Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford 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.
Wednesday, 29 April 2026
Walking: “The Life and Times of John Bunyan” 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)
Discover the story of Bedford’s most famous son, who was imprisoned for his non-conformist preaching. Visit the site of the cottage in which John and his family lived, the churches in which he worshipped and the site of the gaol in which he spent 12 long years and began to write one of the best-selling books in history, The Pilgrim’s Progress.
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.
Thursday, 30 April 2026
Live music: Nashville Live
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £26.50
The multi-award-winning hit Country show ” Nashville Live” returns for another fantastic night of toe-tapping nostalgia.
On the bill are highly acclaimed tributes to Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Tammy Wynette and Kenny Rogers and new tributes to icons Alan Jackson, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks and the new kid on the block, Luke Combs, with countless other well-known sing-along hit songs in this must-see musical extravaganza.
You’ll be transported to downtown Nashville and back, all in one night.
Thursday, 30 April 2026
Live music: The Deities + Mindsigh + Blush
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £5
Bedford’s live music scene is set for a landmark night as The Deities headline Bedford Esquires for the first time with their single launch party this week.
The four-piece rock band, made up of Kiera Smalley, Herbie Beavis, George Hayhurst and Jackson McDonald, will take to the stage to celebrate the release of their new single Find Yourself Changed. Known for their driving guitars, tight rhythms and atmospheric vocals, the band continue to build momentum on the local circuit.
While the band have previously performed at Esquires, this marks their first time stepping up as headliners at the iconic venue, long considered a cornerstone of Bedford’s music scene.
“We’ve played Esquires before, but this is our first time headlining,” said the band’s spokeperson. “It means a lot to be launching Find Yourself Changed here. It’s such an important venue for Bedford and a place we’ve always wanted to properly make our mark.”
Support comes from emerging acts, Blush and Mindsigh. Fans can also get their hands on exclusive merchandise created specially for the launch.
Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets (https://www.seetickets.com/event/the-deities-mindsigh-blush/bedford-esquires/3620635) priced at £6 and available now.
Thursday, 30 April 2026
Live music: Lady Maisery
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £18/£16/£14
The combined vocal and multi-instrumental talents of Rowan Rheingans, Hazel Askew and Hannah James make up the uniquely captivating band Lady Maisery, who have, for well over a decade, enraptured audiences throughout the UK and Europe.
Individually, three multi-award-winning artists, Lady Maisery, form a unified voice, carrying stories of sisterhood, human struggle, the joy of living and the vitality of song.
Thursday, 30 April – Friday, 1 May 2026
Theatre: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £26.50/£25
The worldwide comic phenomenon returns with this updated and reinvented rollercoaster ride through all 37 of the Bard’s plays. Grab your tickets now for a wild and irreverent show that leaves its audiences breathless with laughter.
After nine years in London’s West End, two TV specials, and performances in over 20 countries, the Reduced Shakespeare Company are reinventing this classic comic masterpiece for a new generation of audiences.
Friday, 1 May 2026
Live music: Sanctum Sanctorium : The Darkside of The 80s
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £18
Formed through a mutual love of 80’s goth and alternative rock music. Sanctum Sanctorium are a live 6-piece band that faithfully recreate classic hits by artists such as The Cult, Killing Joke, Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie & The Banshees, The Cure, Bauhaus and more. Smoke machines at the ready with the clothes and the attitude.
Visually and musically, they are startlingly accurate. Sanctum Sanctorium deliver a blistering live set from She Sells Sanctuary and Love like Blood through to Bela Lugosi’s Dead & This Corrosion. Dust down your leather jacket and paint your nails and get ready to be transported to The Dark Side of the 80’s.
Friday, 1 May 2026
Skank holiday: Reggae Matters
Bedford Esquires @ 9pm
Tickets: £17
This May bank holiday, soak up some feel-good reggae vibes and skank your way into the weekend with the return of Reggae Matters at Esquires.
Read: Skank Holiday vibes as Reggae Matters returns to Bedford Esquires
Saturday, 2 May 2026
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Morning walk meeting place: Mowsbury Park, Wentworth Drive, MK41 8DQ @ 10am
Afternoon walk meeting place: Ashmead Road Car Park, Bedford, MK41 7GA @ 1.30pm
This week’s morning walk is a slow-paced ramble from Mowsbury to the Hill Fort and Putnoe Woods (4.5 miles).
In the afternoon (meeting at 1.30pm), it’s the fifth birthday walk of the North Beds Ramblers 50th anniversary year. Enjoy a six-mile walk through Clapham Woods via Manton Lane and through Victorian Cemetery.
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, 2 and Sunday, 3 May 2026
Food & drink: Cream Teas
The Panacea Museum @ 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm
£8/person
Enjoy a traditional cream tea, served on vintage and antique china in the peaceful surroundings of the Panacea Museum. Pre-booking recommended.
Saturday, 2 May 2026
Food & Drink: Open Day at the Bedford Arms
The Bedford Arms, Oakley @ midday onwards
Free entry
Join the team at the Bedford Arms in Oakley for a day of celebrations. There will be free beer*, free food*, live music and a bouncy castle for the kids.
*while stocks last, but they assure us they’ve got plenty…
Saturday, 2 May 2026
Live music: R.E.M by Stipe
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £16.50
R.E.M. by Stipe is the definitive tribute to the music of Berry, Buck, Mills and Stipe, capturing the presence and performances of the band.
They are committed to staying true to the sound and overall aesthetic of R.E.M., so that fans, old and new, can experience the magic of hearing these songs played live with care, conviction, and affection.
Saturday, 2 May 2026
Classical music: Bedford Sinfonia concert – a celebration of youth
St Paul’s Church, Bedford @ 7.30pm – 9.45pm
Tickets: Prices vary
A celebration of youth, learning and music education. Bedford Sinfonia will be joined by acclaimed soprano Carolyn Sampson and the winners of the Young Composers’ Competition, whose pieces will be performed alongside some well-known classics, including Schubert Symphony No. 3, Mozart Exsultate, jubilate and Arriaga Symphony in D.
BOS Young Composers’ Competition winners’ presentation and performances, including Cerulean by Seth Garner, A New Discovery by Bedford Clanger reviewer Elias Demetrius-Louisy, and St George and the Dragon by Ezra Bail.
Soloist: Carolyn Sampson OBE. Conductor: Ian Smith. The Young Composers’ Competition is generously supported by The Rotary Club of Bedford Castle.
Saturday, 2 May 2026
Live music: Danni Nicholls
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £13
Bedford’s own Danni Nicholls returns to Esquire’s with a brand new album of songs in tow.
Performing with her full band, made up of some of the town’s finest musicians – come and let them rock your mind, body and heart. Nostalgic, hooky and moving, these Americana songs pull inspiration from life’s trials and tribulations; there’s a reason Danni is lauded as one of the UK’s finest independent singer/songwriters.
Saturday, 2 May 2026
Community: Bedford’s Got Talent 3 – Open Mic Night
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
Bedford’s Got Talent is returning to the Place this spring, with organisers promising it’s going to be even bigger, better, and bolder. This is an unforgettable night of creativity and performance, so expect a vibrant mix of spoken word poetry, music, comedy, dance, and more.
Saturday, 2 May 2026
Dance music: DJ Yoda – 90s Mixtape Live AV Show
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20
Step back into the 90s with DJ Yoda’s brand-new AV show, 90s Mixtape Live – an audiovisual celebration of the decade that shaped modern music, film and pop culture.
From hip hop and pop to cult TV and blockbuster cinema, the show flips everything to include the likes of Britney Spears, Blur and Notorious B.I.G., all playing alongside some of the most iconic big-screen moments from era favourites including Jurassic Park, Forrest Gump and Seinfeld.
Sunday, 3 May 2026
Community: Polish Heritage Day
Harpur Square @ 11am – 5pm
Free to attend
The much-loved Bedford Polish Heritage Day returns on Bank Holiday Sunday, bringing a celebration of Polish culture, history, and community to the Harpur Suite and Harpur Square.
Organised by PBIC in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London, Stacja Dom Polski Bedford, the Polish Parish in Bedford, The Polish School in Bedford, the Polish Language and Culture Association (PLCA), Bla Bla Bedford, and a dedicated team of volunteers, the event promises a full day of cultural experiences for all ages.
Held alongside Polish Flag Day (2 May) and Constitution Day (3 May), visitors can expect a celebration of Polish culture, including:
- Live performances from Polish and local artists
- Cultural and educational exhibitions
- Family-friendly attractions
- Traditional Polish food and local businesses
- Community organisations and engagement opportunities
- To help support the costs of organising the event, two raffles** will be held during the day: a general raffle with a range of exciting prizes, and a dedicated art raffle showcasing work from local community artists.
Following the main event, celebrations will continue with an after-party at Stacja Dom Polski Bedford, Ashburnham Road MK40 1DS (next to Bedford Train Station).
Sunday, 3 May 2026
Walking: “Bedford’s South Bank Show” 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 settlement south of the River Great Ouse is attributed in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in 915 to King Edward the Elder. During the latter half of the 20th Century, the south of Bedford changed dramatically as modern development took place.
This walk reveals the medieval past and the more recent lost industry, buildings, public houses and the importance of Bedford’s South Bank to the development of the town.
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.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WALK CROSSES UNDER A LOW BRIDGE OF 4’ 9” HEIGHT TWICE EN ROUTE.
Sunday, 3 May 2026
Local history: Walking Tour
The Panacea Museum @ 1.30pm – 3pm
Free drop-in / No need to book
Adrian has volunteered at the Panacea Museum for over a decade and is a regular guide at Foster Hill Road Cemetery. In this walk and talk, he draws on his many years of research and shares his deep knowledge about the Panacea Society, its history and members.
If you enjoy a historical deep-dive, this tour is for you. Please meet at the museum reception.
Sunday, 3 May 2026
Live music: The KPop Live theatre show
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 3pm & 6.30pm
Tickets: £29.50
Step into the dazzling world of K-POP — where every comeback hits harder, every choreo is next level, and every stage is pure daebak.
This isn’t your average concert. It’s a high-energy, full-throttle tribute to the idols, the anthems, and the fandoms that turned a genre into a global movement. From Seventeen, Blackpink, and BTS, to the smash-hit film K-Pop: Demon Hunters, it’s a celebration of the visuals, the vocals, and the bias-wrecking moments fans live for.
Expect jaw-dropping choreo, stage-ready visuals, fanchants, and bops that hit different. Whether you’re a longtime stan or just discovering your ult group, this is your chance to go full K-pop mode. K-pop took over the world — now it’s your turn to feel the saranghae.
Sunday, 3 May 2026
Live music: A Drink For Sid
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
It’s that time of year when Esquires hosts its annual Sunday Afternoon Session to pay tribute to Bedford’s Mr Music ‘Sid Worth’.
Sid’s old band, ‘The A Band’, will be hosting and introducing some special guests too – rock on, Sid.
Sunday, 3 May 2026
Poetry and Prose: The Read Poets Society
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 ‘Fings ain’t Wot They Used to Be’. This monthly event takes place at The Eagle Bookshop in St Peter’s Street.
Sunday, 3 May 2026
Live music: Professor Elemental + Mr B The Gentlemen Rhymer + Thomas Benjamin Wild Esq
Bedford Esquires @
Tickets: £15
It’s a chap-hop face-off. Professor Elemental returns to Bedford, with Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer and local hero, Thomas Benjamin Wild Esq. in tow.
Spiffing.
Sunday, 3 May 2026
Live music: The Dekkertones
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14
The DekkerTones are a nine-piece Ska/Reggae/Rocksteady/2Tone covers band playing authentic Ska and Reggae from the late 60’s Trojan and Bluebeat scene right through to the 2Tone era.
Packing out venues around the region, this mighty warhorse of Ska and Reggae plays a set of over two hours, getting the party started in the room every time, and for lovers of that music, this is a night not to be missed.
Monday, 4 May 2026
The John Bunyan Community Boat: Cream Tea Cruise
From Priory Marina @ 2pm
Tickets: £30 / £22.50
A two-hour cruise from Priory Marina with a traditional cream tea included in your ticket.
Get £2 off every ticket by entering SPRING26 at the checkout.
Tuesday, 5 May 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 Augustin Irving (lute).
This is a special recital to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Dowland’s death.
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Opera: RGO screening – Eugene Onegin
Stevington Cinema Club Stevington Village Hall, MK43 7QT@ 5.30pm
Tickets: £17
The Met’s evocative production, directed by Tony Award–winner Deborah Warner, “offers a beautifully detailed reading of … Tchaikovsky’s lyrical romance” (The Telegraph).
Wednesday, 6 May 2026
Walking: “Plaques and Plinths” 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)
Have you ever wondered about the stories behind some of the blue plaques that adorn several buildings around the town or wanted to know more about some of the statues and monuments that grace the town centre? This walk will reveal the stories behind the Plaques & Plinths and why such recognition is warranted.
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.
Thursday, 7 May 2026
Local history: Bunyan in Stained Glass
Bunyan Meeting Church @ 7pm
This talk by Jasmine Allen, the director and curator of the Stained Glass Museum in Ely, explores some of the many images of John Bunyan and his literary works in stained glass windows, including portraits of Bunyan and imagery inspired by The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Thursday, 7 May 2026
Live music: Aircooled + Guests
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £5 – £15
Aircooled pulls off the rare trick of making music that thrills ravers as much as it does heads. From warm, enveloping kraut-rock to spiralling, glossy space odysseys and pure-hearted pop, it’s disco music for smart people, party music for retired ravers.
Thursday, 7 May 2026
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, 8 May 2026
Talk: Noel Carrington and his Artists
The Higgins Bedford @ 2pm – 3pm
Tickets £7.75 per person, conc £6.20 | Booking Essential
Join exhibition curator, Joe Pearson, to learn more about the artists Carrington worked with, including Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, Stanley Roy Badmin, Enid Marx, Hilary Stebbing and Suzanne Einzig.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Art & creativity: Bedford Art Society Meeting
Putnoe Heights Church, MK41 8EB @ 7.15pm for 7:30pm start
Barry Herniman will be demonstrating how to sketch with Fude bent nib pens.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Comedy: Alex McAleer
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £16
Alex McAleer possesses the uncanny ability to apparently tap into his audience’s minds and read their thoughts at will – whether it’s at sold-out shows at the Edinburgh Festival or on one of his international award-nominated tours.
Alex combines mind-blowing moments with sharp wit, making it interactive, engaging, and laugh-out-loud funny.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Live music: Fidget and the Twitchers + Akkat Attack + The Allsorts
St Cuthbert’s Hall @ 7pm
Tickets: £10
Fidget and the Twitchers are a hyperactive, anti-fascist, offbeat festival-core skapunk band from Bristol, heading to Bedford this month. Akkat Attak are a Newcastle punk band, playing alongside The Allsorts, a band from the Living It Up performing arts centre made up of adults with learning disabilities.
If you require an essential companion ticket please email events@lovelivingitup.org to request a discount code. You will be able to add this at checkout to make the companion ticket free.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Live music: Luke Combs UK
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £26.50
Get ready to experience the heart and soul of country music, paying homage to one of the genre’s biggest stars. A night of incredible songs, authentic Southern vibes, and a whole lot of boot-stomping fun.
With sold-out shows up and down the UK and Ireland, Luke Combs UK does not disappoint. The image of Luke Combs and, more importantly that North Carolina Country vocal and sound are on full display in this incredible show, with a jaw-dropping closeness to the real thing.
The live five-piece band perform all of Luke’s hits and fan favourites from across all of his albums and continues to wow audiences who come for their Country fix.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Live music: The Rezillos
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £27.50
The Rezillos are a punk/new wave band formed in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1976. Their independent debut single, ‘I Can’t Stand My Baby’, initially shot them to underground fame via airplay on BBC Radio 1’s John Peel show.
Their follow-up classic singles, ‘My Baby Does Good Sculptures’, ‘Top of the Pops’ and ‘Destination Venus’ signalled critically acclaimed milestones for the band.
The Rezillos recorded their landmark album ‘Can’t Stand the Rezillos’ in New York’s fabled Power Station studio, immersed themselves in the local music scene and dropped in during downtime to play a gig at CBGB’s, the hub of New York’s punk scene. The album reached the top 10 in the UK album chart and is lauded as a punk classic.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Classical music: Organ 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 organ recital by John Wearmouth (Leighton Buzzard).
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Live music: The Elvina Duo
St Andrews Church, Kimbolton Road @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14 / under 18s Free
The Elvina Duo is comprised of award-winning harpist, Mared Pugh-Evans, named King’s Harpist in 2024, and Katie Sazanova (flute, sax, clarinet), a multi-instrumentalist based in Hertfordshire.
Founded on a love of performing to diverse audiences throughout the community, the duo combines classical training with a modern twist and are known for their engaging programmes, incorporating well-known pieces which surprise and delight audiences.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Live music: Gwenno
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20
Gwenno Saunders is a musician and producer with over 25 years’ experience, releasing two EPs, four solo albums, and two albums with indie-pop group The Pipettes.
She won the Welsh Music Prize (2015) for her debut solo album Y Dydd Olaf and was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize (2022) for Tresor. Her work also includes composing for theatre and film, including new scores for The Caucasian Chalk Circle and the film Bait.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Music: The Lincoln Noel Four
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £18
Back by popular demand, Lincoln Noel returns with his band to The Place Theatre.
The Lincoln Noel Four brings together some of the UK’s best musicians to create an evening filled with joy, passion, and musical excellence.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Live music: Thank You For The Music
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £30
Calling all Dancing Queens, this is your night to say, Thank you for the Music…
This international smash-hit tribute show brings all of ABBA’s number one hits to the stage in a production like no other. The hugely popular show, now in its 20th year, with a brand-new show for 2026, combines the unmistakable harmonies, colourful costumes, and dazzling performances by the all-star cast.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Walking: “Bedford’s Movers and Shakers” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at St Loyes, opposite Bedford Prison
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
You will know of the ‘mugshot’, but did you know it was first introduced into the criminal justice system by Robert Evan Roberts, a reforming governor of Bedford Prison in Victorian times? Join us on this walk and meet Roberts and others who made a difference in Bedford and in the world; an astronomer, a polar explorer, the first woman county councillor and discover how some of the most attractive private dwellings in Bedford came to grace this area of town.
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.
N.B. Please note that this walk starts from St Loyes, opposite Bedford Prison.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Shop local: Bedford Flea, Affordable Art & Local Produce Market
Harpur Square @ 10am – 3pm
Now in its new home on Harpur Square, Bedford Flea is the perfect way to spend a chilled-out Sunday. Browse the antiques and collectables, find some locally made art, and grab a snack, lunch, or treat from local producers.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Family fun: Crafternoon
The Higgins Bedford @ 2pm – 4pm
Free / drop-in, no booking necessary
Local artist, Marisa Stracia, is hosting a free Crafternoon at The Higgins, making kingfisher finger puppets.
Once you’ve made your puppet, visit the Noel Carrington ‘Nothing Need Be Ugly’ exhibition to see how R B Talbot Kelly used paper engineering in their children’s books by Puffin to make 3D animals.
Sunday 10 & Thursday 14 May 2026
NT Live screening: The Audience
The Quarry Theatre @ 2pm (10 May) 7pm (14 May)
Tickets: £15.50
Returning to cinemas for the first time in over a decade, NTLive presents Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in the award-winning hit production, directed by Stephen Daldry.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Live music: Cheap Thrill$ play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
A female-fronted, four-piece classic rock, rhythm & blues band from Bedford, UK, playing Esquires for the first time in 2026.
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Live music: The Hoosiers
Bedford Esquires @ 7pm
Tickets: £20
Esquires and the best record shop in the land (that’s Slide Record Shop to you) have teamed up to bring a very special ‘out store’ show with The Hoosiers – their first ever time at the venue. Known for hits like “Worried About Ray” and “Goodbye Mr A,” their debut album The Trick to Life (2007) reached No.1 in the UK, blending quirky lyrics with catchy melodies.
This show is not to be missed.
At the Higgins Bedford
Exhibition: Noel Carrington: Nothing Need Be Ugly
The Higgins Bedford @ extended until 2 September
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 20th-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 @ 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 membersh
