The Bedford Kite and Motoring Festival will take place on 21 and 22 June 2025.
Please contact events@bedford.gov.uk for further information or if you have any questions.
Where is the Bedford Kite and Motoring Festival?
The event covers Russell Park, Mill Meadows and the Embankment in Bedford (MK40 3PF). For parking the event car park is off Longholme way (MK42 0BX).
Is there a festival programme?
Yes, please download the Bedford Kite and Motoring Festival programme (PDF).
Do I need to buy a ticket?
No – this event is free and open to all. Further details on how to register as a motoring exhibitor will be available in due course.
What time is the event?
The event will run from 10am to 4pm each day. Kite flyers may stop flying earlier than the festival closing time, subject to weather conditions.
What should I do if my child or a vulnerable adult gets lost?
If you are separated from your child or a vulnerable adult you are attending the event with, please report this immediately to the signposted Lost Children’s point where the event staff will assist.
We advise parents to make sure their children have their contact details, e.g. parent’s mobile number on a paper wristband.
Where should I park?
Parking is now located on-site at Mill Meadows Car Park and Meadow, Longholme Way, Bedford, MK42 0BQ
The cost is £5 per vehicle (card payment only).
Can I bring my dog?
Responsible dog owners are welcome with their dogs, however if your pet is upset by large crowds please leave them at home for their own wellbeing. As this is a summer event, the weather may also be too warm for animals and there are only a handful of shaded areas on the event site.
Can I bring my own food and drink?
Yes – although please do not bring any glass bottles or packaging onto the event site. There will also be plenty of caterers and bars offering a wide range of tasty food, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks right across the festival site.
Please don’t forget to responsibly recycle and dispose of all waste in the bins supplied across the event site.
Can I recycle my rubbish at the event?
Yes. Bedford Borough Council asks that everyone attending the event helps us to protect the environment (and to keep our parks looking beautiful). We will be providing many bins across the site, there will be recycling bins for all recyclable waste (please do not put food in these) and general waste bins for all non-recyclable waste.
Will I be able to refill my reusable water bottle at the event?
Yes – we will have standpipes at the event for you to fill your reusable water bottles.
Can I access my house in The Embankment area during the festival?
Yes - The Embankment will only be closed between Shaftesbury Avenue and Bushmead Avenue (with both roads remaining open). Diversion routes are available via Castle Road to access all residential and commercial properties in the area.
Can I fly my kite in the kite flying arena?
No, the main arena is for the invited kite flyers only. Most of their kites are rare and valuable, and if you have been to the event before you will know that if there is too little wind, the flyers will struggle to get their kites in the air, so they need all the space available to launch their displays into the sky.
I would like to trade at this event, how do I sign up?
Trade and catering pitches are now full, but that you for your interest
I would like to bring my motor vehicle to the Bedford Festival of Motoring, can I turn up on the day?
If you have a classic or interesting vehicle that you would like to exhibit at the Bedford Festival of Motoring, you will need to register as an exhibitor ahead of the event. You can register your vehicle via Eventbrite here.