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. 

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.

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.

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

Children can join for free and earn rewards for reading library books from their local library, plus there are loads of free craft activities to enjoy too!

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 a library.

Explore Learning are proud to sponsor The Summer Reading Challenge Library Zone for 2025. They are delighted to be able to offer this free workshop centred around this year's Summer Reading Challenge theme, ‘Story Garden’ for children aged 5-11.

This story-writing workshop has been designed by Explore Learning’s expert curriculum developers. Explore Learning tutors will coach children to develop their story-writing skills through a series of challenges and puzzles. By the end of the hour they will have created a magical story for a young book bee who needed their own unique story.

Children will undertake a journey into an enchanted world called ‘The Hidden Glade’ with a young book bee who hasn’t got a story yet. This workshop is suitable for all 5-11 year olds whether writing comes easily or not. The team will coach your child to use their imagination, overcome challenges and get excited about story-telling! Register today.

Make a splash this summer at Oasis Beach Pool, Bedford with their fun-filled holiday programme designed for all ages.

Whether you're bringing little ones for their first swim, diving into some serious family fun, or looking for an early swim session for those aged 60+, there’s something for everyone - every day of the week from 9am.

Each morning, 9-10am, there are different activities, such as Aqua Aerobics, Swim for 60+, Swim for All, and Swim for under 5s.

Then, from 10am every day, it's Family Fun Swims with the wave machine, flumes (for ages 8+), lazy river, shallow toddler pool, small toddler slide, Bubbles Burst Zone, and floats and rings to ride.

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.

This event is free entry, featuring a community stage with music and performances, animal farm and petting zoo, children's activities and more!

Milton Keynes Brass is a renowned British-style community brass band founded in 1984.

Known for their rich sound and musical versatility, they have won multiple regional championships and toured internationally.

Their engaging performances blend traditional brass band music with contemporary pieces, making them a highlight for brass enthusiasts and families alike.

This runs 3-5pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnics and seating, with limited deckchairs available on site. For the convenience of visitors, a portable toilet will also be provided at the event.

All the fun of the fair returns to the meadow!

Do you know a young person aged 11-16 who's looking for something fun to do this summer in Bedford town centre?

They can come get messy, colourful, and creative at these free drop in art workshops.

Wednesday 6 August is Lucky Charms, and they're making bracelets, keyrings, phone/bag charms.

Our Family Hubs and Children's Centres team have teamed up with Bedford Giving to develop a relaxed space where young people can paint, draw, design, and express themselves - no experience needed, they just need to bring their imagination!

📍 Central Family Hub, 30 Allhallows, Bedford MK40 1LN

📅 Every Wednesday in August

🕑 Drop in anytime between 2–4pm

No booking, no pressure, just pure creative vibes.

Rides and inflatables for children.

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

These Saturday craft markets have different local craft traders and free workshop/performance every 2nd 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.

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 to 3pm, this month due to refurbishment works in St Paul's Square the market will be in Harpur Square.

We invite residents of all ages to come together, 10am-12pm, to help clean and care for our town centre, from Riverside Square through to St Cuthbert’s Street.

This event offers an opportunity for local people to come together and make a positive environmental impact.

Participants can also enjoy a healthy walk, make new friends, and strengthen community bonds while showing their pride and support for our town centre.

May Blossom, Vintage Songbird brings nostalgic charm with her vintage-style vocals, performing classic songs from around 1900 to the mid 1960s and wartime songs that resonate with Bedford’s musical heritage.

This runs 3-5pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnics and seating, with limited deckchairs available on site. For the convenience of visitors, a portable toilet will also be provided at the event.

Painting - Paint canvases with visiting artist Lemonpop Workshops.

Our Family Hubs and Children's Centres team have teamed up with Bedford Giving to develop a relaxed space where young people can paint, draw, design, and express themselves - no experience needed, they just need to bring their imagination.

📍 Central Family Hub, 30 Allhallows, Bedford MK40 1LN

📅 Every Wednesday in August

🕑 Drop in anytime between 2–4pm

No booking, no pressure, just pure creative vibes.

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

This unique event invites children to enjoy a free, sand pit experience right in the heart of Bedford, 10am-4pm each day.

Families can look forward to a safe and fun environment where kids can dig, build, and play in real sand, bringing a splash of beachside joy to the town centre.

Bedford Beach Week is designed to encourage outdoor play and community togetherness, offering a perfect summer treat for local residents and visitors alike.

Fynnius Fogg, a legendary 1970s pop and rock band from Bedford, reunites to support local causes with their timeless hits, demonstrating Bedford’s enduring musical spirit.

This runs 2-5pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnics and seating, with limited deckchairs available on site. For the convenience of visitors, a portable toilet will also be provided at the event.

Working with Clay - Sculpting with coloured airdrying clay.

Our Family Hubs and Children's Centres team have teamed up with Bedford Giving to develop a relaxed space where young people can paint, draw, design, and express themselves - no experience needed, they just need to bring their imagination.

📍 Central Family Hub, 30 Allhallows, Bedford MK40 1LN

📅 Every Wednesday in August

🕑 Drop in anytime between 2–4pm

No booking, no pressure, just pure creative vibes.

Mainline Big Band delivers a dynamic big band experience, featuring two vocalists and a set spanning from the 1920s to modern jazz and swing, captivating audiences with their energy and style.

This runs 3-5pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnics and seating, with limited deckchairs available on site. For the convenience of visitors, a portable toilet will also be provided at the event.

Printing - Print your own t-shirt or tote bag.

Our Family Hubs and Children's Centres team have teamed up with Bedford Giving to develop a relaxed space where young people can paint, draw, design, and express themselves - no experience needed, they just need to bring their imagination.

📍 Central Family Hub, 30 Allhallows, Bedford MK40 1LN

📅 Every Wednesday in August

🕑 Drop in anytime between 2–4pm

No booking, no pressure, just pure creative vibes.

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.

Rides and inflatables for children.

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

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.

The Freedom Jazz Orchestra is a vibrant local jazz ensemble known for their soulful and uplifting performances, blending music of the classic big band era alongside contemporary and modern jazz classics to create a truly memorable sound experience that celebrates freedom, diversity and creativity in music.

This runs 3-5pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnics and seating, with limited deckchairs available on site. For the convenience of visitors, a portable toilet will also be provided at the event.

Check out the latest brochure from Bedford Corn Exchange 

Some highlights for August:

Comedy Night with Tez Ilyas

Supernova Spectaculars

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 free 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.