden Lounge Sound System, a bespoke Hi-Fi sound system handmade in the UK.
Over the past year, Remedy has become known for its friendly and inclusive vibe. If you are yearning for a place to dance and make new friends, this is a night for you.
Tickets cost £15, and include a vegan buffet as well as a cloakroom.* To get your tickets, sign up for their invite list here. Once you’ve signed up to the list, you will be sent a link to get your tickets.
Sunday, 20 September 2026
Walking: “The Rise and Fall of Bedford Castle” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the What’s On Hub in Silver Square
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
The Norman Conquest of Britain witnessed the introduction of castles to the landscape and in Bedford, a major castle was built in the 12th century. Walk through the old castle grounds, see the mound on which it once stood and hear the story of the castle and its demise in the siege of 1224. This year witnesses the 800th anniversary of the Great Siege of Bedford Castle in 1224.
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Sunday, 20 September 2026
Live music: Thr3e play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Thr3e are back at Esquires to play the Sunday Afternoon Session.
The band will play two sets of original rock and blues with a few covers in their own style.
Tuesday, 22 – Saturday, 26 September 2026
Community Theatre: 2:22 A Ghost Story
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £12
2:22 A Ghost Story is an adrenaline-filled, supernatural thriller by Danny Robins.
Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and her new partner Ben. Can the dead really walk again?
Belief and scepticism clash, but something feels strange and frightening, and that something is getting closer, so they’re going to stay up… until 2:22… and then they’ll know.
Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Classical music: Lunchtime recital
St Paul’s church, St Paul’s Square @ noon
Free with retiring collection
Piano recital by Sonya Pigot. Free with retiring collection.
Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Film: Bedford Film Society presents The Rose of Nevada
University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Avenue
Tickets: Annual membership £70 / day member £5
Starring George MacKay and Callum Turner, the film tells the story of a fishing vessel that was lost at sea 30 years ago, and mysteriously reappears in the harbour of a fishing village.
Four stars: The Guardian
Thursday, 24 September 2026
Walking: “A Tour of St Paul’s Church” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the What’s On Hub in Silver Square
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
St. Paul’s church has been at the centre of Bedford’s life for over one thousand years and has many stories to tell. Join us on a tour of this beautiful church in the heart of Bedford as we tell its story.
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Friday, 25 September 2026
Creative People Bedford presents: Creatives breakfast
The Higgins Pantry 9.15am – 11am
Tickets: £15
Join this low-key breakfast social for creative professionals in Bedford. From designers and architects to poets, photographers, artists and product designers.
Whatever your profession: freelance, in-house or anything in-between – come and connect. Creatives breakfast is run by Creative People Bedford – we’re an independent community and social enterprise for creative professionals in and around Bedford.
From Friday, 25 September 2026
New exhibition: Rhyme and Reason
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane
Free entry
Discover the influence of stories and poetry on artists in this new exhibition drawn from the internationally renowned Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection.
Greek myths and Shakespearean stories, Arthurian legends and poetry will all be explored in the works of artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, Paula Rego, Henry Moore, Ceri Richards and Henri Matisse.
A full colour catalogue by curators Professor Christiana Payne, Dr Mary O’Neill and Victoria Partridge will be available to buy in the shop.
Friday, 25 September 2026
Tribute act: The Magic of the Beatles
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £30
Playing to ecstatic sell-out audiences all over the world – The Magic of the Beatles is all you need for an unforgettable night of million-selling memories.
Expect hits including: She Loves You, A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, I Feel Fine, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Hey Jude, Here Comes the Sun, Get Back and more.
Friday, 25 September 2026
Live music: Fontaines C.D + Kazabian
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £16
A massive tribute double header is coming to Esquires main stage this weekend with a celebration of Fontaines DC and Kasabian.
Fontaines C.D are the original and definitive tribute one of Ireland’s finest new exports, while Kazabian were last seen headlining the venue in their own right wayyyyy back in 2018.
Friday, 25 September 2026
Live music: GIFT + Oslo Twins
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £13.50
GIFT is a psychedelic rock band from Brooklyn, NY, whose sonic vibrations nod to echo-heavy ‘90s psychedelic icons like Brian Jonestown Massacre and Spiritualized.
Inspired by Ram Dass’ legendary book Be Here Now, the name GIFT is a play on words invoking the word “present,” as in “the present,” as in “it’s a gift to live and breathe in the present.”
Support comes from the Oslo Twins, a dream pop duo who emerged from Bristol’s DIY scene, known for their moody, synth driven soundscapes that blend trip-hop, lo-fi and atmospheric electronica.
Saturday, 26 November 2026
Live music: Big 10 – The 10 Piece Ska Band
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £13
Cambridge Ska legends BIG 10 are back at Bedford Esquires, following their packed out show at the venue last summer.
Renowned for a huge Ska sound, entertaining stage antics and a loyal following, Big 10 are one of the most popular ska / 2 tone acts in the south east. With eight – 10 musicians on stage at gigs (including a brass section and backing singers) a Big 10 performance is a real treat for the senses.
Sunday, 27 September 2026
Walking: “Bedford in World War II” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the What’s On Hub in Silver Square
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
A walk that reveals the way of life in Bedford and some of the little-known facts about the role it played during World War II. Learn how Bedford became the main hub of the BBC during the war and how it also became a centre of wartime entertainment. Discover a ‘secret’ Bedford and the connections of the town to the code breakers at Bletchley park.
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Sunday, 27 September 2026
Family fun: Crafternoon
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane @ 2pm – 4pm
Free entry
The Higgins Crafternoons are free activity sessions for families to have a go at ‘making’ and getting creative together. All resources are provided. Suitable for under 12s.
Sunday, 27 September 2026
Live music: The Workshop Boys play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Formed by former members of Los Marbles and Cutting Out,The Workshop Boys have become one of Bedford’s most loved bar bands.They return to Bedford Esquires for the Sunday afternoon session.
Sunday, 27 September 2026
Live music: An Evening with Kristin Hersh
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £10 – £25
Following the sold out Throwing Muses show last year, the team at Esquires is delighted to confirm that Kristin Hersh will be returning to the venue for a very special (and fully seated) solo show.
Billed as ‘an Evening with Kristin Hersh’, the show will feature no support and two sets from one of America’s most revered and individual songwriters of the past 30 years.
Every Monday
Live music: An evening with Mat Roberts & guests
The Castle, Newnham Street @ 7.30pm
Free entry
Join Mat Roberts and special guests every Monday evening for the best live music and a chilled-out vibe.
At the Higgins Bedford
Until 4 October
Exhibition: Children’s Art Competition and Exhibition
Sir William Harpur Gallery at the Higgins Bedford
The Children’s Art Competition features more than 100 pieces of artwork created by pupils from schools across Bedford Borough. The children aged 4 to 18 have created their artwork at workshops with professional artists visiting their schools.
The theme for the 2026 exhibition is ‘Aspire: Nurturing Potential’, based on their aspirations, goals, dreams, hopes and what they want to be or do in life.
Read: Young Bedford artists showcase big ambitions in ‘Aspire’ exhibition
The competition and exhibition are a collaboration between The Harpur Trust and The Higgins Bedford.
Until April 2027
Display: A Brewery in Bedford: Celebrating 150 Years of Wells & Co.
Somewhere in England Foyer, First Floor
Free entry
Founded in 1876 by Charles Wells, the business began at Horne Lane Brewery, brewing beers and growing a thriving pub estate.
Read: 150 years of Bedford’s brewing heritage on display at The Higgins
In 2019, it moved to Brewpoint and rebranded as Wells & Co., marking an exciting new chapter. Find out more about their 150 year journey.
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.
