HAF is back! This summer, we are funding an exciting range of free activities for children and families on benefit related free school meals during the school holidays.

On Thursday 19 June, all parents/carers of eligible children were sent a HAF voucher code and link to book from Holiday Activities, via email and text.

If you are eligible but have not received your voucher
(don’t forget to check your junk email folder) or
have any questions, please contact your school directly.

Places are limited, so booking is essential – don’t miss out on the amazing activities on offer!

You'll get a warm welcome when you join one of North Beds Ramblers walks.

They are a friendly sociable group and walk at a moderate pace. There is no need to book, just turn up!  

Be aware, only assistance dogs are allowed on the walks. 

Students from six different local schools will be bringing their fruits and vegetables grown in the school gardens and learning how to display and sell produce.

Expert traders at Bedford Charter Market will be passing on advice and supporting the children as they run their stall midday-2pm.

Join Climate Clarity for a free, interactive online workshop exploring climate change through the engaging Climate Fresk method.

Open to anyone living or working in Bedford Borough, especially those in public service, education, volunteering, or community roles.

No experience needed – just curiosity!

Learn the climate science, share ideas, and leave feeling confident to inspire change. Funded by the National Lottery Awards for All.

A drop-in creative workshop for children under five years of age. No need to book.

Just pop in any time between 10.30am-midday or 1-2.30pm and stay for as long as you like.

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Join the LTA at Bedford Park for an exhilarating morning of tennis!

These free taster sessions are a fantastic way for children aged 4-15 and Adults of all abilities to try tennis in a fun and supportive environment.

From the Blue/Red group for the youngest enthusiasts (4-7 years) at 10am to Adults (16+ years), at 11.30am, there's a range of sessions tailored to every age.

Book in advance to secure a spot and discover the joy of tennis, all sessions are free and rackets can be provided.

A time travel through LGBTQ+ History and why it still matters today presented by Ezra-Quinn Watson, 11.30am-12.30pm.

The talk is followed by a Bracelet workshop at 2pm with Rainbow Bedfordshire.

Junior Gym and Junior Sports Hall activities are available for young people aged 11–17, at John Bunyan Sports and Fitness. 

Activities are held from Tuesday - Friday between 3.30-6pm, and on Saturdays, from 9am-11am, midday-2pm and 3pm-5pm.

Junior Basketball, Junior five-a-side football, junior badminton and junior table tennis are all available to book online, on the app or in person. The sports hall is available for drops-ins within these times to play with friends!

Please book places in advance.

Drop-in with Bev Fowlston from Bedfordshire Geology Group, 11am–1pm.

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.

Sessions run 11am-1pm and are limited so please  book in advance by emailing thehiggins@bedford.gov.uk

These Saturday craft markets have different local craft traders and free workshop/performance every second Saturday on the Silver Square and along the whole Silver Street!

From soap flower gifts to up-cycled jars and glasses, wax melts to handmade bags and clothes, hand-painted plant pots to knitwear, you will find all high-quality and original crafts that showcase our local crafters’ passion and expertise.

The market runs 9.30am-3.30pm.

11 July 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Bosnian genocide in which over 8,372 Bosniak men and boys were murdered in the space of 72 hours. The date has been marked by the United Nations as an International Day of Remembrance and Reflection.

Join us, 11.30am-12.30pm,  for talks by Sue Beaumont and Paul Salver to mark this important moment of commemoration.

This event is free, however, please book your place in advance.

The Story Garden Summer Reading Challenge launches in Bedford Borough Libraries on Saturday 12 July and finishes on Saturday 6 September.

Visit your local library, join for free and earn rewards for reading library books!

Free crafts and activities at Bedford Borough Libraries

Children are invited to come along to Bedford Borough Libraries to enjoy a free craft every day during the summer holidays, during staffed hours.

Children can make their own panda headbands, create a paper bag dinosaur, and all sorts of other wonderful things.

There will also be activities such as Lego club, Kids club and Story Times.

Find Bedford Borough Libraries in Bedford town centre, Bromham, Kempston, Putnoe and Wootton.

Joining a library is free for people of all ages. Parents or guardians can register children during staffed hours or online at any time, with library cards available for collection in person. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult while in the library.

Your one-stop shop for all things flea, art and produce.

Bedford Flea pride themselves on being the purveyors of quality with the emphasis on locally made, grown and sourced products, from some of our most skilled small businesses and hobbyists.

This market runs on the second Sunday of each month from 10am-3pm, this month due to refurbishment works in St Paul's Square the market will be in Harpur Square.

Attracting an annual audience of over 2,500 people, Bromham Show offers the residents of Bromham and visitors a wide range of fun and interesting activities.

The show includes the main central arena attractions and a wide range of other activities which take place, including nearly 90 exhibition classes. You can get involved by taking part, helping to organise the show, or supporting it through sponsorship.

Join IMPAKT Housing and Support for a fun-filled evening cruising Bedford's River Great Ouse with live music, fully-licensed bar, and raising funds for IMPAKT Housing and Support.

This is a fun and friendly group who meet each month to share stories and make new friends. It's free and there's no need to book, everyone is welcome along, 11am-12.30pm.

The theme this month is: WH Allens and Queens Engineering Works

Join us for some film and oral histories sharing the history of W H Allens and bring your own memories.

Refreshments will be available for just £1.

A history of Bedfordshire Police

Come and discover the history of our local Bedfordshire Police forces curated by the Bedfordshire Police Historical and Museum Society.

he society is run by volunteers who carry out research and maintain a display at Bedfordshire Police HQ.

The display at The Higgins will highlight objects and their stories collected over the decades.

Photo: PC Geoff Whyatt with Police Dog Sabre April 1981

Camera in the Community Exhibition

This exhibition shares the story of Bedford Camera Club, founded in 1906, showcasing highlights of their community projects.

Come and enjoy a rich selection of photographs capturing our local communities including Bedford street photography, Indian Nritham dancers, Ampthill Festival, rush farming and cottage industry and members artwork past to present.

Join trained actor and teacher Toby as he engages children with immersive story reading.

He'll also help children create their own stories using puppets, drawings, songs and the artwork from the gallery.

Ideal for ages up to seven, children must bring along an adult.

Toby's Tall Tales begins at 2.30pm. Please be aware, space in the gallery is limited and is offered on a first come first served basis.

The Funfair returns to the meadow alongside Longholme Way.

Another July and another Bedfringe, with over 100 events across The Quarry Theatre and The Place Theatre in Bedford.                                   

 A new addition to this year’s festival is an event designed with SEN families in mind, the open-air festival is a fully inclusive event where every child, young person, and adult can feel safe, comfortable, and free to be themselves.

Over 18 Edinburgh shows will be hosted, so, if you are planning on visiting 'The Burg' this year, you can free up some of your show diary by getting these in early!

Join the Bedford Harriers A.C. for the annual Doug Anderson 5K at Bedford Park.

This summer, The Higgins Bedford invites families to dive into a vibrant programme of creative workshops and engaging activities designed to inspire children of all ages.

From neon painting and kaleidoscopes to Roman crafts and animal encounters, the museum and art galleries offer a unique blend of art, science, and history to keep young minds curious and entertained throughout the holidays.

Rides and inflatables for children.

Pay for a wristband and enjoy unlimited rides during your session.

Are you ready to feast your senses on Bedford’s best street food?

On the last Friday of the month from March to September, the very best street food traders from across the county come together to bring happy crowds flavours from around the world.

This free, inclusive, and family-friendly event is open to everyone across Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, and Luton. It’s a fantastic opportunity to come together, try a range of activities, and celebrate wellbeing in our communities.

What to expect:

• Taster sessions such as yoga, gym circuits, and seated exercises
• Health assessments, wellbeing advice, and the body stat machine
• Sport tasters including; basketball with Bedford Thunder, inclusive Golf, MMA, Karate 
• Soft play sessions, sensory room sessions, cardio wall sessions, community garden tours 
• Gym tours and information stalls 
• Accessible venue with disability parking, wheelchair access, and lifts.

The event runs 10am-5pm and is proudly delivered by East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) in partnership with GLL and Bedford Borough Council – working together to support healthier, more active communities.

This is a one-day course for children aged 7–11 that offers opportunities to experience a range of musical styles and try out different instruments and musical equipment.

It is a wonderful way for children to have a go at some practical music making and learn about different styles of music in a fun and engaging way.

It runs from 10.30am-2.30pm and is £18.

No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth Racing for.

Enter Cancer Research UK's Race for Life and raise money for life-saving cancer research.

Choose from a 3K, 5K and 10K race, a Pretty Muddy 5K and a Pretty Muddy Kids event too.

Join Bedford Creative Arts for a joyful and imaginative celebration to mark the outcome of thier latest River/ Flow/ Connect workshops- a creative reimagining of the classic sports day, designed for adults and children alike.

Build a wearable artwork, stack the tallest tower, or try your luck at blindfold sculpture building – no experience needed, just curiosity and a bit of team spirit.

Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity offer weekly sessions to promote wellbeing among parents in the peri-natal period – during pregnancy and the first year of baby’s life.

The group will support the wellbeing of parents and parents-to-be by offering group nature-based activities that encompass the Five Ways to Wellbeing – Connection, Be Active, Learn, Take Notice and Give Back.

Kempston Craft Market is on every last Sunday at Saxon Centre, 10am-3.30pm. 

Browse the beautiful collection of crafts, gifts, cakes and scented candles which is perfect in the lovely springtime.

These online sessions allow you to speak with a member of our team in an informal and relaxed environment from 7pm on Microsoft Teams.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about all things fostering.

Please book in advance so the team can send you a link to the meeting.

Have you ever found archaeological objects whilst digging in the garden, taking the dog for a walk or metal detecting?

Would you like to find out more about them?

Matt Fittock, the Finds Liaison Officer for the Portable Antiquities Scheme run by the British Museum can help.

Please book your place in advance.

These youth clubs run during term time, 5.30-7.30pm each week:

Kempston, Hillgrounds Road - Tuesdays

Wixams, Lakeview Village Hall  - Wednesdays

Great Denham, Community Centre - Thursdays

There are games, arts and crafts, snack, projects. A perfect way for young people to spend time with friends!

The club is for young people in school year 7 and above.

Check out the latest brochure from Bedford Corn Exchange 

Some highlights for July:

Stuart Michael - The Psychic Medium

Pop Princesses World Tour

The ABBA Forever tribute

LDN Wrestling

Taylor Mania

There are almost twenty weekly activities, aimed at people aged over 60, which run throughout the year with breaks for Bank Holidays.

From high-impact to low-impact activities such as chair yoga, walking football, pickleball, sitness sessions, swimming, dance and movement sessions and racket sports.

All sessions are pay as you go, so no need to book, and are based at the following venues; John Bunyan Sports & Fitness Centre, Harpur Suite, Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Kempston Pool & Fitness, Church Lane Community Centre, Jubilation Centre and Clapham Village Hall.

Enjoy up to four hours of free parking each day at Lurke Street and Allhallows Car Park.

First two hours parking are free in Queen Street Car Park.

Up to two hours parking every Saturday in all Council-owned town centre single and multi-storey car parks.

Free parking all day every Sunday in Council-owned town centre car parks.

Don't forget that bus fares are just £3, and there are plenty of places to lock your bike in the town centre.

There's also the secure cycle shelter on the corner of the Harpur Centre, email highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk with your full name, address, and contact number to register an account and find details of the app to gain entry.