Bedford Park is set to transform into a premier destination for live music fans once again this week as the highly anticipated Bedford Summer Sessions returns.
The stunning Grade II-listed Victorian park, situated just a short walk from the town centre, has a long history of hosting renowned live music events.
Over the years, these concert series have drawn hundreds of thousands of attendees to see celebrated global icons such as Sting, George Ezra, Billy Ocean, and Avril Lavigne.
Following the tremendous success of last year’s event, which saw massive crowds for McFly and the return of the Bedford Proms, the festival is back to solidify the park’s status as a major cultural landmark.
You can see all the details you need to make your Bedford Summer Sessions experience one to remember. To see where to go for gates, drinks, food, music and loos, click or tap the map below.
Incredible weekend line-up
Bedford Summer Session’s 2026 four-day spectacle kicks off on Thursday, 2 July 2026, bringing an unforgettable blend of natural beauty and top-tier entertainment to the Borough.
Gates open at 5:00 PM daily for all ticket holders, and the live music is scheduled to finish between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
Daily stage times
The music begins on Thursday, 2 July 2026, with anthemic performances from Deacon Blue and The Lightning Seeds.
On Friday, 3 July 2026, reggae royalty takes over as UB40 featuring Ali Campbell headlines alongside Bitty McLean and Reggae Roast.
Saturday, 4 July 2026, marks a massive homecoming show for Bedford’s own Tom Grennan, who leads a stellar bill featuring Brooke Combe and Fiona-Lee.
The epic weekend closes on Sunday, 5 July 2026, with a headline set from rock legend Paul Weller, supported by Miles Kane and Arkayla.
Are tickets still available?
There just might be. Head to smmrsessions.com/locations/bedford to check availability.
Are you going? Send us your photos
Our team will be putting together a bumper gallery to look back at an incredible weekend of live music.
If you are heading down to the park, we want to see how you are celebrating.
Please email your best crowd shots, group photos, and festival outfits to news@bedfordindependent.co.uk.
Your pictures could be featured in our special end-of-weekend round-up article on the website.
Travel and town centre parking
There is no on-site car parking at Bedford Park, so organisers strongly recommend arriving early to secure a spot nearby.
To make things easier for weekend visitors, all Bedford Borough Council town centre car parks are completely free all day on Sundays.
Drivers can head to the Lurke Street multi-storey car park or the Allhallows multi-storey car park, both of which offer free parking after 6:00 PM daily and are within a 12-minute walk of the arena.
The River Street multi-storey car park provides another 24-hour option within a 15-minute walk of the park, though standard parking rates apply here after 6:00 PM.
Essential venue policies
The entire festival site is cashless, so make sure you bring debit or credit cards or mobile payment methods for bars, food stalls, and merchandise.
While outside food and drink cannot be brought into the arena, community members may bring up to two sealed water bottles, each up to 500ml, along with an empty reusable bottle.
Free water refill stations are available throughout the site, alongside a diverse selection of food stalls offering a range of dietary and gluten-free options.
The concerts will go ahead rain or shine, and because umbrellas are banned to protect sightlines, music fans should pack high-quality wet-weather gear.
If you want to sit down, you can bring one foldable chair per person, but these must be kept behind the designated line at the rear of the general admission arena.
Families should note that children aged 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult, while children aged two and under can enter for free.
