Welcome

Welcome to the Bedford Borough Councils Events website, home of the River Festival & the Corn Exchange, Bedford's Premiere entertainment venue.

Dragonboat Racing - Sunday 21st July

We are pleased to annouce that Dragonboat Racing returns to the Embankment on Sunday 21st July.

Over twenty crews are expected to battle it out on the River Great Ouse, if you are interested in entering a team then click on the image below for application information.

River Festival 2014

We can now confirm the dates for the 2014 Bedford River Festival will be Saturday 19th & Saturday 20th July.

We are currently producing all tender and trade documents so if you wish to receive any of our information please email events@bedford.gov.uk to be added to our database.

Bedfringe - Evening Concerts in Harpur Square

We are pleased to announce that in partnership with Bedfringe we will be closiong Harpur Square for three consecutive evenings in July for live outdoor performances.

Thursday 25th July: Shakespeare - Much Ado About Nothing

Friday 26th July: Comedy Club

Saturday 27th July: Music

For more information on these performances please click on the events link on the right hand side of the website.

Summer Bandstand Concerts 2013

The Bedford Summer Bandstand Concert Series returns to Mill Meadows again in 2013.

Following the same format as previous years, bands will perform from 3pm - 5pm on Sundays across the Summer unless stated.

Sunday 26th May - Saxophrenia

Sunday 21st July - Salvation Army (12.30-2.30pm), Bedford Saxophone Workshop

Sunday 28th July - Heath Band

Sunday 4th August - Bedford Town band

Sunday 11th August - The Rhythm Express

Sunday 18th August - Hitchin Band

Sunday 25th August - Bedford Town Decibels

Battle of the Bands 2013

The second Battle of the Bands competition took centre stage on Monday 27th May with 5 acts taking to our Rusell Park stage in front of record crowds

Following the competition, the judges decision was that our runner up, and the recipient of a Marshall Amp were 'The Cracked'. Our winner, and now supporting the Blow Monkeys at their gig at the Bedford Corn Exchange on Friday 5th July was...KAM SINGH.

A massive thanks to all bands that took part and for those that came along to support during the day.

Bedford International Kite Festival

The 2013 Bedford International Kite Festival was a huge success, we had great weather, some wind (for a change) and the event saw record visitor numbers across the two days.

A massive thanks to the thousands that came along to support the event. We will be updating our Kite Festival pages of the website shortly.

Faulty Towers Experience Thurs 18 July

Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience

Basil, Sybil and Manuel visit The Bedford Corn Exchange for the first time this summer, bringing with them a two-hour eat, drink and laugh sensation. This pitch perfect tribute to Fawlty Towers starts as the audience waits to be seated then hurtles along for two hours of fully immersive, highly improvised and site-specific comedy theatre. With only a third of the show scripted, everything stays fresh as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve some madcap mayhem and a three-course meal – with the audience playing the part of their restaurant diners. If you have any dietary requirements please ensure you inform us prior to the event day.

Outdoor Performances in Harpur Square - Thurs 25 - Sat 27 July

More information will appear here shortly

The Blow Monkeys - Fri 5 July

The Blow Monkeys

The Blow Monkeys were formed in July 1981 and made their recorded debut on the tiny independent imprint, Parasol, in January 1982. The band’s idiosyncratic pop songs secured a record deal with RCA, inked in July 1983.

The Blow Monkeys debut LP Limping For A Generation was released the following year, produced by Jam/Style Council sound manicurist Pete Wilson. With a new album scheduled for 2013 The Blow Monkeys continue to flourish and grow on a journey that after 30 years shows no sign of slowing…

www.theblowmonkeys.com

Henning Wehn - Fri 7 June

Henning Wehn - Henning Knows Bestest

German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn is a fountain of knowledge. There’s no shortcut to success, hard work will eventually pay off and there is no shame in paying tax. But what he knows bestest is that his comedy shows are a guaranteed success. Either he’s funny or he confirms a national stereotype. It’s a win-win situation. Wunderbar!

Recent TV and radio appearances include 8 Out Of 10 Cats (Channel 4) The Matt Lucas Awards (BBC1), QI (BBC2),

Dave’s One Night Stand (Dave, obviously), The Unbelievable Truth and The Now Show (BBC Radio 4), Fighting Talk (BBC Five Live) and his own six part BBC Radio2 series Henning Knows Best.

Bedford: Bamberg Beer Festival

More information will appear here shortly