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 The Cellar Bar Bedford.
Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Live music: Martin Stephenson & The Daintees ‘Boat To Bolivia’ 40th Anniversary + Nicola Madill
Bedford Esquires @ 7pm
Martin Stephenson & The Daintees hail from the North East of England. Their debut single ‘Roll On Summertime’ was released in 1982 on Kitchenware Records (home of Prefab Sprout, The Kane Gang, Hurrah!).
‘Boat To Bolivia’ was the debut album by Martin Stephenson & The Daintees. After appearances on Channel 4’s ‘The Tube’ and BBC2’s ‘Whistle Test’ the album went on to become one of the essential releases of 1986
Martin Stephenson & The Daintees will be performing the ‘Boat To Bolivia’ album in full and in sequence along with other favourites from their extensive career.
Thursday, 27 November 2025
Film: Stevington Cinema Club presents NTLive broadcast – The Fifth Step
Stevington Village Hall, Court Lane, MK43 7QT @ 6.30pm
Tickets: £16
A new arrival (Slow Horses’ Jack Lowden) at Alcoholics Anonymous meets with his apparently composed sponsor (Martin Freeman) in David Ireland’s knotty, often hilarious two-hander.
Thursday, 27, Friday, 28 and Saturday, 29 November 2025
Festive fun: Petals and Amazons wreath-making workshops
The Arc, Howard Street @ 6.30pm
Tickets: £67.50
Gather your gang for a fun evening of wreath-making, shopping and general Christmas merry-making in the gloriously festive wonderland that is The Arc Bedford.
Make your own natural and environmentally-friendly wreath while relaxing over Christmas food and drinks from You For Coffee. Enjoy 15% off shopping at The Arc all evening, so you can also make a dent in that Christmas shopping list.
Thursday, 27 November 2025
Shopping: Bedford Heights Christmas Market
Bedford Heights, Brickhill Drive MK41 7PH @ 11.30am -2.30pm
Free and open to the public
Always a popular event, Bedford Heights once again welcomes an array of fantastic local makers, crafters and pop up shops so you can find the perfect gifts for friends and family this Christmas. Think local gin, jewellery, home fragrance, beautifully crafted woodturning, and skincare.
Thursday, 27 November 2025
Dance: Swan Lake
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £30/£28
Swan Lake is one of Tchaikovsky’s best works, featuring some of ballet’s most memorable music and breathtaking dance. Swan Lake is a tale of two young women, Odette and Odilie, who resemble each other so strikingly that one can easily be mistaken for the other.
It is the compelling legend of a tragic romance in which a princess, Odette, is turned into a swan by an evil curse. Prince Siegfried chances upon a flock of swans while out hunting. When one of the swans turns into a beautiful young woman he is instantly captivated – will his love prove strong enough to break the evil spell that she is under?
Friday, 28 November 2025
Live music: Wolfgang Flür (Ex Kraftwerk) + Pete Duggel
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £23
Wolfgang Flür was a member of Kraftwerk during the group’s golden era, performing as the band’s electronic percussionist from 1973 to 1987.
Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Flür joined Kraftwerk in 1973, replacing a drum machine. He was a member of the group from their international breakthrough with the album Autobahn (1974). He remained as they experimented with proto techno on albums such as Trans-Europe Express (1977) and Computer World (1981).
Frustrated with the half-a-decade it took to produce Electric Cafe (1986), he left the band after the LP’s release — it wouldn’t be until a 2009 reissue that Flür received an artist credit on the album. In 1997, he launched his solo career under the name Yamo and released Time Pie, an album that featured work with the experimental duo Mouse on Mars.
His live performance will include the true analogue influences from the early electronic movement, whilst showcasing his modern introductions of pop, techno, and soundtrack sounds. Dedicated fans and pure electronic appreciators will be truly entertained!
Friday, 28 November 2025
Live music: Hole in The Head – Charity Event Ft Poison Justice & The Pride
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: charity donation
A charity event to raise money for a wonderful young dad who was recently diagnosed with a Brain Tumour. Raising money to get ground-breaking treatment in Germany.
With music from: Poison Justice & The Pride
Saturday, 29 and Sunday, 30 November 2025
Live music: Harpur Square Christmas Gig
Harpur Square
Free event
Bedford Music Service is back with their showcase stage – celebrating a term of hard work and amazing music-making and featuring over 200 students, will be performing across the weekend in choirs, jazz bands, rock bands, steel pans, orchestras, and more.
Expect dhol drummers, rappers, beatboxers, DJs, and some incredible solo acts. Come along, support our young musicians, explore the stalls, and grab some lunch while soaking up the sounds of Bedford’s vibrant music community.
This is supported by funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Saturday, 29 and Sunday, 30 November 2025
Christmas: St Andrew’s Crib Festival
St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Road, MK40 2PF @ 10am – 4pm (Sat) 1pm – 4pm (Sun)
Free entry
A new and unique festive event is taking place at St Andrews Church this month. The church will be filled with reimagined nativity sets made by local individuals, families, schools, groups and charities.
The cribs are modelled from everything from wood to Lego, biscuits to junk modelling and visitors will be invited to vote for their favourite crib with a winner awarded in each category. World Vision, Home for Good, and Emmaus Village Carlton. For more information, contact info@standrewsbedford.org.
Saturday, 29 November 2025
Festive fun: Victorian Christmas Fayre
St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square MK40 1SQ @ 11am – 4pm
Free entry
Start your festive season in traditional style with this Victorian Christmas Fayre, hosted by Confetti Events in the beautiful surroundings of St Paul’s church. Over 40 stalls including jewellery, clothing, skincare, ceramics and much more.
A festive cafe will be serving hot and cold drinks, sausage rolls and brownies. Plus facepainting and maybe even a visit from Santa…
Saturday, 29 November 2025
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Harrold Country Park, MK43 7DS @ 1.30pm
A six-mile walk through Harrold Country Park, then Chellington, Pavenham and Odell.
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, 29 November 2025
Live music: CEREMONY Alumni : She’s In Parties + Cucamaras + djank + Herbie May (The Lounge Society)
Bedford Esquires @ 6.30pm
As a special pre-Christmas treat, Esquires thought it would be a great idea to welcome some of the alumni from previous Ceremony events back to the venue to deliver another great event. Four acts in the main room (no trekking up and down the stairs, folks!) and the line-up goes like this…
She’s In Parties played Room 2 at Ceremony 3, Cucamaras played Room 2 at Ceremony 4.5, djank (previously Cosmorat) played Room 2 at Ceremony 4 and Herbie May (from The Lounge Society) played the main room at Ceremony 3
Sunday, 30 November 2025
Festive family fun: Kempston Christmas lights switch on
Saxon Centre, Kempston @ midday – 4pm
Free
The Christmas festivities will kick off in Kempston at the Saxon Centre at midday on 30 November, with the ligh switch on taking place at 4pm. Enjoy carols sung by local school choirs and soak up the festive atmosphere with local artisan stalls, delicious treats, and festive rides.
Don’t forget to take a festive family photo under the Christmas Tree at the Saxon Centre!
Sunday, 30 November 2025
Live music: The King Bees play the Sunday afternoon session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
The King Bees are a Bedford-based blues/funk/RnB/soul band making a welcome return to Esquires for the Sunday Afternoon Session.
Sunday, 30 November 2025
Theatre: Railway 200
The Place Theatre @ 2.30pm
Tickets: £6/£4
A comical, educational, and entertaining look back at our railways from the past 200 years.
This brand-new show retells the story of how the modern railway came to being. Along the way, we meet famous historical figures, relive milestone events, and learn about the ups and downs of our railway’s history over the past two centuries.
Complete with original new music, this show takes you back to the golden age of rail. Come and find out how it all started, what the Brontes had to do with trains, and what was the British Rail Flying Saucer all about?
Tuesday, 2 December 2025
Film: Bedford Film Society presents Penguin Lessions
University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Avenue
Tickets: Annual membership £70 / day member £5
During the 1976 coup in Argentina, an English teacher rescues a penguin from an oil spill and brings it to his boarding school. His life begins to change when the bird’s presence starts to have a positive effect on the school.
Wednesday, 3 – Sunday, 7 December 2025
Community and charity: Bedford Christmas Tree Festival
St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square MK40 1SQ @ Wed-Sat 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12pm – 4pm.
Entry: £4 / under 16 years free
Celebrate 25 years of the Bedford Christmas Tree Festival and browse 70 trees decorated with this year’s theme of ‘Christmas Past, Present and Future’. There are daily music performances and competitions for all.
Wednesday, 3 December 2025
Christmas: Fizz at the Festival
St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square MK40 1SQ @ 6pm – 8pm
Tickets: £12 (in aid of St Paul’s church and Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends)
Enjoy fizz and canapés with friends and colleagues at this private viewing of the magical Christmas Tree Festival in sparkling evening light. Open to everyone.
Tickets in advance by calling 01234 340163 (10 – 4pm Monday to Friday) or emailing fizzatthefestival@stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk.
Wednesday, 3 December 2025
Theatre: A Pleasing Terror
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £14.50
Two ghost stories by M R James
Performed by R M Lloyd Parry
Over a century after they were first published, the ghost stories of M R James retain their power to terrify and amuse. This gripping one man show retells two of the earliest and eeriest.
In Canon Alberic’s Scrap-book, a young Cambridge antiquary discovers the devil in the details of an old book in a medieval town in the French Pyrenees… In The Mezzotint a ghoulish revenge is enacted within a work of art, before the helpless eyes of a museum curator in Oxford…
Thursday, 4 December 2025
Live music: Irish Music Folk Night
The Castle, Newnham Street @ 7.30pm
Free entry
Head to The Castle on Newnham Street for some foot tapping Irish tunes and a great craic.
Thursday, 4 December 2025
Comedy: Aurie Styla’s Christmas Crack-Up
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £28.50
After a year of performing worldwide, award-winning comedian Aurie Styla is back on tour with his biggest one to date.
Thursday, 4 December 2025
Quiz: Esquires’ monthly music quiz
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm
£2 per person/maximum of six per team
Head to Esquires for their monthly music quiz on the first Thursday of every month. Teams of up to six people compete in the quiz featuring music from the 50s to the present. Cash prize for the winning team.
Friday, 5 December – Saturday, 3 January 2025
Christmas: Shuttleworth in Lights
Shuttleworth Collection and Swiss Gardens, SG18 9DT @ times vary
Tickets: £17.50/£16 (adult) | £10 (ages 3 – 15)
Shuttleworth’s dedicated team will once again turn their collection and Swiss Garden into an illuminated experience that shows Shuttleworth in a whole new light [see what we did there?]. Produced entirely in-house, the light trail lets you explore Swiss Garden’s quirky features aglow in vibrant colours, with some fun interactive elements and photo-worthy moments.
In the Collection hangars, Shuttleworth’s iconic aircraft, vehicles, and machines will be bathed in light. As this is an outside event, warm, waterproof protective clothing and footwear is recommended.
Friday, 5 December 2025
Quiz: Big Christmas Raise the Roof Quiz
The Place Theatre @ 7pm
Tickets: £3
Join the Place team for their last festive quiz of the year! The bar will be open and there might even be some mince pies!
Friday, 5 December 2025
Classical music: Christmas Tree Festival concert featuring Amici Music
St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square MK40 1SQ @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £25 (in aid of St Paul’s church and Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends). Available from peoplesfundraising.com/concert-tickets.
Twenty-five talented musicians are celebrating 25 years of the Bedford Christmas Tree Festival by performing seasonal favourites including Bach, Mozart and Vivaldi.
Friday, 5 December 2025
Live music: Mên an Tol + Tooth
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
Formed in the orbit of a South London pub, the spirit of Mên An Tol channels the raw grit of folk greats like The Pogues and The Waterboys alongside the mainstage urgency and confidence of Britpop giants.
Perhaps most vitally, the songs proudly reclaim lost folk traditions with the use of the mandolin coupled with vibrant storytelling.
Saturday, 6 and Sunday, 7 December 2025
Shopping: Bedford Christmas Craft Market, Bedford Flea and Outdoor Cinema
Harpur Square and the Harpur Suite @ 10am – 8pm
Over the first weekend in December, Harpur Square will host a festive craft market, Bedford ‘Fleamas’ and here will also be a large screen showing Christmas films from 10am-8pm, a bar, and food available to purchase.
Saturday, 6 December 2025
Festive family fun: Letters to Santa
Bedford Central Library, Harpur Square
Free
Take part in this free craft session at Bedford Central Library to make a letter to send to Father Christmas.
Saturday, 6 December 2025
Music: The Rolling Stones Now
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £15.50
The band who have been strutting, pouting and riffing now for over 27 years are inviting you to don your dancing shoes and join in the rock’n’roll party!
The Rolling Stones Now is a celebration of all that has made The Rolling Stones legendary. In full costumes, recreating the Stones live shows of the late 60’s – 90’s, Mick’s pout, Keith’s riffs and Bill’s stony face are all on show as the band play some of the greatest songs ever written including It’s only Rock ‘n’ Roll, Jumpin Jack Flash, Paint it Black, Midnight Rambler, Gimme Shelter and Sympathy for the Devil.
Saturday, 6 December 2025
Live music: The Quireboys’ Office Christmas Party
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20
A message from The Quireboys’ singer, Spike: “For everyone who’s asked why there are no shows down south on this tour, I’m pleased to announce ‘The Quireboys Office Christmas Party’ on 6 December at Bedford Esquires. So now we can get together and have drink and a laugh. Also I’ll be getting up and singing ‘A Stones Throw’ with our special tour guests ‘Soho Dukes’.”
Saturday, 6 December 2025
Live music: Special Kinda Madness
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15
Special Kinda Madness are back in Bedford for their annual gig with their classic take on Madness and The Specials.
The band perform a truly authentic set from each band, combining the phenomenally energetic stage presence of The Specials with the wonderful iconic tunes of the Madness ‘Nutty Boys’. Playing a set from each band and producing a show that will have the audience up and dancing from the off, Special Kinda Madness will have everyone hankering after that exciting era of 2-Tone and ska.
Sunday, 7 December 2025
Shopping: Artisan Fair
Bromham Mill MK43 8LP @ 10am – 2pm
Free entry
Step into the festive spirit at Bromham Mill’s annual Christmas Fair – their last of the season, set in the charming surroundings of the historic mill. Browse a delightful selection of stalls featuring handmade gifts, festive crafts, decorations, and local treats.
Sunday, 7 December 2025
Live music: The Dirty Rhodes Band play the Sunday afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Playing a fantastic blend of jazz, funk and soul, The Dirty Rhodes Band return to Esquires for a Sunday Afternoon Session.
Sunday, 7 December 2025
Festive fun: Step into Christmas
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £3
This Christmas feel-good show brings all the magic of the season to life, with all your favourite songs including All I Want for Christmas Is You, Last Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, Stay Another Day, Let it Snow, White Christmas, Do They Know it’s Christmas, A Winter’s Tale, Merry Xmas Everybody, and many many more!
Sunday, 7 December 2025
Poetry: Read Poets – Eighth Midwinter Chill
The Eagle Bookshop @ 7pm
Tickets: Free, but please book via the Place Theatre website
Join the Swan Poetry Society for their monthly reading of poems reflecting the season. This month’s theme is – Midwinter Chill.
This monthly event takes place at The Eagle Bookshop in St Peter’s Street.
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.
Theatre listings by Paula Walker
