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Discover the Best Events in Bedford: 11 – 21 July 2024
Your 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 Thursday and is the only guide you need to know what's on and what's happening across the Borough for the next 10 days.
Thursday 11 July 2024
Food Festival at Bedford Heights
Elevate your lunch break at the Bedford Heights annual Food Festival. Say no to a beige and boring midweek lunch and instead go all out with a freshly baked pizza or pulled beef brisket burger at the Bedford Heights Food Festival this July. With authentic Italian pizza, local ice cream, wood-smoked BBQ, bar, sweet treats, and vegan smoothies, whatever your flavour you won’t be disappointed.
The festival will be located at the front of Bedford Heights on Brickhill Drive, with stalls open from 12pm. Free parking is available on site.
Themed Life Drawing with the Circus of Illustration
Join the Circus of Illustration and Castle Life Art for a special life drawing session with an illustrative twist! This one-off session at the John Bunyan Museum will feature a costumed model and a range of props inspired by the legends of Ancient Greece. Explore ways to add narrative elements to drawings to push storytelling and heighten the emotion of the pose. The session runs from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, with tickets priced at £10/£15.
Live Music with Ruts DC at Bedford Esquires
In 1977, the Ruts were hot-wiring barbed wire guitar, passionate poetry, and rhythm weaponry together. This is a unique opportunity to witness a band that doesn't just look and sound punk but is punk. The event starts at 7.30pm, with tickets priced at £17.50.
Planet Swing Featuring Alisa Lands Swing Quartet
An evening for dancers and music enthusiasts alike at The Dance Hall, Wixams Retirement Village, Bedford Road. Expect a night of swing music and dancing from 8pm to 10.30pm. Tickets are priced at £12.99.
Friday 12 July 2024
Live Music with Cameo at Cellar Bar
Cellar Bar favorite Cameo is back for another solo performance. Expect a beautiful voice and some cracking party tunes! Singing classic rock/pop songs from Dolly Parton to Fleetwood Mac to The Red Hot Chili Peppers and so much in between, be ready for a cracking party night from 6pm. Entry is free.
Country Night at Bedford Esquires
Calling all Cowboys and Cowgirls! Strap on your boots and dust off the Stetson for a night of country music hosted by the Heavy Metal Cowboy himself. The event kicks off at 9pm with tickets priced at £8.
Amy – A Tribute at Bedford Esquires
An eight-piece band paying an authentic homage to the music of Amy Winehouse. Complete with a full horn section, the band accurately recreates the live sound of Amy’s touring bands of the 2000s. The event starts at 7.30pm, with tickets priced at £14.
Saturday 13 July 2024
Summer Reading Challenge: Marvellous Makers
Children can get creative in Bedford Borough Libraries with this year’s free Summer Reading Challenge, Marvellous Makers, starting from Saturday 13 July to Saturday 7 September. Register for the challenge and earn rewards for reading library books. Regular activities will take place in all libraries throughout the summer holidays.
Saturday Organ Recital
Enjoy a lunchtime organ recital by Adrian Goss at St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square, starting at noon. Free entry with a retiring collection (suggested donation £5).
Bedford Gardening Club Summer Social
The Bedford Gardening Club is launching their community group with a summer social at the Panacea Museum Gardens. The event will be filled with talks, workshops, and activities from 11am to 3pm. Entry is free.
Eid in Bedford Festival
Join the celebrations at Addison Howard Park, Kempston from 1pm to 9pm on Saturday and from 1pm to 8pm on Sunday. A special period for SEND visitors is scheduled from 11am to 1pm on Sunday. Free entry, but booking is required for SEND visitors.
North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ Weekly Walk
This week’s walks include a 12-mile tour around Wootton and Wood End in the morning and a 6-mile cross-country tour of Marston Vale in the afternoon. Morning meeting point is Wootton Village Hall at 10am, and the afternoon meeting point is Marston Vale Forest Centre at 1.30pm. Bring a drink, snack, or lunch as the group always takes a break.
Marble Cake at The Place Theatre
Marble Cake is a brand-new play exploring the relationship between a mixed-race brother and sister. The show begins at 7.30pm, with tickets priced from £12.50.
Double Header: Flywheel & Joe Cullen at The Cellar Bar
Flywheel, a four-piece covers band spanning six decades, will perform from 8:30pm, followed by Joe Cullen with his repertoire including hits from Ed Sheeran, The 1975, Oasis, and more. Free entry.
Adult DVD + Max Fulcrum & The Win + Jaws the Shark at Bedford Esquires
Leeds dance-rock collective Adult DVD will return with new self-produced singles. The event guarantees infectious hooks and grooves for an energetic night. The show starts at 7.30pm, with tickets priced at £10.
Sunday 14 July 2024
Bedford Flea Market
Head to St Paul’s Square at 10am for the Bedford Flea, Affordable Art, and Local Produce Market. Enjoy browsing stalls, live music, and food options. Combine the visit with a stroll along the river.
Guided Walk: Bedford in WWII
Discover Bedford's role during World War II on a guided walk starting at 11am at the gold postbox in St Paul’s Square. Learn about Bedford as a BBC hub and its connections to Bletchley Park. Tickets are £4/£2.
Live Music with John Verity and Max Milligan at The Castle
Enjoy acoustic rock covers by John Verity from the band Argent and Bedford’s finest Max Milligan at The Castle from 2pm to 5pm. Free entry.
The Unusual Adventures of Robin Hood
Hobgoblin Theatre Company presents "The Unusual Adventures of Robin Hood" at The Place Theatre. This outdoor production features audience interaction, physical comedy, and singing. Event starts at 3pm, with tickets starting at £8.
Special Exhibitions and Recurring Events
Rediscovering Black Portraiture at The Higgins Bedford
Rediscover famous and lesser-known Black portraiture paintings recreated by Peter Brathwaite during lockdown. The exhibition is free to enter.
Edward Bawden & Me at The Higgins Bedford
Celebrate the work of contemporary British artists inspired by Edward Bawden. Free entry and open until further notice.
Panacea: A Cure for All Ills Exhibition at the Panacea Museum
Explore the origins and international impact of the Panacea Society's healing ministry. Open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Free entry.
Cocktails, Quiz Night & Karaoke at The Cellar Bar
Every Thursday from 5pm, join the fun at The Cellar Bar for a quiz night followed by karaoke. Entry is £2 per person, with a round of shots and the jackpot for the winning team.
Cocktail Mixology Masterclass at The Cellar Bar
Join Marley, the resident mixologist, every Saturday at 3pm for a cocktail mixology masterclass. Learn to create outstanding cocktails. Entry is £30 per person.
Open Mic Night at The Cellar Bar
Every Sunday, The Cellar Bar hosts an open mic night from 7.30pm. An opportunity for performers to showcase their talents.
Theatre highlights by Paula Walker
