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.  

2025 events

January

 

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
     

February

 

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

March

 

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

April

 

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

May

 

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 

June

 

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

July

 

Event Date Location
Bedford Park Concerts 27 June – 13 July Bedford Park
Thurstons Funfair 21 July -4 August Longholme Way
Doug Anderson 5km 23 July Bedford Park
Gumbles Wristband Fair 24-27 July Bedford Park
Race for Life 25-27 July Priory Country Park
Eat Feast 31 July Riverside Square

August

 

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

September

 

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

October

 

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 

November

 

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

December

 

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