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, 8 July 2026
Local history: Geology drop-in
The Higgins Bedford @ 2pm – 4pm
Free entry, booking essential by emailing thehiggins@bedford.gov.uk
Do you have geology specimens that you would like identified? Bring in your best rock, fossil, mineral and crystal finds, and Bev will help to answer your geology questions.
Wednesday, 8 July 2026
Live music: This Is The Kit
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £26
This Is The Kit is the alias of British musician Kate Stable and the band she fronts.
Now seven albums in, and with their latest work produced by Gruff Rhys, yet another daring but warm album was created.
Constantly supported by DJs across the BBC, including 6 Music and Radio 1, as well as playing festivals around the world, this is set to be an amazing evening of music.
Thursday, 9 July 2026
Theatre: Handlebards present – As You Like It
The Quarry Theatre @ 7pm
Tickets: from £3.50
Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK.
Join the troupe at the Quarry Theatre for a fantastically funny bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’.
Friday, 10 July 2026
Art and culture: Marmalade Cats & Faithful Hens – Kathleen Hale & Noel Carrington
The Higgins Bedford @ 11.30am – 12.30pm
Tickets: £7.75 per person, concessions £6.20 / booking essential
Join the Higgins’ Keeper of Fine and Decorative Art, Victoria Partridge, for this marmalade cat-filled talk about the wonderful art of Kathleen Hale, part of the Noel Carrington exhibition.
To book places on exhibition tours and talks please call the Box Office on 01234 718044 (open Weds – Sat 10am–4pm) or go to the website.
Friday, 10 and Saturday, 11 July 2026
Family fun: Big Car Weekend
Kimberley College, Green Lane, Stewartby @ 4pm – 8pm (Friday) 8am – 8pm (Saturday)
Tickets: Friday £3 adv/£5 on the door | Saturday £5 adv/£10 on the door
The perfect weekend for petrolheads on the grounds of Kimberley College. Enjoy the car show, DJs, food, drink and all things automobile-related.
All proceeds to local Bedford-based charities.
Friday, 10 July 2026
Comedy: Matt Forde: Defying Calamity
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £25
In his biggest live tour to date, leading political comedian Matt Forde (The Royal Variety Performance, Spitting Image, HIGNFY, British Scandal) finds positivity in life despite all the evidence to the contrary in politics and his own health.
Friday, 10 July 2026
Live music: Mad Mods and Englishmen
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £10
Anyone that has seen the ‘Mad Mods’ live will tell you that they are no traditional covers band. Their energetic performances have built them a massive following and they have a reputation of packing every venue they play at, and then bringing the house down!
Their repertoire includes hits from The Who, Small Faces, The Kinks, Rolling Stones, Spencer Davis, Yardbirds, The Jam and many more, and yes, they’ve even been known to smash the odd guitar up on stage!
The band will be playing 2 sets with no support on the night, doors open at 7:30pm with the band hitting the stage around 8.30pm.
Friday, 10 July 2026
Live music: Run in the Shadow – Fleetwood Mac tribute
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £17
The UK’s top, and some say most authentic, Fleetwood Mac tribute show make a very welcome return to Bedford following sell-out shows at Esquires in 2024 and 25.
The band have spent a huge amount of time carefully recreating the look, sound and playing style of their favourite band, so audiences can revel in the attention to detail and delight in a sound noted by many as ‘just like the actual Fleetwood Mac’.
Expect a hit-packed set with all the classics inc Big Love, Dreams, Caroline, Gypsy, Rhiannon, Tusk, Go Your Own Way, Seven Wonders, Tango In The Night, Don’t Stop and many, many more…
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Morning walk meeting place: Ravensden Village Hall, MK44 2RL @ 9.30am / 10am / 10.30am
Three morning walks, all starting from Ravensden Village Hall.
At 9.30am, walk east to Wilden, then west through the countryside, 8.6 miles
At 10am, a six-mile walk from Ravensden to Salph End, Putnoe Woods and Mowsbury Park
At 10.30am, a slower ramble through Avenue Farm to Sevick End, Wilden, 4.5 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, 11 July 2026
Fundraising: Our Big Book Sale
The Place Theatre @ 10am
Free
Browse a huge selection of second-hand books at The Place Theatre’s fundraising sale. Whether you’re after a classic, a thriller, or a cosy novel, they’ve got something for everyone, with prices from just £1.
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Family fun: Bedford Creative Arts summer workshops
Kempston Mill MK42 7BD @ 11am – 3pm
Free drop-in
Head to Kempston Mill for the ‘Drawing at the River Great Ouse‘ art workshop.
No experience necessary, just bring a sketch book, pencils, brushes, paints, and a picnic. Age: 5 years and up.
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Family fun: Riverside Tennis Club open day
Riverside Tennis Club, Goldington Road @ 1pm – 3.30pm
Free
All ages, all abilities, all welcome to give tennis a try and Riverside this weekend.
The tennis club on Goldington Road is hosting an open day to give you a chance to come along and try tennis for free.
Whether you are a total beginner or a low key professional you’re invited to come along and get involved. Coaches and members will be on hand to help with your game and let you know how you can continue to play.
The bar and cafe will be open all afternoon and membership and coaching discounts available on the day to new participants.
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Workshop: Zine Workshop
The Place Theatre @ 2pm
Tickets: free but please book via the website
Calling all creatives aged 14–25!
Join Imperfect Bound for a free zine-making workshop where you can share your favourite hangouts, strange stories, and meaningful places in Bedford through drawing, writing, collage, and more.
Perfect for teens and young adults who love storytelling, art, or just want to share what makes Bedford special.
Saturday, 11 and Sunday, 12 July 2026
Food & drink: Cream Teas in the Panacea Garden
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd, Bedford, MK40 3NX @ 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm
£8
A pot of tea, scone, cream and jam, all served on vintage and antique china. Reserve your spot online, and pay on the day by card or cash.
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Theatre: All of Them, Dead
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £16
In a global pandemic caused by infected meat, two boys find they’re much less alone than they thought. All Of Them, Dead is a play about being young, gay and working-class in the middle of nowhere.
It’s about the things that go unsaid, it’s about two boys holding hands, it’s about clinging together as the world changes around you.
And it’s about meat falling from the sky (no, really).
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Live music: Green 182
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14
The ultimate tribute to the iconic bands Green Day and Blink-182, born out of a shared passion for punk rock, energetic performances, and a love for the unforgettable anthems of these legendary bands.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan who wants to relive the magic of live performances or a newcomer eager to discover the essence of punk rock, Green 182 is the ultimate destination. Sing along to your favourite hits, jump in the mosh pit, and immerse yourself in the timeless music that has defined a generation.
Get ready to experience the best of Green Day and Blink-182 all in one electrifying performance.
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Live music: Bad Hombre
The Cellar Bar @
Free entry
The three amigo’s bring their wall of sound back to Bedford’s coolest venue at The Cellar Bar.
Hey ho – let’s go!
Sunday, 12 July 2026
Shop local: Bedford Flea, Affordable Art & Local Produce Market
Harpur Square @ 10am – 3pm
Free
The perfect way to spend a chilled-out summer Sunday. Browse the stalls, chat to the traders, grab some food and enjoy the music.
See you there!
Sunday, 12 July 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.
Monday, 13 July 2026
Wellbing: Not Everything Sucks CIC Wellbeing Walk
Meet outside Swan Hotel @ 6.15pm
Free
A gentle community walk to connect with nature, slow down and meet new people or enjoy a quiet stroll, no pressure either way.
Wednesday, 15 July 2026
Community: Bedford Morris Men – summer on the road
The Crown, Willington @ 7.30pm
Free
Free to watch, turn up, grab a pint (and perhaps some food), and enjoy some traditional morris dancing.
Thursday, 16 July 2026
Reminiscence Session: Brewing in Bedford
The Higgins Bedford @ 11am-12.30pm
Free / drop in
2026 marks 150 years since Charles Wells opened his brewery in Bedford.
Read: 150 years of Bedford’s brewing heritage on display at The Higgins
Come along to this session to remember favourite beers and ales, local pubs and breweries.
Thursday, 16 July 2026
Art & culture: Edward Bawden Archive Session
The Higgins Bedford @ 2pm-3.30pm
Tickets: £14.60 per person, concessions £11.60 / booking essential
Hidden in secret drawers inside the Edward Bawden Gallery are hundreds of prints, drawings and ephemera from the artist’s archive.
Join the Keeper of Fine and Decorative Art for a delve through some of them. The session is a perfect opportunity to see well known works, as well as pieces that have never been on display before.
Thursday, 16 July – Saturday, 18 July
Community Theatre: Alice’s Adventures
The Place Theatre @ various times
Tickets: from £10
Take a tumble down the rabbit hole this summer with Alice’s Adventures — an open-air family show inspired by the beloved tales of Lewis Carroll.
Don your top hat and goggles, and prepare for an enchanting adventure filled with curiosity, charm, and clockwork magic!
Thursday, 16 July 2026
Gardens: Kathy Brown’s Garden – special event
The Manor House, Church Road, Stevington MK43 7QB @ 2pm – 5pm
Tickets: £30 | Booking required
Come and enjoy a relaxed afternoon with a tour of the garden, a chat about Kathy’s special cakes from the garden, then the chance to enjoy afternoon tea with savoury scones and Kathy’s special homemade cake.
Choose from a varied selection of drinks; tea, tisanes, coffees, and apple and pear juices made from fruit from the garden.
Gluten- and dairy-free options are only available for the cakes, not the scones – please email Kathy in advance if needed.
Thursday, 16th July 2026
Bedford Skeptics: What an I Can Do That AI Can’t with Professor Neil Lawrence
The North End Social Club, Roff Avenue @ 7.30pm
Donations appreciated
Join Prof Neil Lawrence to find out about the limitations of artificial intelligence, why he finds the notion of artificial general intelligence absurd, and how there’s a part of us that can never be replaced by the machine.
The inaugural DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Cambridge, Neil has been working on machine learning models for over 20 years and recently returned to academia after three years as Director of Machine Learning at Amazon.
Friday, 17 July 2026
Live music: Big Truck
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14
Big Truck is the sound of Laurie Vincent stepping into a different light. Known for the raw intensity of SOFT PLAY, here he trades abrasion for atmosphere – creating songs that move between indie-pop melody and candid lyricism.
Saturday, 18 and Sunday, 19 July 2026
Family fun: River Festival 2026
Various locations throughout Bedford and along the Embankment
FREE!
Bedford River Festival is back, and across two packed days, the riverside, Russell Park, and the town centre will once again be home to the UK’s second largest FREE outdoor festival.
At the heart of the festival is the River Great Ouse, so don’t miss the boat parades on both Saturday and Sunday, and the illuminated boat parade on Saturday night. Saturday sees the welcome return of the Dragon Boat Race in aid of Sue Ryder, while Sunday’s Raft Race promises the usual chaotic homemade flotilla of crafts vying for victory – and raising money for local charities.
St. Mary’s Gardens is home to the family area, with accessible activities and workshops for all ages. Over on Sports Island, festival-goers can get stuck into everything from canoeing and climbing to rugby, gymnastics and paddleboarding.
As ever, music is at the heart of this year’s line-up. In Russell Park, the main stage acts are curated by Esquires, and on the Embankment, the new BBC Music Introducing Stage will shine a spotlight on emerging artists from Bedford and beyond, so catch some future stars in the making. The Community Stages in Mill Meadows will showcase local acts of all ages.
Take a turn down the High Street to enjoy the Bedford Festival of Motoring and relax on Town Bridge – an ideal location to view the river activities, and also host to traditional bands performing in the ‘Bands on the Bridge’ area. Pull up a chair and relax to some rousing classical tunes performed by some of the best bands in Bedfordshire.
Over in Harpur Square, Bedfordian Suzanne Tanser is hoping to create the town’s ‘Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever’ at midday on Saturday. The aim is to bring together as many people as possible dressed in red to take part in a synchronised dance to Kate Bush’s 1978 hit.
One of this year’s festival highlights will be the Green Earth Vegan Lounge on Castle Mound. Head here for a chilled-out vibe, vegan food, nature-themed children’s activities, live willow weaving and wood-turning demonstrations, and music from Bedford’s own Remedy Collective, featuring performers from across the UK.
If you want to find an oasis of calm among the festival excitement, the Lounge offers chill-out spaces with sessions including Reiki, Qigong and sound baths.
Add in Castle Mound’s unbeatable views of the river action – including Saturday evening’s Illuminated Boat Parade – and it sounds like the perfect place to pause, soak it all in, and enjoy a picnic or a bite to eat.
Download the full programme here.
Saturday, 18 July 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!
Saturday, 18 July 2026
Walking: Marking 40 years of the Greensand Ridge Walk
St Leonard’s Church, Old Warden
£10 to support The Greensand Trust
2026 marks the 40th anniversary of The Greensand Ridge, and to celebrate they have curated a programme of walks from May to September including Old Warden Circular Walk.
This eight-mile guided walk takes you through Old Warden and Ickwell onto the Greensand Ridge Walk before heading back towards Old Warden.
Saturday, 18 July 2026
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Venue/where to meet: Riseley, MK44 1DT @ 1.30pm
Three morning walks, all starting from Ravensden Village Hall
Seven-and-a-half-mile walk from Riseley towards Knotting Green through Strawberry Hill.
Saturday, 18 July 2026
Dance music: River Festival After Party
Bedford Esquires @ 10pm
Tickets: £6/£7/£10
It’s River Festival weekend, and as ever, Bedford Esquires is running the biggest after party in town until the early hours.
One ticket covers all – spread over two rooms, with two different flavours, they’ve put together a bit of a stonker to keep you dancing.
In Room 1 is a Silent Disco: three singalong channels of Brat Pop, Brit Pop, Hip Hop, Dance, Cheese & Indie Sleaze
Over in Room 2 it’s the Roll Your Own Records takeover. The RYOR crew are in the building, with a melting pot of the finest DJs from the area, from House to D&B and 140BPM goodness.
Saturday, 18 July 2026
Live music: Hey Pixies
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14
Hey Pixies are the UK’s most gigantic Pixies tribute band, striving for the original authentic Pixies sound and playing the classics as close to the original recordings as possible.
Expect to hear all the timeless indie-defining tracks such as Monkey Gone to Heaven, Here Comes Your Man, Debaser, and Where Is My Mind?, as well as a load of loud-quiet-loud magic in the form of Hey, Gouge Away, Holiday Song and more…
At the Higgins Bedford
Until 4 October
Exhibition: Children’s Art Competition and Exhibition
Sir William Harpur Gallery at the Higgins Bedford
The Children’s Art Competition features more than 100 pieces of artwork created by pupils from schools across Bedford Borough. The children aged 4 to 18 have created their artwork at workshops with professional artists visiting their schools.
The theme for the 2026 exhibition is ‘Aspire: Nurturing Potential’, based on their aspirations, goals, dreams, hopes and what they want to be or do in life.
Read: Young Bedford artists showcase big ambitions in ‘Aspire’ exhibition
The competition and exhibition are a collaboration between The Harpur Trust and The Higgins Bedford.
Until April 2027
Display: A Brewery in Bedford: Celebrating 150 Years of Wells & Co.
Somewhere in England Foyer, First Floor
Free entry
Founded in 1876 by Charles Wells, the business began at Horne Lane Brewery, brewing beers and growing a thriving pub estate.
Read: 150 years of Bedford’s brewing heritage on display at The Higgins
In 2019, it moved to Brewpoint and rebranded as Wells & Co., marking an exciting new chapter. Find out more about their 150 year journey.
Until 2 September
Exhibition: Noel Carrington: Nothing Need Be Ugly
The Higgins Bedford @ extended
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.
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.
