Welcome to our weekly what’s on guide for Bedford and the surrounding area from the Bedford Clanger.
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, 4 June 2025
Walking: “I Never Knew That” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the box office at the Harpur Suite, Harpur Square
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
“I Never Knew That”
The most commonly heard phrase after the completion of a Guided Walk. This Walk encompasses all that information about Bedford and its many features that YOU never knew!
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, 4 June 2025
Food and drink: AI and the Future of Food – Insights from Adam Starkey
Gastronomica, Colworth Science Park
Free
Join Adam Starkey, founder of Green Gourmet Ltd and Managing Director of Panelitix.ai, for an insightful lunch and learn session exploring the intersection of AI and food innovation. Discover how Adam’s pioneering work is helping businesses leverage AI for competitive advantage and gain a glimpse into the technologies shaping the future of food and beverage innovation.
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Live music: Karaoke
The Cellar Bar at 8pm
Free entry
The ONLY place you need to be for karaoke on a Thursday night – The Cellar Bar on the High Street. Pure karaoke with over 50,000 songs to choose from and two for £12 handmade cocktails all night.
Perform like a pro with the Cellar Bar’s professional lighting, sound and a proper stage, with the best-sounding performers and acoustics on the High Street. Sing with your friends using multiple microphones and hosted by Cameo and Sarah Ellen.
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Quiz: Esquires Monthly Music Quiz
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm
£2 per person / max six people per team
Brain cells at the ready, it’s Esquires music quiz and everyone’s welcome. Featuring music from the 50’s to the present, it’s £2 per person to enter with teams of up to a maximum of six people.
Cash prize for the winning team.
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Dancing: Planet Swing featuring The Untouchables
The Dance Hall, Wixams Retirement Village, Bedford Road, Bedford, MK42 6EA @ 8pm – 10.30pm
Tickets: £12.99
An evening for dancers and music enthusiasts alike. Cashless bar, plenty of seating (night club set up) and dance floor. Book in advance and come along at 7.15pm for a 45-minute dance class in Balboa, one of the original swing dances of the era. For the main event, just turn up – pay cash at reception – have fun, no booking needed.
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Live music: Irish Music Night
The Castle, 17 Newnham Street @ 8.30pm
Free entry
Great fun evening of foot tapping Irish tune to sing along to. The craic is sure to be mighty!
Friday, 6 June 2025
Great Big Green Week: 2 Minute Foundation Community Meet-up
Brewpoint Brewery Taproom @ 6.30pm
Free entry
Start the weekend with a relaxed evening at Brewpoint Taproom to find out more about the 2 Minute Foundation as part of this year’s Great Big Green Week.
Whether you’re part of a local community group, an environmental champion, or just curious, come along for drinks, nibbles, and meaningful conversations.
They’ll be sharing ideas and solutions – and listening to yours. Stick around for food and more fun if you’d like to make a night of it!
Friday, 6 June 2025
Live music: The Wildfire Trio
The Castle, 17 Newnham Street @ 8.30pm
Free entry
Making their debut at The Castle, Wildfire are an acoustic folk-rock trio from Bedford playing folk-rock and Americana covers.
Friday, 6 June 2025
Live music: Highstone
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm
Free entry
This four-piece band will be at The Cellar Bar this month, covering mostly 70’s and 80’s dance music mixed with a good smattering of sing-along hits too.
The perfect excuse to break out your dancing shoes to the sounds of Stevie Wonder, The Bee Gees, Chic, The Temptations, Kool & The Gang, Luther Vandross, Earth Wind & Fire, Santana and more.
Saturday, 7 – Saturday, 14 June 2025
Environment: Great Big Green Week
Various locations
Free
The Great Big Green Week is back in Bedford this June, with free events taking place from 7 – 14 June throughout the town centre.
Read: Bedford’s Great Big Green Week is back
Find out more about each of the events below.
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Great Big Green Week: Inspiration Action and a Clean-Up Mission
Rothsay Education Centre, Rothsay Gardens from 10.30am
Free
10:30am–1pm – Workshops & Talks
Informal, interactive sessions tackling plastics, climate change, and – most importantly – real-world solutions. Expect local heroes, engaging speakers, and collaborative energy.
1:00–2pm – Buffet Lunch
Take a breather, enjoy delicious food (on us), and connect with new friends.
2:00–3pm – Big Community Litter Pick
We’ll head to the Embankment and Russell Gardens for litter pick. All equipment provided.
3:00–4pm – Tea & Chats
Round off the day with a cuppa and more conversations under the trees.
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Great Big Green Week: Charity stalls
The Panacea Museum, 11, Newnham Road, MK40 3NX @ 11am – 3pm
Free entry
Browse stalls from local organisations, including charity plant stalls raising money for the Bedford Hospital Primrose Unit and Bedford Repair Cafe.
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Great Big Green Week: Art Session with Anne-Marie Abbate
The Panacea Museum, 11, Newnham Road, MK40 3NX @ 11am – 3pm
Free entry
Drop-in sessions to make Victorian-style greeting cards with local artist Anne-Marie Abbate, using pressed flowers from the Museum gardens.
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Book Sale: Big Bumper Book Sale – Summer Edition
The Place Theatre @ 10am
Free entry
Browse a huge selection of fiction, non-fiction, playscripts and more – plus treat yourself to a cuppa and some cake while you are there!
No ticket needed – just come along. Donations of second hand books are also being accepted. To arrange a time to drop these off, don’t hesitate to get in touch with admin@theplacebedford.org.uk.
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Health and wellbeing: Your St John Ambulance service in and around Bedford
Silver Faces, Silver Street @ 10am – 3pm
Free
The North Bedfordshire Network of St John Ambulance invite you to join them to learn how to do CPR, use a Defibrillator, manage a choking episode, treat different types of wounds, take your own blood pressure, deal with first aid emergencies or ask them anything about first aid.
There will be family-friendly activities and more…
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Afternoon walk: Wootton Village Hall, MK43 9EU @ 1.30pm
Starting on the John Bunyan Trail then to Longcroft Spinney, 6.5 miles
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, 7 June – Thursday, 10 July 2025
Art: 20th Anniversary Exhibition
Eagle Gallery @ Monday-Saturday 10.30-5pm; Sunday 11-3pm
Free entry
Eagle Gallery is a cooperative of local artists exhibiting original paintings, ceramics, glass, sculpture, textiles and jewellery.
Join them at their home on St Peter’s Street this month as they celebrate 20 years since the gallery first opened on Castle Road. On Saturday, 7 June, you can ‘Meet the Artists’ from 10.30am – 1 30pm and toast the future of the gallery with a glass of wine or juice. Other events during the five weeks of the exhibition will include demonstrations and talks given by gallery artists. Details will be on the ‘Events’ page of our website.
Saturday 7 & Saturday 14 June 2025
National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire
The Quarry Theatre @ 2pm
Tickets: £15.50
Gillian Anderson (Sex Education), Vanessa Kirby (The Crown), and Ben Foster (Lone Survivor) lead the cast in Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece, returning to cinemas.
As Blanche’s fragile world crumbles, she turns to her sister Stella for solace – but her downward spiral brings her face to face with the brutal, unforgiving Stanley Kowalski.
From visionary director Benedict Andrews, this acclaimed production was filmed live during a sold-out run at the Young Vic Theatre in 2014.
Saturday, 7 June 2025
LGBTQ+: Pride Cabaret
3 St Peter’s, St Peter’s Street @ 7pm – 11pm
Tickets: £25
A host of incredible LGBTQ+ performers and artists are coming together for an unforgettable celebration at this year’s Pride Cabaret.
Hosted by everyone’s favourite Drag Vegetable, Carrot, the night features a performance by Soft Boi Thommy (Drag King and fire performer), poetry from Katie O’Pray and music from Komal. All profits from ticket sales go to Operation Olive, supporting aid in Palestine.
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Live music: CEREMONY 5 featuring Gurriers, Picture Parlour, Honesty & more
Bedford Esquires from 1pm
Tickets: £27.50
Esquires’ new music all-dayer, Ceremony, will be taking place for its fifth edition, this month, featuring headliners Gurriers. They will be joined by the Springsteen-supporting Picture Palace, the dark trip-hop of Honesty and the brash and brilliant Welly. Check out Esquires’ website for the full line-up.
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Dance music: Motown Saturdays
The Wellington Arms, Wellington Street @ from 4pm
Free entry
The perfect excuse to enjoy a chilled-out chat, have a laugh, enjoy a drink, reminise and dance to top draw soul music with Martyn, Chris, Andy and Geoff at the Wellington Arms.
Saturday, 7 and Sunday, 8 June 2025
Live Music: 80’s Daytime disco for Grown-Ups
The Cellar Bar @ 3pm
Free entry
This weekend there are two chances to dance and singalong to some of the greatest hits ever from the 80s.
Indulge in an afternoon filled with nostalgic tunes, singalongs, and a great atmosphere. The glitterball will be up and the neon outfits on. Anyone in fancy dress will get a free shot from the bar. Free glow sticks and props.
On Saturday, either head home after the disco, or stay into the evening where there are two performances of live music, firstly from solo musician Cameo and secondly from local band Five Five Six.
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Live Music: Cameo
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / Doors open @ 4pm until late.
Free entry
Up first on Saturday night is Cellar Bar favourite, Cameo, who is back for another solo performance. Singing classic rock/pop songs from Dolly Parton to Fleetwood Mac to The Chili Peppers and so much in between.
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Live music: Five Five Six
The Cellar Bar @ 11pm / Bar opens @ 4pm / Happy hour @ 4pm – 9pm
Free entry
They are back!
If you’ve not seen Five Five Six at The Cellar Bar before, you are in for a treat, get ready for a great night of legendary rock tunes. The Cellar Bar literally rocks when these guys play.
Sunday, 8 June 2025
Great Big Green Week: Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park
Bedford Park (near Robinson Pool) @ 10am – 7pm
Free
Now in its sixth year, this free event features sessions led by fully qualified instructors, including Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Chair Yoga, Qigong, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Laughter Yoga, Sound Bath Meditation, and mindful games for families.
Wellness chair massages will also be available between 11am and 3pm.
Sunday, 8 June 2025
Shopping: Bedford Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce Market
Harpur Square @ 10am – 3pm
Free
Bedford Flea is your one-stop shop for all things flea, art and lovely local produce – plus live music sponsored by The Cellar Bar.
You’ll find a smorgasbord of unique antiques, vintage, collectables, bric-a-brac and curiosities in Flea Alley, lots of uber talented artists in the affordable art area and delicious local produce and street food.
Sunday, 8 June 2025
Great Big Green Week: Litter pick
Priory Country Park (meet by the car park, look for the big whale flag!) @ 11am
Free
Join the 2 Minute Foundation for their final event of Great British Green Week – a litter pick in the beautiful Priory Country Park. Celebrate with a well-earned drink at Cloverdale Retreat, thanks to the 2 Minute Foundation.
Sunday, 8 June 2025
Walking: “The Life and Times of John Bunyan” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the box office at the Harpur Suite, Harpur 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.
Sunday, 8 June 2025
Animals: Priory Marina Dog Show
Priory Country Park @ 11am – 4pm
Dog lovers! Head over to Priory Marina for their Fun Dog Show featuring 10 classes, including best fancy dress (dog and owner), Proudest Pup and Resplendent Rescue.
The fête features over 20 stalls for doggies and humans, plus street food and a bar. There will also be children’s rides and games.
Sunday, 8 June 2025
Dance music: Daytime disco for grown-ups
The Cellar Bar @ 3pm
Free entry
Hosted by DJ Stevo, the Cellar Bar’s Daytime Disco is your chance to dance and sing along to some of the greatest hits ever – all on a Sunday afternoon. Why wait for the evening to have fun? And it’s all free, with no tickets required.
Indulge in an afternoon filled with nostalgic tunes and a great atmosphere. The glitterball will be up and the neon outfits on. Anyone dressing up will get a free shot from the bar.
Sunday, 8 June 2025
Live music: The X Certs play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
The X-Certs are a Herts-based covers band playing Post Punk and New Wave Covers from the 70’s and 80’s, looking forward to their return to Esquires.
Sunday, 8 June 2025
Housey housey: Black Tom Bingo Night
The Kent Arms, Salisbury Street @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £10 for a five-page bingo book
A brand new bingo event in the heart of the Black Tom/Prime Ministers area. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a total beginner, this fun and friendly event is open to all. Expect great prizes, a raffle during the break, and plenty of laughs.
Entry is just £10 for a 5-page bingo book and if you book online, you’ll receive a free dabber.
Dogs are welcome too, so feel free to bring your furry friends along!
Tuesday, 10 June 2025
Live music: Tuesday lunchtime concert
St Paul’s church, St Paul’s Square @ 1pm
Free entry with retiring collection (suggested donation £5)
Lunchtime harp recital by Aisha Palmer. Free with a retiring collection.
Tuesday, 10 June 2025
Live music: Castle Quiz
The Castle, 17 Newnham Street @ 7.30pm
Free entry
The Castle quiz is every second Tuesday of the month.
Maximum teams of six and £2 per person entry. Winner gets the pot and a chance to win a bonus pot rollover too. To book a table call 01234 353295.
Tuesday, 10 June 2025
Live music: Gruff Rhys
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £26.50
Gruff Rhys, the enigmatic Welsh musician, is best known as the frontman and main songwriter of Super Furry Animals, one of the most inventive British bands of the 1990s and 2000s. Famed for blending psychedelia, indie rock, and electronic experimentation, Rhys has also built a rich solo career, releasing acclaimed albums like Candylion and Babelsberg.
His musical ventures extend to concept-driven projects, including American Interior, a multimedia exploration of Welsh explorer John Evans. Rhys has collaborated with Gorillaz, Danger Mouse, and Mogwai, cementing his reputation as a boundary-pushing artist. His storytelling, humor, and eclecticism make him a singular voice in modern music.
Thursday, 12 June 2025
Walking: “A tour of St Paul’s church” guided walk
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)
St. Paul’s church has been at the centre of Bedford’s life for over one thousand years and has many stories to tell. Join a tour of this beautiful church in the heart of Bedford as the tour guides tell its story.
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Thursday, 12 June 2025
Live music: Karaoke
The Cellar Bar at 8pm
Free entry
The ONLY place you need to be for karaoke on a Thursday night – The Cellar Bar on the High Street. Pure karaoke with over 50,000 songs to choose from and two for £12 handmade cocktails all night.
Perform like a pro with the Cellar Bar’s professional lighting, sound and a proper stage, with the best-sounding performers and acoustics on the High Street. Sing with your friends using multiple microphones.
Thursday, 12 June 2025
Comedy: Castle Comedy
The Quarry Theatre @ 8pm
Tickets: £18
A classic mixed bill of comedy with TV names and rising stars!
Tez Ilyas – he is one of the most celebrated stars in British comedy. Career highlights include his standout turn as Eight in cult BBC hit Man Like Mobeen, his own Channel 4 satirical sketch series, The Tez O’clock Show. He has also appeared on Live at the Apollo, The Last Leg and Mock the Week.
Gbemi Oladipo – Guaranteed to lift the mood in any room, Gbemi is a celebrated Writer / Performer. An exciting new comic voice, he’s known for his charismatic and playful approach to contentious topics. As a stand up, Gbemi’s credits include The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV) and The BBC 1XTRA Comedy Gala (BBC One).
Friday, 13 June 2025
Live music: Katherine G Sefton
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / bar opens @ 6pm
Free entry
Katherine G Sefton is welcomed back to the Cellar Bar, performing rock and pop classics through the ages.
Friday, 13 June 2025
Live Music: Tie One On
The Cellar Bar @ 11pm / Happy hour until 9pm / late close
Free entry
Tie One On are a rock/ blues band with a vast amount of live experience, whether it is large festivals or pubs/ clubs. They are down to earth, honest, hard working musicians with a knack of lighting up a night of Blues/rock mayhem.
Saturday, 14 June 2025
Walk: Brewpoint pub walk and talk
Location will be confirmed when booking is made
Tickets: £25 (includes a half pint/soft drink at each pub)
A walking tour of five of Wells & Co’s pubs and venues in Bedford in the company of Brewpoint’s pub expert. You’ll discover the history of the company and how each pub ties in with that story.
Expect lots of interesting facts and anecdotes, plus try Brewpoint beers and bask in the ambience of our regional brewing culture.
Saturday, 14 June 2025
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Morning walk: Priory Country Park, Bedford, MK41 9DJ @ 10am
Afternoon walk: Mowsbury Park, Bedford (off Kimbolton Road) MK41 8YF @ 1.30pm
There are two walks this Saturday. At 10am meet at Priory Country Park at 10am for a 10-mile walk along the Ouse towards Willington, Cople and Cardington.
The afternoon event is a seven-mile walk through Putnoe Woods to Renhold. Meet at 1.30pm at Mowsbury Park.
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, 14 June 2025
Environment and community: Bedford Repair Cafe
Project 229, Kempston @ 10am – 3pm
Free entry – just turn up
Bedford Repair Cafe is back in Kempston from 10am to 3pm (last walk in is 2.30pm).
No need to book and you can get one item per household repaired for free, by local volunteers. Yep – repairs are free, but they do appreaciate donations
Please allow time to wait and queue – you cannot drop off items and come back, but you can make use of the cosy 229 Cafe who sell refreshments. Top tip: their quieter times tend to be in the afternoon…
Saturday, 14 June 2025
Great Big Green Week: Swifts or Swallows with Will Rose
The Higgins Bedford @ 11am / 1.30pm / 2.30pm
Free
Learn about swifts and swallows with the brilliant animator (from Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee), Will Rose.
It’s birding for beginners with lots of animated fun along the way. Each workshop lasts an hour.
Saturday, 14 June 2025
Great Big Green Week: Curious Adventures in Nature
The Higgins Bedford @ 11am
Free Booking Essential (Places limited) / suitable for all, though Smartphone required
Join artist Graham Fudger to unlock your smartphone’s nature photography potential in this workshop.
Saturday, 14 June 2025
Great Big Green Week: Clay workshop with Paige Denham / Make a stick doll
The Higgins Bedford @ 11am – 4pm
Free entry
Make beautiful clay mementoes inspired by nature with artist Paige Denham and join artist Helen Jones to make cute stick dolls from upcycled materials.
Saturday, 14 June 2025
Great Big Green Week: Nature’s Playground
The Higgins Bedford @ 2pm – 4pm
Free entry
Suitable for younger families with children aged eight and below. Enjoy sensory crafts and play activities exploring the world of caterpillars and butterflies.
Saturday, 14 June 2025
Great Big Green Week: Craft Swap
The Panacea Museum @ 11.15am – 3pm
Free
All ages Craft ‘Stash’ Swap run by Bedford Craft Swaps. Bring the craft supplies you don’t use any more, and take away the items you will. Come along for a good crafty rummage.
Saturday, 14 June 2025
Live music: Megapint?
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / Bar opens @ 6pm
Free entry
The guys are back for another regular gig at The Cellar Bar playing all night until the small hours. Expect musical excellence mixed with a wonderfully curated list of rock/pop classics
Sunday, 15 June 2025
Family fun: Bedford Brick Festival
John Bunyan Centre @ 10am – 4pm
Tickets: Adult: £7/child (5-12): £5/family: £18
The first ever Bedford Brick Festival is happening this June at the John Bunyan Centre.
The Brick Festival celebrates all things LEGO, with amazing creations to see, activities and competitions to take part in and traders selling rare, retired and new sets, loose bricks and minifigures. It’s a fun day out for fans of all ages.
Sunday, 15 June 2025
Walking: “The Rise and Fall of Bedford Castle” guided walk
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)
The Norman Conquest of Britain witnessed the introduction of castles to the landscape and in Bedford, a major castle was built in the 12th century. Walk through the old castle grounds, see the mound on which it once stood and hear the story of the castle and its demise in the siege of 1224. This year witnesses the 800th anniversary of the Great Siege of Bedford Castle in 1224.
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Sunday, 15 June 2025
Heritage and culture: Dedication of hand-crafted icon mosaic
St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square @ 4pm
Free / all welcome
Dedication of the memorial icon mosaic for St Etheldreda’s by the Bishop of Bedford at St Paul’s church. This will be followed by evensong.
Sunday, 15 June 2025
Live music: U18’s Open Mic
The Cellar Bar @ 5pm – 7.00pm / bar opens at 3pm
Free entry
The Cellar Bar is throwing its doors open to the next generation of Bedford musicians, with a dedicated junior open mic session for under 18s.
Whether you sing, play guitar, drums, or any other musical instrument, or are a band already, you are welcome to take part. It’s a chance for you to perform on a stage in front of an audience with a full pa, drum kit, amps, lighting.
Hosted by none other than Mat Roberts, Mat will be on hand to offer support and advice, as well as doing a few jam sessions of his own.
Under 18’s are welcome in the bar from 5pm until 9pm on Sundays for Junior Open Mic.
Sunday, 15 June 2025
Live music: Dead Shady play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Alt 80’s/post Punk covers band make a welcome return to Esquires Sunday afternoon session.
Sunday, 15 June 2025
Live music: Shonen Knife
Bedford Esquires @ 7pm
Tickets: £17.50
Shonen Knife formed in 1981, long before terms like ‘riot girrrl’ and ‘girl rock’ entered the lexicon. Like fellow cult Japanese girl group The 5,6,7,8s, Shonen Knife have weathered decades of musical change by adhering to what they know best: belting out their own infectious brand of feel-good pop-punk.
“When I finally got to see them live, I was transformed into a hysterical nine-year-old girl at a Beatles concert.” – Kurt Cobain.
At the Higgins Bedford
Exhibition: Colour and Light
The Higgins Bedford until 2 November 2025
Free entry
Art from the 18th century right up to the present day will be on display at The Higgins Bedford in its new exhibition, exploring the fascinating relationship between Colour and Light.
Read: Exhibition: ‘Colour and Light’ illuminates The Higgins Bedford
Running until 2 November 2025, 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 will also feature 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 and is inspired by the works in the exhibition.
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.
Occaisonal Wednesdays (please check website)
Quiz: A1 SpeedQuizzing
The Cellar Bar @ 8pm Bar opens at 7pm
£3pp to enter the quiz. Rolling cash jackpot of £150 plus £60 cash for the winning team and other prizes to winTo reserve your table –
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.
Every Thursday
Cocktails, Quiz Night & Karaoke
The Cellar Bar from 5.00pm
Pit your wits against The Cellar Bar’s resident quizmaster to see if you can win the jackpot every Thursday from 8pm. £2 per person entry and a maximum of six per team. The winning team will win the jackpot PLUS a round of shots. Followed by Karaoke til close
Every Saturday
Food & drink: Cocktail mixology masterclass
The Cellar Bar @ 3pm / doors open at 12 noon
£30 per person
The Cellar Bar’s resident mixologist, Marley, will explain how to create some outstanding cocktails for your tasting enjoyment. Then, it’s your turn to put what you’ve learned into practice by making (and drinking) three cocktails!
Every Sunday
Live Music: Open Mic Night
The Cellar Bar @ 7.30pm
Free Entry
Every Sunday, join Mat Roberts for the Cellar Bar’s weekly Open Mic night. An opportunity for new and experienced performers to get up on stage and perform.
So whether you think you are the next Tom Grennan or just want a good night of entertainment, head to the Cellar Bar from 7.30pm.
Theatre highlights by Paula Walker
The June issue of the Bedford Clanger is out now. Grab a copy at one of our many pick-up points throughout the Borough.
You can find your nearest one using our map here.
