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, 3 June 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.
Wednesday, 3 June 2026
NT Live screening: All My Sons
The Quarry Theatre @ 7pm
Tickets: from £10
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths) feature in a five-star, triumphantly acclaimed new production of Arthur Miller’s classic play, from visionary director Ivo Van Hove (A View from the Bridge). quarrytheatre.org.uk
Thursday, 4 June 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, 5 June 2026
Live music: Just Radiohead
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15
Just Radiohead are the UK’s leading Radiohead tribute band, replicating and performing the astonishing music of one of the nation’s most influential, versatile, and talented bands.
Showcasing tracks from the explosive post-grunge debut of ‘Pablo Honey’ through to the beautiful and most recent art-rock album release ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’, the band captures moments from a back catalogue now spanning four decades.
From Saturday, 6 June
Exhibition: Panacea – From and Inspired By
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd MK40 3NX @ Thurs – Sun 11am – 5pm
Free
A special new exhibition, featuring work created by the ‘Beds Urban Sketchers’ group, is inspired by the Panacea buildings and story.
There will be a mix of paintings, drawings and some textile and sculpture works.
Saturday, 6 June 2026
Live music: Ceremony 6
Bedford Esquires @ 1pm – 11pm
SOLD OUT
This month’s Ceremony is looking like a tantalising line-up for new-music-lovers, so it’s no surprise that it’s sold out. Keep an eye on Esquires’ socials in case of any return tickets…
Saturday, 6 – Sunday, 14 June 2026
Great Big Green Week: Events at Bedfordshire Libraries
Throughout Great Big Green Week, take part in nature-themed treasure hunts and Rhymetime sessions at all libraries in Bedford Borough.
Saturday, 6 June 2026
Great Big Green Week: Charity Plant Stall and BedsGOVET Sustainability Information Table
The Panacea Museum @ 11am – 4.30pm
Free
Panacea Museum volunteer, Valerie, grows, pots up, trims and waters this permanent plant stall in aid of Sue Ryder and Bedford Hospital’s Primrose Unit.
There will also be a Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust (BedsGOVET) information stall, outlining their monitoring of the River Great Ouse and exploring how river quality impacts biodiversity, the local economy, and community wellbeing.
Saturday, 6 and Sunday, 7 June 2026
Community: Eid Festival
Friday, 6 – Saturday, 7 June
Addison Howard Park @ 1pm – 8pm | Free
Since 2015, Bedford’s Muslim community has been celebrating Eid with a family-friendly and inclusive festival at Kempston’s Addison Howard Park.
What began as a small local gathering has grown into one of the largest Eid celebrations in the South East, attracting visitors from across the country, with some travelling from as far as Wales to be part of the celebrations.
Read: Bedford’s Eid Festival returns, bigger and better than ever
At this month’s event, visitors can expect over 75 stalls, serving everything from handmade bakes, clothing and artisan honey to international street food from a variety of cultures and cuisines. Alongside the food and shopping, there will be funfair rides, family entertainment, free football coaching sessions, a FIFA tournament, raffle prizes, on-stage competitions, a free activity zone and much more.
Entry is free, and there is ample on-site parking.
Visit the Instagram page @eidinbedford or eidinbedford.co.uk for more information
Saturday, 6 and Sunday, 7 June 2026
Art workshop: ‘Creative Joy in Nature’
Bedford Eid Festival, Kempston @ 1pm – 8pm (Sat) 10am – 6pm (Sun)
Free
Artist Anne-Marie Abbate will be at Bedford Eid Festival this month, running family-friendly art workshops to create butterflies and dragonflies, using tissue, willow, beads and light-catching sparkles.
Saturday, 6 June 2026
Comedy: Ian Stone is “looking for the Wow”
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20
Join the hugely successful broadcaster, podcaster, writer and comedian, Ian Stone ahead of his UK tour.
As well as performing at major comedy festivals and venues globally, his popular posts and reels on social media have quickly earned him a following of over 60k.
Sunday, 7 June 2026
Great Big Green Week: Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park
Bedford Park @ 10am – 7pm
Free
The ever-popular Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park returns, offering a free, accessible day of more than 20 yoga and wellness activities for all ages and abilities next to the Pavilion in Bedford Park.
Now in its ninth year, activities include laughter yoga, Reiki, cacao ceremonies, breathwork, Qigong, sound baths, SEND, women’s and family sessions, all led by qualified local instructors, with British Sign Language interpretation available at selected sessions.
For the full list of sessions, please visit bedford.gov.uk/yogaday
Sunday, 7 June 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 Bedford Tour Guides 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.
N.B. Please note that this walk starts from St Loyes, opposite Bedford Prison.
Sunday, 7 June 2026
Poetry: Read Poets Society
The Eagle Bookshop @ 7pm
Tickets: Free but please book via the Place website
Join the Swan Poetry Society for their monthly reading of poems reflecting the season. This month’s theme is Conversations.
This monthly event takes place at The Eagle Bookshop in St Peter’s Street.
Sunday, 7 June 2026
Live music: Tie One On play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Some good old Blues/R’n’B with the return of Tie One On at Esquires’ Sunday afternoon session. It’s drummer Alan Sefton’s birthday, so join in the celebrations.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Great Big Green Week: Mindful Nature Walk
Meet outside the Swan Hotel @ 6.15pm
Free
This month’s walk is all about appreciating nature in a relaxed way as part of The Great Big Green Week.
Things feel better outside, so take part in this gentle community walk and enjoy Bedford’s beautiful Embankment.
Previously known as Bedford Mindful Walks.
Tuesday, 9, June 2026
Great Big Green Week: Swap together for Good with QPCO
Khush Haal women’s group, Queen’s Park Community Centre MK40 4LF @ 10.30am – midday
Free
Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Great Big Green Week: Swap together for Good with QPCO
Bhagwan Valmik Mandir Community Centre MK42 9JB @ 1pm – 5pm
Free
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Great Big Green Week: Swap together for Good with QPCO
The Mount Zion Pentecostal Church, Midland Road MK40 1DW @ 10.30am – 12.30pm
Free
Pop along to the free drop-in sessions organised by the Queens Park Community Organisation as part of Great Big Green Week.
Contribute to the community’s own circular economy by taking part in the plant and seed swaps – bring a plant, take a plant – plus there will be learning sessions to discover how to start your own ‘grow your own’ journey.
Free entry and all are welcome, from beginners to green-fingered experts.
Tuesday, 9 June 2026
Gardens: Kathy Brown’s Garden
The Manor House, Church Road, Stevington MK43 7QB @ 10.30am – 1pm / 2pm – 4.30pm
Tickets: £11 / £5.50 | Booking required
Enjoy a guided walk around the beautiful gardens of the Manor House in Stevington, which have been created by Kathy Brown and her husband Simon over the last 30 years.
You can choose either a morning or afternoon slot, but numbers are limited to ensure the best visitor experience – and that there is enough cake!
Tuesday, 9 June 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 piano recital by Yuanwei Ping. Free with retiring collection.
Thursday, 11 June 2026
Live music: Aly Berry – a night of jazz
The Cellar Bar, 75 High Street @ 7pm
Tickets: £10
Named as ‘one of the UK’s most exciting rising jazz artists’, Aly’s smooth, sultry vocals and distinctive style have begun to quickly captivate audiences, bringing a whole new sound to the music scene.
Originally from the north of England, at 18 she moved to London to pursue careers in music and modelling. It wasn’t long before she found herself immersed in London’s Jazz scene and crossed paths with Paul Higgs, an accomplished jazz composer and musician.
What started as a creative partnership soon turned into a full-fledged musical project that culminated in the creation of Aly’s debut album, ‘Hope This Reaches You In Time’.
Aly was recently nominated for Jazz/Blues artist of the year 2025 at the Jools Holland Boisdale Awards.
Thursday, 11 June 2026
Life Drawing: Circus of Illustration and Castle Life Art present – Drag-themed life drawing session
Basement at Bunyan, Mill Street, MK40 3EU @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15 / £10 available from Eventbrite
Join the Circus of Illustration and Castle Life Art for a special drag-themed life drawing session starring the one and only Ginger Snaps. Expect stunning costumes, glam makeup and killer poses.
Friday, 12 June 2026
Live music: The Dogs D’Amour Ft Tyla
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £22.50
Famous appearances on Top of The Pops down to the requisite touring in a rusted out Transit van – but there have always been three constants: great songwriting, loyal fans and, of course, Tyla.
Their raunchy blues based rock and roll, the sense and feeling of romanticism remind one of Keith Richards or Ronnie Wood. They play real songs in their unique style. Meaningful lyrics and played with gusty guitar driven rhythm.
Friday, 12 June 2026
Live music: Chris Helme (The Seahorses)
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15
Chris Helme, the former frontman of The Seahorses, makes a very welcome return to Bedford as part of their singer-songwriter series for 2026.
After a busy year touring his last album, World of my Own, Chris has been back in the studio to record stripped back versions of some of his 30-year back catalogue. Expect a night of music that’s raw, soulful, and just a little bit bruised.
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Community: Bedford Repair Cafe
Project 229, Kempston MK42 8DA @ 10am – 3pm (last walk-in @ 2.30pm)
Free / donations welcome / no booking required
Turn up any time and queue for one free repair per household from the Repair Cafe’s team of friendly fixers.
Repairs on small household electrical items, bike maintenance, sewing and textile repair, woodwork and mechanical repairs.
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Art workshop: Riverside Birds
Project 229, Kempston MK42 8DA @ 10am – 1pm
Free / no booking required
As part of Bedford Creative Arts’ Nature Together in Kempston project, take part in this free, drop-in art workshop with artist Anne-Marie Abbate.
Alongside the Repair Café, help create a flock of beautifully decorated birds in the ‘Riverside Birds‘ workshop. No booking required!
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Great Big Green Week: Events at the Higgins
The Higgins Bedford @ 11am – 4pm
Free
As part of Great Big Green Week, visit the Higgins Bedford to learn new skills like whittling or wood carving, relax and unwind during Liz Burfield’s forest bathing and mindful doodling session, or explore nature on the smartphone discovery walk.
For younger audiences, Nature’s Playground will be running snail-themed crafts, dressing-up, stories and sensory play for children aged three to eight, and there will be information stands from community group Country Days, seed planting with Zesti Foundation and more.
Bedfordshire Natural History Society (BNHS) will be hosting a nature table and volunteers from The Higgins will be running a plant stall with a beautiful array of indoor and outdoor plants for sale.
Whittling Taster Session – 11am – 12.30, 1pm – 2.30pm and 3pm – 4pm
Booking Essential Suitable for adults and supervised children aged 10-plus.
Higgins Plant Stall 11am – 4pm
Suitable for all.
Country Days Nature Table 11am – 4pm
Suitable for all.
Zesti Foundation Seed Planting 11am – 4pm
Suitable for all.
BNHS (Bedford Natural History Society) Nature Table 11am – 4pm
Suitable for all.
Nature’s Playground 2pm – 4pm
Drop-in. Suitable for children aged three to eight.
Smartphone Discovery Walk 2-3.30pm
Booking Essential. Suitable for adults and supervised children aged 10-plus.
Canopy & Craft Taster Session 3- 4.30pm
Booking Essential. Suitable for adults.
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Great Big Green Week: Seed and Book Swap
John Bunyan Museum @ 10am – 2pm
Free
Good for the body and mind, the John Bunyan Museum is hosting a seed swap and book swap as part of its Great Big Green Week celebrations. There will also be children’s craft activities.
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Great Big Green Week: Craft Stash Swap
The Panacea Museum @ 11.30am – 3.30pm
Free
This is your chance to clear out any art and craft supplies you don’t want and swap for something you do. It’s completely free, and even if you don’t have anything to swap, you can still take home something inspiring.
Come along for a good crafty rummage.
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Classical music: Organ recital
St Paul’s church, St Paul’s Square @ noon
Free with retiring collection
An organ recital by Tim Campain (St Mary Magdelene, Coventry). Free with retiring collection.
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Morning walk meeting place: Wootton Village Hall, MK43 9EU @ 1.30pm
A six-and-a-half mile walk towards Cranfield.
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, 13 June 2026
Dance music: Herd Alldayer
Herd, St Cuthbert’s Street from 2pm
Tickets: £10 (early bird) – £25
Herd’s next All Dayer, is a celebration of 30 years of Freerange records. There will be a stellar line of label favourites, including the boss man Jimpster, Phillipa travelling over from Berlin and Matt Masters, who makes the excellent Freerange records radio show.
If you like proper house music, this is the day for you.
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Live music: General Levy
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm
Tickets: £20/£25
The ‘incredible’ General Levy is best known for being the voice of one of the most famous Jungle anthems ever, 1994’s Incredible, which went to number 8 in the UK Charts.
One of the most in-demand and distinctive MCs on the planet, Levy has been tearing up events for the last three decades, bringing an unparalleled energy to his sets.
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Live music: Bedford Town Band community concert
St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Road MK40 2PF @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14 / under 18s free cash or card on the door or online in advance (booking fee applies)
Bedford Town Band was established in 1894 and promotes traditional English brass banding and musical arts.
This month, Craig Patterson is conducting the group at the St Andrew’s Community Concert.
Sunday, 14 June 2026
Shopping: Bedford Flea, Affordable Art & Local Produce Market
Harpur Square @ 10am till 3pm
Free
The Flea fam is back on Harpur Square, with antiques, collectables, art, food, live music and more.
Let’s manifest some sunshine, and we’ll see you there…
Sunday, 14 June 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.
Sunday, 14 June 2026
Film: Milestone: Streets Paved with Gold
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 5pm
Tickets: prices vary
Milestone: Streets Paved with Gold is a powerful new film honouring the Windrush generation and the Caribbean migration experience in Britain.
Adapted from Victor Richards’ acclaimed one-man play, this 60-minute cinematic journey follows Augustus Cleveland Johnson from his 1948 arrival in England through decades of resilience, family, culture, and identity.
Blending voiceover, vivid recreations, and historical archives, the film immerses viewers in a heartfelt tribute to a generation that helped shape modern Britain. Filmed across Leicester and the Midlands, it’s a moving, sensory celebration of Caribbean-British heritage.
Sunday, 14 June 2026
Live music: The X-Certs play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free
The X-Certs will be playing new-wave and post Punk covers plus some classic 60’s and 70’s rock at the bar at Esquires.
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 membership.
