| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Star Club New Year Head of the River | Jan 11th | The Embankment |
| Bedford 5 & 10K | Jan 25th | The Embankment and Priory Country Park |
| SuperRan | Jan 31st | Mowsbury Park |
Our calendar of events on Bedford Borough Council parkland throughout 2026.
Thurston's Funfair and Gumbles Fun Zone Fair
Both the Thurston’s Funfair and Gumbles Fun Zone Fair operate on multiple dates throughout the year, more information can be found below.
Thurston’s Funfair
A token operated funfair for the whole family to enjoy!
Gumbles Fun Zone Fair
Jam-packed children's fun zone fair operating a pay on entry system with unlimited rides once inside.
2026 events
January
February
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford 4s & 8s Head of the River | Feb 15th | The Embankment |
| Bedford Half and 10km | Feb 22nd | The Embankment and Priory Country Park |
March
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Assemble Run Event | March 8th | Mowsbury Park |
| Bedford and Ouse Valley Bridge Walk | March 8th | The Embankment |
| Rivercare | March 21st | The Embankment |
| Football Frenzy | March 30th-April 1st | Mowsbury Park |
April
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Football Frenzy | March 30th-April 1st | Mowsbury Park |
| Gumbles Wristband Event | April 9th-12th &18th-19th | Goldington Green |
| Pick N Mix Running Event | April 12th | Mowsbury Park |
| Eat Feast (TBC) | April 24th | Russell Park |
| Harrold Pit Run | April 25th | Harrold-Odell Country Park |
May
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| SAY Community Moves | May 3rd | Russell Park & Embankment |
| Gumbles Wristband Event | May 9th-10th & 16th-17th | Mowsbury Park |
| Bedford Amateur Regatta | May 9th | The Embankment and Longhome Way |
| Scouts Activity Day | May 10th | The Embankment |
| James Richards Circus | May 17th -25th | Great Denham Country Park |
| Fake Festival | May 30th | Bedford Park |
June
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Eid Bedford | June 6th & 7th | Addison Howard Park |
| Gumbles Wristband Event | June 6th & 7th | Great Denham Country Park |
| Beds AAA 10K | June 26th | Priory Country Park Track |
July
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford Summer Sessions - Deacon Blue | July 2nd | Bedford Park |
| Bedford Summer Sessions - UB40 Feat. Ali Campbell | July 3rd | Bedford Park |
| Bedford Summer Sessions - Tom Grennan | July 4th | Bedford Park |
| Bedford Summer Sessions - Paul Weller | July 5th | Bedford Park |
| Shaheedi Sports Tournament | June 27th & 28th | Hillgrounds |
| Bedford River Festival | July 18th & 19th | The Embankment / Russell Park / Priory/ St Marys & Town Centre |
| Doug Anderson 5km | July 22nd | Bedford Park |
| Gumbles Wristband Event | July 23rd to 26th | Bedford Park |
| Race for Life | July 25th | Priory Country Park |
August
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Music in the Meadows | August 2nd | Mill Meadows Bandstand |
| Music in the Meadows | August 9th | Mill Meadows Bandstand |
| Gumbles Wristband Event | August 6th-16th | Russell Park |
| Original Culture Festival | August 15th & 16th | Priory Country Park |
| Music in the Meadows | August 16th | Mill Meadows Bandstand |
| Bedford Harrier Triathlon | August 16th | The Embankment and Russell Park |
| Kempston Family Day | August 22nd | Addison Howard Park |
| Music in the Meadows | August 23rd | Mill Meadows Bandstand |
| Totally 90s Festival | August 29th | Everards Meadow (off Longholme Way) |
| Music in the Meadows | August 30th | Mill Meadows Bandstand |
| Great Denham Village Fete | August 30th | Great Denham Country Park |
September
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford Running Festival | September 4th-6th | Russell Park, Embankment, Priory Country Park |
| Gumbles Wristband Event | September 19th-20th | Goldington Green |
| Eat Feast | September 25th | Russell Park |
October
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Russell Circus | October 19th - 1st Nov | Longholme Way |
November
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Russell Circus | October 19th - 1st Nov | Longholme Way |
| Bedford 10k & Half Marathon | November 1st | The Embankment & Priory Country Park |
December
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Keech Santa Run | December 13th | The Embankment / Mill Meadows |