The 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, 9 September 2026
Film: The People’s Emergency Briefing
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: Free but please book via the Place website
This screening forms part of a growing UK-wide programme of events designed to help ensure that both the public and decision-makers are clearly and honestly informed about the climate and nature crisis – and what it may mean for communities across the country.
The screening will be followed by a discussion to explore what these issues mean here, in Bedford and how we can respond together.
Wednesday, 9 September 2026
Live music: B.C.U.C
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20
BCUC, or Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness, hail from South Africa and are known for their high-energy blend of indigenous funk, hip-hop, punk rock and ancestral spiritual music.
This is going to be one of those “I was there” shows – make sure you grab yourself a ticket.
Thursday, 10 September 2026
Gardens: Special afternoon event
Kathy Brown’s Garden @ 2pm-5pm
Tickets: £30
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 including tea, tisanes, coffees, our own apple and pear juices.
Gluten and dairy-free options are only available for the cakes, not the scones – please email Kathy in advance if needed.
Thursday, 10 September 2026
Film: A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
Stevington Cinema Club Stevington Village Hall, MK43 7QT@ 6.15pm
Tickets: £6
After meeting at a wedding, two single people are brought together on a journey through their pasts in this romantic drama.
Thursday, 10 September 2026
Poetry & Spoken Word: Hard Knocks
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £14
Following the release of his new book, The Door-to-Door Poet, as well as a hit programme on BBC Radio 4, Rowan McCabe returns to the stage with Hard Knocks, a show of spoken word and comedy about community and connection.
Expect stories of mistaken identity, odes to rebellious snails, and ruminations on time-travelling public officials, all delivered with Rowan’s trademark warmth and wit.
Friday, 11 September 2026
Adult learning: Open day and garden party
Rothsay Education Centre, Rothsay Gardens @ 11am – 2pm
Free entry
The REC’s annual open day is the perfect excuse to explore the Centre, chat with tutors and dip into free taster sessions. Stay for sausages from the BBQ, Pimms and fundraising stalls.
Friday, 11 September 2026
Art & culture: Bedford Art Society Meeting with artist Jamie Poole
Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford MK41 8EB @ 7.30pm
This month’s event features a demonstration by printmaker and paper collage wildlife artist Jamie Poole.
Friday, 11 September 2026
Live music: The Courettes + GoGo Loco
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
£17.50
Fresh from supporting The Damned at Wembley in April, expect a jolt of high‑octane rock’n’roll as The Courettes bring their explosive garage‑beat energy back to Bedford.
The Danish–Brazilian duo have built a fierce reputation channelling the raw spirit of 60s girl‑group pop, fuzz‑drenched garage rock, and a wall‑of‑sound intensity that feels tailor‑made for every venue.
Friday, 11 September 2026
Live music: blender presents The Scenesters + Kate Gore & the Screamers + Sycamore + Life Before Seat Belts
Bedford Esquires @ 7pm
Tickets: £8
The blender Future Sessions are back for an autumn show this September, featuring another fresh cast of new and emerging bands from the live music neighbourhood, giving you all another chance to discover your favourite new band before the year is out.
Indie rockers The Scenesters and pop punkers Life Before Seatbelts are making their first trip to Esquires and we welcome Sycamore, rising out the paused Plateau experiment along with the mighty Kate Gore and The Screamers, who are currently laying down tracks in the studio and will have a brand new single out to celebrate come October.
Saturday, 12 September 2026
Community: Craft and Handmade Fair
Emmaus Village Carlton, School Lane MK43 7LQ @ 10am – 3pm
Free entry
On Saturday, 12 September, head to Emmaus Village Carlton to browse handmade products from local crafters, artists and makers.
Saturday, 12 September 2026
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Venue/where to meet: Riseley Primary School MK44 1DR @ 10am
Venue/where to meet: Stagsden Church MK43 8SQ @ 1.30pm
The weekly morning walk takes in trails near Melchbourne, Swineshead’s woodland and via Pertenhall, 11.25 miles.
In the afternoon, a countryside walk north of Stagsden. Six 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, 12 September 2026
Classical music: Organ recital
St Paul’s church, St Paul’s Square @ noon
Free with retiring collection
Organ recital by Amy Lammin. Free with retiring collection.
Saturday, 12 September 2026
Dance music: The 2pm Club – daytime disco 80s edition
Bedford Esquires @ 2pm – 6pm
Tickets: £12
Boombastic Events are back with the ever-popular ‘2pm Club’ Daytime Disco this weekend. This time round it’s a celebration of the greatest musical decade ever – the 80s.
Saturday, 12 & Sunday, 13 September 2026
Theatre: Twelfth Night
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £18
The Pantaloons once again present their own brand of Shakespearean mayhem.
Separated at sea, twins Viola and Sebastian wash up on the island of Illyria, both fearing the other is lost forever.
Plied pranksters, puritanical pillocks and perhaps even true love await them as they forge their own paths through this new world of fools, jewels, duels and dual identities.
Saturday, 12 September 2026
Live music: Mark Chadwick (The Levellers)
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
£22.50
The Levellers’ frontman and chief songwriter, Mark Chadwick, is back at Bedford Esquires this month for a special, intimate show.
Still going strong, the Levellers are perennial festival favourites. Be warned – Mark will have you up dancing!
Saturday, 12 September 2026
Live music: Fynnius Fogg
The Quarry Theatre @7.30pm
Tickets: £20
Fynnius Fogg formed in 1972 and their debut single, “Roller Skating Baby,” reached no 17 in the UK charts. Since reforming, the Bedford band has helped raise over £1m for charitable causes.
Enjoy an evening of nostalgic, authentic hits from the 60s and 70s, plus stories from the band’s time in the spotlight.
Saturday, 12th September 2026
Classical music: Stephen Meakins – Piano concert
St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Road @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14
One of the UK’s busiest young pianists and a keen collaborator, Stephen Meakins is in great demand as a chamber musician and has performed in major concert venues as both soloist and accompanist.
Catch him at this intimate venue in Bedford.
Sunday, 13 September 2026
Shopping: Bedford Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce Market
Harpur Square @ 10am
Bedford Flea can be found at its new home in Harpur Square this month, bringing its usual fabulous selection of vintage finds, collectables, food and affordable art.
There will also be a live poet to conjure up some typewritten odes on the day!
Sunday, 13 September 2026
Walking: “I Never Knew That” 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)
“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.
Sunday, 13 September 2026
Family fun: Nature Together Art Trail
Kempston Mill, Mill Lane, Kempston MK42 7BD @ 11am – 4pm
Free
To celebrate the conclusion of BCA’s ‘Nature Together in Kempston’ summer programme, celebrate with a special Art Trail along the River Great Ouse in Kempston.
There will be workshops with Anne-Marie Abbate, a wellbeing walk with Rachel Hegarty, a scavenger hunt for children, storytelling and talks, food and drink vendors and lots of other fun activities.
Free, but booking recommended: bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/events/nature-together-art-trail
Sunday, 13 September 2026
Live music: Dead Shady play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Bedford’s own Dead Shady return to Esquires with two sets of post punk/New Wave Covers. Also on the bill, their friends Poison Justice who will be opening the afternoon at 5pm sharp.
Monday, 14 September 6.15pm 2026
Community: Wellbeing Walk
Meet outside the Bedford Swan Hotel @ 6.15pm
Free / donations to Not Everything Sucks CIC welcome
Things feel better outside, so join the Wellbeing Walk for a casual evening stroll in a welcoming space, where you can chat, meet new people, or just enjoy the peace and quiet – no pressure either way.
Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Classical music: Lunchtime recital
St Paul’s church, St Paul’s Square @ 1pm
Free with retiring collection
A viola recital by Vanessa Hristova. Free with retiring collection.
Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Theatre: Three Men in a Boat
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £18
A fresh adaptation of the classic comic tale. Join Walsall’s very own Jerome K. Jerome as he recounts his quixotic journey along the River Thames with his friends Harris and George (not forgetting Montmorency the dog).
As funny now as it was all those years ago. Jonathan Goodwin portrays Jerome K Jerome in a show scripted by himself.
Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Film: Bedford Film Society presents The Stranger
University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Avenue
Tickets: Annual membership £70 / day member £5
2025 adaptation of Albert Camus’ 1942 novella L’Étranger.
Tuesday, 15 – Saturday, 19 September 2026
Theatre: Dinner by Moira Buffini
Sharnbrook Mill Theatre @ 7.30pm nightly
Tickets from £18
An evening of fine dining descends into chaos in Moira Buffini’s razor-sharp satire Dinner.
Wickedly funny, unsettling, and deliciously provocative, Dinner invites you to a night where manners are abandoned and survival is on the menu.
The characters are brilliantly brought to life by cast members Tracey Chatterley, David Mander, Tim Wyatt, Marie de Greeve, Annette Codrington, Chris Uff and Tom Carter.
Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Live music: Bedford Bakes Baking Club – holiday bakes
The Castle, Newnham Street @ 7.30pm
Free entry
Bedford Bakes is a baking club where everyone is welcome!
This meeting’s theme is ‘holiday bakes’, so bake and bring something you’ve enjoyed on your holidays. During the meeting, share bakes – both sweet and savoury – swap recipes & discover new creations.
It’s the perfect chance to connect with fellow bakers & enjoy new treats in a warm & welcoming atmosphere. No sign up. No fee. No need to book; just turn up with your bakes.
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Bedford Skeptics: The Common Cold: 30,000 Years of the Sniffles with Dr. David Miles
The North End Club, 60 Roff Avenue, Bedford, MK41 7TW @ 7.30pm
Donations appreciated
The first cold virus was detected in a milk tooth shed over 30,000 years ago, and ever since, the common cold has been a bane.
David Miles is an infectious disease immunologist who spent 10 years researching immunity to infections and the vaccinations that protect against them in various parts of Africa.
His second book, Sneeze: The History and Science of the Common Cold, was published in March this year. variolator.com/about
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Theatre: Hasbian
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £20
Hasbian takes audiences on a queer coming-of-age journey, from childhood to cringey adolescence – from identifying as a teenage lesbian, to realising boys are also appealing.
The show is fun, upbeat, and packed with 90s and 00s pop culture and a throwback soundtrack featuring S Club, B*Witched and Destiny’s Child.
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Live music: Midding + guests
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
Through the release of two EPs on Tough Love Records, Midding have established a sound that feels both familiar and entirely their own.
Expect a blend of lo-fi tape saturation, fuzz-soaked guitars and melodic vocals; their songs balance noise and atmosphere with catchy pop sensibilities in equal measure.
Midding sit in the shadowy space between post‑punk unease, shoegaze haze, and art‑rock precision — a band who build songs like weather fronts.
Their sound moves from quiet, brittle minimalism to towering walls of distortion, always with a sense of emotional weight and slow‑creeping drama.
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Comedy: British Comedian of the Year – Bedford Heat
The Quarry Theatre @ 8pm
Tickets: £15
Castle Comedy and the Quarry Theatre host the British Comedian of the Year: Bedford Heat. This competition has the biggest comedy prize in the UK, a whopping £10,001. T
he quality will be sky-high. Paul Revill will host the show.
Friday, 18 – Sunday, 20 September 2026
Books: Write By The River literary festival
Various venues
Tickets: see website for info
A new literary festival – Write By the River – is set to transform Bedford into a hub of storytelling, big ideas, and creative inspiration this weekend.
The festival features fiction, non-fiction, poetry, crime, memoir, and children’s literature, with events designed for book lovers of all ages in town centre locations.
Happy reading!
Friday, 18 – Sunday, 20 September 2026
Live music: Beer, Sausage and Cider Festival
The Castle, Newnham Street @ from midday
Free entry
Head to The Castle for their first Beer, Cider and Sausage Festival Weekend.
Choose from eight ciders and eight cask ales, alongside the usual bar offering. Feeling peckish? Take your pick from a selection of flavoured sausages in a bun from local butchers Ingle and Caves in Marston Moretaine.
From 8.30pm on Friday night (18 September), live music will be provided by Single File – a three-piece band singing pop rock favourites. On Sunday, entertainment is from Bedford-based Irish band, The Black and Gold. The craic starts at 2pm.
Friday, 18 September 2026
Comedy: Simon Evans is Staring at the Sun
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20
With growing evidence that we are living in a Computer Simulation, BBC Radio 4 stalwart and veteran of a quarter century of highly acclaimed stand-up comedy Simon Evans is revisiting the blue remembered hills of his youth.
The analogue world of hitch-hiking, pub bets and hedge porn. Of being able to get properly lost.
Friday, 18 September 2026
Live music: Little Barrie + Edgar Jones
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
£20
Cast in the grand tradition of great British rock bands, and fuelled by a love of American blues, funk and soul, Little Barrie consists of Barrie Cadogan, Lewis Wharton and Tony Coote.
This will be a legendary show.
Friday, 18 September 2026
Live music: Torus + Mindsigh + Blush
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £5
UK hard grunge rock band, Torus from Milton Keynes/Towcester, come to Bedford to celebrate their ‘Take Me Home’ EP.
Support is from some of the best local young up-and-coming new rock bands from the area, MINDSIGH and Blush.
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Community: £1 pop-up preloved clothing sale
Emmaus Village Carlton, School Lane MK43 7LQ @ 10am – 3pm
Free entry
Head to Emmaus Village in Carlton to hunt for a bargain among the preloved clothing, all just £1.
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Exhibition: Threads
The Arc, Howard Street
Free entry
Bedford-based artist (and drummer) Chris Thatcher has a new solo exhibition at The Arc this month. The collection of paintings and ink drawings are all for sale, alongside selected prints.
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Theatre: The (Almost) Complete History of Britain
The Place Theatre @ 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Tickets: from £16
Missed this one in April – never fear – it’s back, with mud, blood and stiff upper-lips in under two hours.
Have you ever wanted to see the life of Henry VIII told as a romantic comedy or the tale of the Spanish Armada reimagined as a light operetta?
Probably not. But that won’t stop The Pantaloons retelling great moments from the country’s past in a variety of surprising genres! Featuring live music, audience interaction and wild historical inaccuracy.
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Live music: Soho Dukes + WitchDoktors + Noir Mates
Bedford Esquires @ 7pm
Tickets: £12
World-renowned, critically acclaimed, electrically powered, rascal rock and rollers, Soho Dukes play a double-headline show in Room 2 at Esquires with their good friends WitchDoktors.
With Special guests Noir Mates.
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Dance music: GoodTimes 30th anniversary party
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm – 1.30am
Tickets: £19.50
GoodTimes is celebrating 30 years of bringing dance music to the discerning music lovers of Bedford with a special anniversary event at Esquires this month.
What began as a passion for house music and creating unforgettable nights, GoodTimes has grown into a project celebrating the town’s musical heritage, reconnecting generations and bringing people together through music.
Read: GoodTimes celebrates bringing dance music to Bedford for 30 years
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Dance music: Remedy featuring Aidy West
Dom Polski, Ashburnham Road @ 8pm
Tickets: £15
Remedy returns to Dom Polski, and this month they are welcoming Aidy West, one of the most respected underground DJs and a pivotal tastemaker in the UK dance scene.
He is known for playing eclectic sets blending deep house, disco, boogie, jazz-funk and leftfield obscurities
His set will be played on the Golden Lounge Sound System, a bespoke Hi-Fi sound system handmade in the UK.
Over the past year, Remedy has become known for its friendly and inclusive vibe. If you are yearning for a place to dance and make new friends, this is a night for you.
Tickets cost £15, and include a vegan buffet as well as a cloakroom.* To get your tickets, sign up for their invite list here. Once you’ve signed up to the list, you will be sent a link to get your tickets.
Sunday, 20 September 2026
Live music: Thr3e play the Sunday Afternoon Session
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm
Free entry
Thr3e are back at Esquires to play the Sunday Afternoon Session.
The band will play two sets of original rock and blues with a few covers in their own style.
Every Monday
Live music: An evening with Mat Roberts & guests
The Castle, Newnham Street @ 7.30pm
Free entry
Join Mat Roberts and special guests every Monday evening for the best live music and a chilled-out vibe.
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.
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.
