Park events calendar

Our calendar of events on Bedford Borough Council parkland throughout 2025.

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.

Event	Date	Location
Parkrun New Year's Day	1 January	Bedford Park
New Year Head	12 January	The Embankment
Wassail	14 January	Mowsbury Hillfort
Air Quality stand	20 January	Bedford Park
Air Quality stand	21 January	Russell Park
Bedford 5 & 10 Miler	26 January	The Embankment and Priory Country Park

Event	Date	Location
Bedford 4s and 8s Head of The River	9 February	The Embankment
Bedford 10k and Half Marathon	23 February	The Embankment and Priory Country Park
ITV Filming	24 or 25 February	Russell Park

Event	Date	Location
Plantlife stall	1 March	Harrold-Odell Country Park
Easter Trail	5-21 March	Priory Country Park
Thunder races Harrold-Odell 10k, 25k & 50k	8 March	Harrold-Odell Country Park
Love Light Walk	15 March	Kempston Mill
Rivercare	22 March	St Mary's Gardens
Eat Feast	28 March	Riverside Square
Plantlife stall	28 March	Priory Country Park
Junior Aquathlon	30 March	Bedford Park

Event	Date	Location
Gumbles Wristband Fair	5-13 April	Goldington Green
Easter Trail	5-21 April	Priory Country Park
Bedford Spring Small Boats Head of the River	13 April	The Embankment
Eat Feast	25 April	Riverside Square
Harrold Pit Run	26 April	Harrold-Odell Country Park

Event	Date	Location
James Richards Circus	1-5 May	Great Denham
Elstow May Festival	3 May	Elstow Green
Romanian Labour Day	5 May	Addison Howard Park
Bedford Amateur Regatta	10 May	The Embankment and Longhome Way
Gumbles Wristband Fair	10-11 & 17-18 May	Mowsbury Park
Stride out for Memory	17 May	Priory Country Park
Run Beyond Boarders	17 May	Bedford Park
Thurstons Funfair	19 May - 2 June	Addison Howard Park
Lifepath	20-22 May	Elstow Green
Fake Festival	24 May	Bedford Park
Eat Feast	30 May	Riverside Square
Gumbles Wristband Fair	30th May - 1 June	Great Denham

Event	Date	Location
Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park	8 June	Bedford Park
Eid Bedford	14-15 June	Addison Howard Park
Beds AAA	20 June	Priory Country Park (track only)
Bedford Kite and Motoring Festival	21-22 June	Russell Park, Embankment and Mill Meadows
Shaheedi Football Tournament	28-29 June	Hillgrounds
Bedford Park Concerts	27 June – 13 July	Bedford Park
Eat Feast	27 June	Riverside Square

Event	Date	Location
Music in the Meadows	3 August	Mill Meadows Bandstand
Gumbles Wristband Fair	7-10 and 14-17 August	Russell Park
Music in the Meadows	10 August	Mill Meadows Bandstand
Music in the Meadows	17 August	Mill Meadows Bandstand
Bedford Harriers Triathlon	17 August	Russell Park and The Embankment
Original Culture Events Ltd	16-17 August	Priory Country Park
Great Denham Village Fete	23 or 24 August	Great Denham Country Park
Music in the Meadows	24 August	Mill Meadows Bandstand
Eat Feast	29 August	Riverside Square
Gumbles Wristband Fair	29-31 August	Goldington Green
Music in the Meadows	31 August	Mill Meadows Bandstand

Event	Date	Location
Bedford Running Festival	6-7 September	Russell Park, The Embankment and Priory Country Park
Eat Feast	26 September	Riverside Square
Girl Guide Bridge Walk	28 September	The Embankment

Event	Date	Location
Bedford Starlight Hike	11 October	Longholme Way and The Embankment
Junior Aquathlon	12 October	Bedford Park
Uncle Sam's American Circus	22 October - 2 November	Longholme Way

Event	Date	Location
Uncle Sam's American Circus	22 October - 2 November	Longholme Way
Bedford 10k and Half Marathon	2 November	The Embankment and Priory Country Park

Event	Date	Location
Keech Santa Run	8 December	The Embankment and Mill Meadows