What’s on Bedford: 29 October – 9 November 2025

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, 29 October 2025

Children’s Theatre: Maisie and the Misfortune Teller
The Place Theatre @ 11am
Tickets: from £7.50

A poster for Maisie and the Misfortune Teller featuring Kaye dressed in a flamboyant hat and holding a crystal ball

Join Maisie as she encounters a mysterious Fortune Teller (and companion cat) who helps her turn her bad luck into good!

This charming storytelling show combines handmade puppets and props with an original text, all created and performed by local performing artist Kaye Mahoney (aka Kaye Leidoskope).

The show will run for 25 minutes and Kaye will also host a finger puppet-making workshop before the show, so that the audience can join in!

Suitable for ages four plus.


Wednesday, 29 October 2025

Guided Walk: ‘The Jewel in Bedford’s Crown’
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the What’s On Hub on Silver Street
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)

Drone photo of the Bedford Dragon Boat Race on the River Great Ouse. Image: Harvey Greenwood - Greenwood Drones
Drone photo of the Bedford Dragon Boat Race on the River Great Ouse. Image: Harvey Greenwood – Greenwood Drones

The Jewel in Bedford’s Crown is undoubtedly the River Great Ouse and its Embankment. This entertainig and informative circular walk takes you along the banks of the river, which has been described as one of the finest riverside settings in England. Learn the story of the Victorian Embankment development and enjoy a walk in the ornamental gardens.

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.


Wednesday, 29 October 2025

Quiz: A1 SpeedQuizzing
The Cellar Bar @ 8pm   Bar opens at 7pm
£3pp to enter the quiz

Cellar Bar speed quizzing - no pens, no paper, no cheating!
Image: The Cellar Bar

Quiz nights will never be the same again as SpeedQuizzing comes to Bedford town centre.  Get your team of up to six players together and enjoy a fun, interactive night of entertainment hosted by Owen.

There’s a £60 bar tab to the winners and there is a rolling jackpot each week. Walk-ins are allowed on the night until the venue is full.  Reserve your table online and get a 20 point head start.


Thursday, 30 October 2025

Children’s Poetry: A Noise Annoys
The Place Theatre @ 2pm
Tickets: from £10

The poet Jude Simpson is pictured holding a guitar against a collage background

“A Noise Annoys” is a poetry show for all the senses!  It features rhymes, noises, songs, surprises and lots of audience interaction.  Bursting with joyful humour and witty wordplay, Jude takes the audience on a mind-bending journey through the sounds of language and the language of sounds.  There is lots of joy, a healthy dose of nonsense, and a few heartfelt moments of beautiful hush.  

Using poems, puns, tongue-twisters, quirky props and a trusty guitar, Jude finds the joy and annoyance in the things we hear, asking:  Is it a noise that’s annoying, or the person making it?  Do pingers ever ding?  If you had a pet badger, what would you call it?  This show will engage children with the spoken and written word, and leave them full of joy at the possibilities of language.  

Jude Simpson writes and performs joyful comedy, combining quirky observational humour with poetry, wordplay and song.  The result is a warm, witty and uplifting act, with wide appeal and a strong feel-good factor. 

“Jude Simpson is funny, sharp, emotional in her work and is a terrific performer” – Michael Rosen


Friday, 31 October 2025

Family friendly: Light Party 
St Leonard’s Church Centre, Victoria Road, Bedford, MK42 9JS @ 4pm – 5.30pm
Free of charge (voluntary contribution welcome) 

Poster for St John's and St Leonards's Light Party

Free of charge fun for all the family at St Leonards Centre on Victoria Road for their alternative Hallowe’en “Light Party” with various crafts and games for children, plus food and drink and lot’s of fun.

A safe, community-focused event for children to enjoy, celebrating an alternative to Hallowe’ens darker themes. Children are welcome to come along dressed in bright colours or casual attire, and all are welcome. Parking available on site, the party will run from 4pm until 5.30pm.


Friday, 31 October 2025

Live music: Halloween Special
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / Bar opens at 6pm / Happy hour @ 6pm – 9pm
Free entry

Lord Baker ska singer holding a vintage microphone

An incredible Soul and Ska show that will get you dancing from the first song; Lord Baker really knows how to entertain, and you will not be disappointed.

The Cellar Bar is where the Halloween Party is at this spooky season. The venue is decorated, special cocktails and shots are on the menu and there are prizes for best dressed on Wednesday, 22 October, Friday, 31 October and Saturday, 1 November.


Friday, 31 October 2025

Dance music: Silent Disco | Halloween Edition
Bedford Esquires @ 9pm
Tickets: £8 – £10

A person dressed as a ghost in a white sheet wearing headphones

Halloween on an actual Friday!?!?! Spooky scenes…

The ever-popular Halloween Silent Disco is back. As always, the club will be looking frightening, with prizes for the best and worst dressed on offer, so make an effort!

Three singalong channels of brat pop, brit pop, hip hop, dance cheese and indie sleaze…


Friday, 31 October 2025

Cultural Event: Black History Month Celebration
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Free, but please prebook via the Place website

Cultural Roots Sound System Museum

Join the celebration of Cultural Root’s Black History Month Exhibition. The evening will feature Cultural Roots Sound and Light and a host of DJs. Free entry and all are welcome.

Tickets are free but you do need to pre-book your ticket in advance.


Friday, 31 October 2025

Live music: Ska-loween Party by Who Stung Sting
The Castle, Newnham Street @ 7.30pm
Free entry

The lineup of Who Stung Sting

An evening of spooky fun singing Reggae and Ska covers. Free entry as always.


Saturday, 1 November 2025

Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Meet at Wilstead, MK45 3DB @ 10am (morning ramble)
Meet at Wilstead, MK45 3DB @ 1pm

Members of the North Beds Ramblers group walking through a leafy forest

Two walks in Wilstead this Saturday; firstly a leisurley morning ramble of 4.5 miles at 10am. The afternoon walk is a six-miler, walking south of the village towards Haynes.


Saturday, 1 November 2025

Live music: The Herbaliser Band + Guests
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £25

Members of the band Herbaliser

Way back in 1995, Ollie Teeba and Jake Wherry, AKA The Herbaliser, released their debut 12” single ‘The Real Killer’ on UK label Ninja Tune. The Herbaliser Band (which would count among its members the likes of Easy Access, Chris Bowden and Kaidi Tatham) continued touring internationally and are now back after a brief hiatus.


Saturday, 1 November 2025

Comedy: Jokes and Laffs
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15

Comedian Peter Francis
Comedian Peter Francis

Jokes and Laffs is back for Autumn 2025, featuring a stellar line-up of comedy acts.

Peter Francis, a dynamic comic with a fresh voice captivates audiences who crave bold and authentic humour. He fills the gap in the comedy scene with honest and raw observations that challenge the norms of conventional stand-up.

Samantha is the sassy, stand-up mum of six Millennials/Gen Zers. Her comedy career kicked off about six years ago, after three decades as an accountant and single mum. Now she’s been freed from the city, she’s really hit her stride, as a truly original act who’s progressing fast on the circuit.


Saturday, 1 November 2025

Screening: Frankenstein Unchained
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £12

Poster for Frankenstein Unchained

An interactive trip thru the world of Mary Shelley’s classic story, featuring live narration by Madeline Smith, star of such films as Frankenstein And The Monster From Hell (with Peter Cushing), Taste The Blood Of Dracula (with Christopher Lee)and the James Bond film Live And Let Die, and a new original soundtrack, performed live-to-picture to underline and support the story, by composer Jason Frederick.


Saturday, 1 November 2025

Live music double header: Cameo & Five Five Six
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / bar opens at 6pm / Happy Hour @ 6pm – 9pm
Free entry

A black and white photo of singer Cameo with a red filter over it

They are back! First up, Cellar Bar favourite Cameo is back for another solo performance, so expect a beautiful voice and some cracking party tunes!  Singing classic rock/pop songs from Dolly Parton to Fleetwood Mac to The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and so much in between, be ready for a party.

Second up, Five Five Six, and if you haven’t seen them at The Cellar Bar before, you are in for a treat. Get ready for a great night of legendary rock tunes. 


Last chance to see…

Until Sunday, 2 November

Exhibition: Colour and Light
The Higgins Bedford until 2 November 2025
Free entry

Alison Goodyear's film Light and Colour as part of the Colour and Light exhibition at the Higgins Bedford. Image: The Higgins Bedford
Alison Goodyear’s film Light and Colour as part of the Colour and Light exhibition at the Higgins Bedford. Image: The Higgins Bedford

Don’t miss your last chance to see the marvellous Colour and Light exhibition at the Higgins Bedford, featuring art from the 18th century right up to the present day, exploring the fascinating relationship between Colour and Light.

Read: Exhibition: ‘Colour and Light’ illuminates The Higgins Bedford

The exhibition will showcase works from The Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection, including iconic pieces by JMW Turner, John Singer Sargent, Sonia Delaunay, Peter Blake, and Chila Kumari Singh Burman.

Colour and Light also features a specially commissioned artwork by Bedford-based artist Alison Goodyear, entitled ‘Light & Colour’, as featured on the front cover of the February issue of the Bedford Clanger. This immersive digital experience, created in collaboration with four Bedford community groups, is inspired by the works in the exhibition.


Sunday, 2 November 2025

Live music: Sunday Chillout Afternoon Session – Samantha Hughes plays 50’s & 60’s
The Cellar Bar @ 5pm / bar opens @ 3pm / Happy Hour @ 3pm – 9pm
Free entry

Samantha Hughes playing the guitar and singing into a microphone

Enjoy an afternoon of 50s and 60s classics performed by Samantha Hughes. Expect standards from Connie Francis, Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee, Dusty Springfield, Buddy Holly, The Chiffons and many, many more.

So don those petticoats, grab those rollers, fish out those full circle dresses/skirts, dust down those drape jackets, polish those saddle shoes and come jive and twist the afternoon away at the Cellar Bar.


Sunday, 2 November 2025

Live music: Devil’s Mojo play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry

Members of Devil's Mojo

Devil’s Mojo promise a great Sunday Afternoon session, featuring energetic, eclectic, contemporary and rock / pop covers.


Monday, 3 November 2025

Talk: From the Physical to the Digital – The Resilience of Printmaking
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Free entry

The Quarry Theatre is the location for much of the Bedfringe programme. It is pictured with lots of bright pink Bedringe posters on its railings.
The Quarry Theatre bedecked with Bedfringe posters. Image: Bedfringe

Printmaking has been central to Paul Coldwell’s art practice for more than four decades.

In this talk, Paul will explore the importance of printmaking as a means of spreading radical ideas and challenging attitudes, both within his own work and through artists such as Durer, Hokusai, Picasso, Morandi, Warhol and Banksy.


Tuesday, 4 November 2025

Classical music: Lunchtime recital
St Paul’s church, St Paul’s Square @ 1pm
Free with retiring collection

The two members of Cornwall Kim Lute Duo

Step into the beautiful surroundings of St Paul’s church to enjoy a free lunchtime concert. This week’s performance is a recital by the Cornwall Kim Lute Duo.


Tuesday, 4 November 2025

Film: Four Mothers
University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Avenue
Tickets: Annual membership £70 / day member £5

The cast of Four Mothers

An author is saddled with caring for his mother after she suffers a stroke. His plans for a book tour are thrown into disarray when three more elderly women arrive on his doorstep in Dublin.


Wednesday, 5 November 2025

Quiz: A1 SpeedQuizzing
The Cellar Bar @ 8pm   Bar opens at 7pm
£3pp to enter the quiz  

Cellar Bar speed quizzing - no pens, no paper, no cheating!
Image: The Cellar Bar

Quiz nights will never be the same again as SpeedQuizzing comes to Bedford town centre.  Get your team of up to six players together and enjoy a fun, interactive night of entertainment hosted by Owen.

There’s a £60 bar tab to the winners and there is a rolling jackpot each week. Walk-ins are allowed on the night until the venue is full.  Reserve your table online and get a 20 point head start.


Opens Thursday, 6 November 2025

Exhibition: Stanny’s Stus: Images of Bedford Physical Training College  
Sir William Harpur Gallery, The Higgins Bedford
Free entry

1903 student with water wings. Image The Higgins Bedford
1903 student with water wings. Image The Higgins Bedford

In 1903, Margaret Stansfeld founded the Bedford Physical Training College, an all-female institution located on Lansdowne Road. Locally, its students and staff were affectionately known as ‘Stanny’s Stus.’ Many of them were enthusiastic photographers who captured their everyday experiences, documenting aspects of sport, leisure, and teaching in Bedfordshire.

These photographs offer valuable insights into the social and sporting lives of women in the early 20th century, exhibited publicly for the first time outside of their home at the University of Bedfordshire.


Thursday, 6 – Saturday, 15 November 2025

Festivals: Being Human Festival
The Higgins Bedford and The Panacea Museum
Free entry

The Being Human Festival 2025 logo

Being Human is the UK’s national festival of the humanities and aims to connect researchers in the humanities to produce events with local communities to share ideas and knowledge.

The theme for 2025 is Between the Lines, a space of hidden histories, shifting borders and unspoken meanings. In partnership with the University of Bedfordshire, The Higgins Bedford and the Panacea Museum will be offering a wide range of events, including creative workshops and talks.


Thursday, 6 November 2025

Lunchtime talk: In Her Own Words
The Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd, MK40 3NX @ 1pm – 2pm
Free entry

Mabel Barltrop reading. Image The Panacea Museum
Mabel Barltrop reading. Image: The Panacea Museum

Professor James Crossley from the University of Cambridge will be discussing the women writers of the Panacea Society, and delving into their reading habits.panaceamuseum.org/events


Thursday, 6 November 2025

Christmas crafts: Make your own candles with The Ampthill Alchemist
The Arc, Howard Street (under Lurke St car park) @ 6pm – 9pm
Tickets: £49

A festive candle next to some fairy lights
Image: Ampthill Alchemist

Whether you’re crafting a thoughtful gift or simply embracing the season’s spirit, these workshops offer a joyful, hands-on experience with a touch of festive magic. You’ll leave with two bespoke candles, a new skill, and a lovely memory of time well spent.


Thursday, 6 November 2025

Comedy: Kerry Godliman – Bandwidth
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20/£18

Comedian Kerry Godliman

While parenting teenagers, bogged down with knicker admin and considering dealing HRT on the black market, Kerry​’s lost her mum bag but can’t remember what was in it as she’s outsourced her memory to her phone. The life of a middle aged woman who ​hasn’t got the bandwidth ​for any of this.

Kerry Godliman, comedian, actor, writer, podcaster and broadcaster, returns to the stage with her straight-talking charm and quick wit on a brand new stand-up show. As seen on Afterlife, Whitstable Pearl, Taskmaster, Trigger Point, Live At The Apollo and more. As heard on Radio 4 and Jon Richardson’s Absolute Radio Show.

Very few tickets remaining, so snap them up while you can.


Thursday, 6 November 2025

Karaoke: Karaoke
The Cellar Bar @ 8pm / doors open 6pm / Happy Hour 6pm – 9pm
Free entry

A karaoke microphone
Image: Pixabay

Sarah and Cameo host the only place for karaoke on a Thursday night on Bedford High Street. Choose from over 60,000 songs and sing like a pro with the Cellar Bar’s professional lighting, sound and stage. 

Sing with your friends using multiple microphones and it’s two for £12 on cocktails all night.


Thursday, 6 November 2025

Quiz: Esquires’ monthly music quiz
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm
£2 per person/maximum of six per team

Esquires music quiz poster featuring two cartoon milk cartons

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.


Thursday, 6 November 2025

Live music: Irish Folk Night
The Castle, Newnham Street @ 8.30pm
Free entry

A black and white photograph of musician Samantha Hughes playing the banjo at a traditional Irish music night at the Castle pub in Bedford
Samantha Hughes. Image: Iaroslava Ershova

Head to The Castle for some more classic Irish tunes to get your feet tapping and the craic flowing. 


Friday, 7 November 2025

Family fun: Puggle Club – creative activities for Early Years (age 5 and under)
The Higgins Bedford @ 10.30am – 12pm / 1pm – 2.30pm
Free

Puggle Club logo of a platypus holding a pencil and covered in paint splashes

A chance to get creative, have fun, and socialise! It’s a free drop-in activity, so no need to book, just pop in any time and stay for as long as you like. Please be aware that some activities might not be suitable for children under 36 months. Children must be accompanied by an adult, come and join in the fun.

All activities are subject to availability, if the room is getting a bit full, we might ask you to wait until there is space.


Friday, 7 November 2025

Bonfire Night: Fireworks display & funfair
Bedford Blues ground, Goldington Road @ 6pm
Tickets: £8.50, under 6s free

Fireworks exploding in the sky at the Blues' fireworks night
Image: Bedford Blues

Bedford’s biggest and brightest night is back! The much-loved Fireworks at the Blues returns to Goldington Road for an unforgettable evening of sparkling displays, family fun and festive atmosphere.

Gates open at 6pm with the funfair, food stalls and bars ready to keep everyone entertained. The children’s display lights up the sky at 7pm, followed by the spectacular main show at 8pm from Firemagic, guaranteed to dazzle with rockets, Catherine wheels and colour galore.

Enjoy hot food, music, London Scottish V Blues on TV screens and all the family fun you could want at Bedford’s favourite annual fireworks night.

Hospitality packages with premium views and dinner are also available in the Dovecote and Burrow at the Blues. Book tickets online here for discounted entry.


Friday, 7 November 2025

Live music: The Birthday Massacre + Lesbian Death Bed
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £22

Members of Canadian group The Birthday Massacre

The Birthday Massacre is a Canadian synth-rock band formed in 1999, originally called Imagica. Their music is a dark and atmospheric fusion of electronic, goth, and new wave, incorporating elements of 80s synth-pop, industrial, and darkwave, often creating a unique “post-retro” sound.

Their songs are known for blending distorted guitars with melodic vocals and synths, and their themes frequently draw from fantasy and children’s fiction. 


Friday, 7 November 2025

Live Music:  The Krakens  
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / doors open at 6pm until late / Happy Hour 6pm – 9pm / Late close
Free entry

A black and white photo of the band The Krakens

The Krakens are back!  This four-piece band will be covering a variety of rock songs through the ages, including classics from Elton John, Queen, Nirvana and more…


Friday, 7 November 2025

Live music: Ferocious Dog + Voodoo Radio
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £23

The six members of Ferocious Dog

Ferocious Dog are a six-piece band who deal in a vibrant vein of Celtic-folk infused punk rock, comfortably slotting in between Billy Bragg and The Levellers.

However, like The Levellers and New Model Army (also listed as an influence), Ferocious Dog have a broad spectrum of influences, tied together by the band’s left-leaning convictions and a shared desire to communicate through music.


Saturday, 8 November 2025

Christmas Crafts: Wreath making
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd, MK40 3NX @ 11am – 1pm
Tickets: £8/person

A Christmas wreath. Image: Pixabay
A Christmas wreath. Image: Pixabay

Join local artist Anne-Marie Abbate for Christmas wreath making, using foliage from the Museum Gardens. Limited to 10 people – please note everyone attending needs a ticket, and extra people who have not booked can’t be admitted on the day.
Booking @ tickettailor.com/events/panaceamuseum/1890809


Saturday, 8 November 2025

Christmas Crafts: Lanterns drop-in
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd, Bedford, MK40 3NX @ 1pm – 2.30pm
Free drop-in event 

Festive lanterns made from old baby food jars

Join local artist Anne-Marie Abbate to make festive lanterns.


Saturday, 8 November 2025

Creative writing: Mental Health and Wellbeing Fiction Writing Workshop
The Higgins Bedford @ 2pm – 4pm
Free event, booking essential

Handwriting in a note book

Join writer and researcher Lydia Parker for a creative workshop focusing on stories of mental health and how storytelling can help us understand ourselves and others.

You’ll have an opportunity to create storyboards through writing, drawing and collage. Please note that due to the content of the workshop, this event is for young people and adults aged 18 and over.


Saturday, 8 November 2025

Dance music: The 2pm Club – 80s, 90s and 00s
Bedford Esquires @ 2pm – 5pm
Tickets: £11

The poster for the 2pm Club - 80s, 90s and 00s daytime disco

The ultimate Daytime Disco is back, bigger, brighter, and cheekier than ever. Four hours of wall-to-wall bangers, a full club atmosphere, and all the guilty pleasures you’re not meant to admit you love — but we absolutely demand you lose your voice to…


Saturday, 8 November 2025

Comedy: Mark Watson – Before It Overtakes Us
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £22.50

Comedian Mark Watson leaning against a brick wall

20 years in stand-up for the ‘Taskmaster’ cheeky texts icon, multi-award-winner, YouTube cult figure, Radio 4 favourite and recently ‘Baby Reindeer’ actor: Watson returns after seasons at the Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Edinburgh comedy festivals.

A recent encounter with a stranger caused Mark to spend some time pondering the uncertain future facing humanity. He explores this – along with equally pressing matters like the worst word he has ever said in public, the current state of the UK sausage industry, and much more – in a typically frantic and fun-packed new show.


Saturday, 8 November 2025

Live music: GONG
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm
Tickets: £20

The members of the band GONG

The ever-metamorphosing entity that is GONG began in a French commune in 1967 and has endured through the Virgin Records years, mismanagement, court cases, break-ups and re-joinings, deaths and rebirths.

Gong’s musically diverse world includes shades of psychedelia, space rock, jazz, avant-garde, krautrock and surreal soundscapes.


Saturday, 8 November 2025

Live Music: Double Header – Katherine G Sefton & Tie One On
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm
Free entry

A black and white photo of Katherine Sefton singing into a microphone

After some incredible performances previously at The Cellar Bar, Tie One On will be rocking the venue once again.

They are a rock/ blues band with a vast amount of live experience, whether it is large festivals or pubs/ clubs. With Katherine G Sefton supporting, it’s sure to be a great night of fantastic music.


Saturday, 8 November 2025

Live music: Elton John – a tribute
Addison Centre, Kempston, MK42 8PN @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £17.50

Elton John tribute act, Rocket Max, in costume and playing the piano

Live music returns to the Addison Centre when the amazing Rocket Max performs the greatest hits of one of Britain’s most loved entertainers – the one and only Elton John. 

Rocket Max is a live, internationally touring stage show featuring Max Anthony on piano/vocals with Alex Scheuerer on guitar/vocals, Craig Ferguson on bass/vocals and Paul Townsend on drums/vocals.  Expect to hear such favourites as ‘Your Song’, ‘Crocodile Rock’, ‘I’m Still Standing’ and of course ‘Rocket Man’.  


Sunday, 9 November 2025

Shopping: Bedford Flea, Affordable Art & Local Produce Market 
St Paul’s Square, Bedford @ 10am till 3pm
Free

Collectibles and vintage items at Bedford Flea

Bedford Flea is finally back in its spiritual home, just in time to kick off your Christmas shopping. Head to St Paul’s Square for the Flea combo of antiques, vintage and collectables, plus affordable art and some delicious local produce. Live music sponsored by The Cellar Bar.

Arrive early to avoid disappointment.


Sunday, 9 November 2025

Creative writing: Everyday Icons – Poetry Workshop
The Higgins Bedford @ 2.15pm – 4.15pm
Free workshop, booking essential (age 18+)

Poet Katie O'Pray

In this workshop, poet Katie Allen will help participants consider the idols each of us has, hidden in plain sight. You’ll think about the people who lead us in subtle, unnamed ways every day, often slipping past recognition; people we look to as our personal superheroes, who are not super-human – who are imperfectly, endearingly, inescapably, miraculously human.

We will spend time reading and discussing source poems together and writing freely in response. The aims of this workshop are reflection, exploration, expression and connection. There will be no obligation to share your writing.


Sunday, 9 November 2025

Dance music: 80’s Daytime disco for Grown-Ups
The Cellar Bar @ 4pm – 11pm / Doors open @ 4pm
Free entry 

A close up image of disco glitter ball relecting on the surrounding room

It’s back! Sunday afternoon, and The Cellar Bar Daytime Disco is now going right through to 11pm, so you can dance and sing along to some of the greatest hits ever – and its all free.

The daytime disco is the perfect excuse to get out on a Sunday afternoon, and if you want to carry on partying well into the evening, you now can.

Indulge in an afternoon filled with nostalgic tunes, sing-alongs, and a great atmosphere. The glitterball will be up and the neon outfits on. 


Sunday, 9 November 2025

Live music: The Soho Dukes play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry

The Soho Dukes performing on stage

World-renowned, critically-acclaimed, electrically-powered, rascally rock ‘n’ roll.


Sunday, 9 November 2025

Live music: Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £22.50

Members of the band Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs against a graffiti background

Returning to the venue for the first time since their sold out show back in 2019, Pigs x 7 are guaranteed to bring the noise.

I’ve always liked the quote: “Sleep, those little slices of death – how I loathe them.” So reckons Matt Baty of Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, vocalist and lyricist of a band as comfortable wading through the darker quarters of their subconscious as they are punishing ampstacks.

Whether dwelling in the realm of dreams or nightmares, the primordial drive of the Newcastle, UK based band is more powerful than ever. 2023’s ‘Land Of Sleeper’, their fourth record in a decade of riot and rancour, is testimony to this: the sound of a band not so much reinvigorated as channelling a furious energy, which only appears to gather momentum as the band’s surroundings spin on their axis.

The better to unite slumber and waking, ‘Land Of Sleeper’ is no less than an act of transcendence for Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs – new anthems to elucidate a world sleepwalking to oblivion.


Exhibition: Edward Bawden – Printmaker
The Higgins Bedford until 26 April
Free entry

A Frog and an Ox by Edward Bawden
Edward Bawden Printmaker. Image: The Higgins Bedford

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 image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Panacea-Museum-Garden-of-Eden.jpg

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

A chess board set up in an outdoor location

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.

Explore more on these topics

Get the latest Bedford news first

Subscribe to our free daily email for our lead story each morning before we publish it anywhere else, plus the key Bedford Borough headlines from the last 24 hours – without having to log into social media.