This October, The Higgins Bedford will burst into life with the return of Fun Palaces, a vibrant community celebration filled with free, hands-on activities and events designed for all ages. Taking place on Saturday, 4 October, 11am-4pm, visitors can enjoy a remarkable day exploring creativity and culture through a wide range of engaging experiences such as photography, juggling, dancing, virtual reality exploring, and much more.
Fun Palaces 2025 is part of a nationwide campaign that places culture at the heart of community and community at the heart of culture. The annual Fun Palaces Weekend takes place from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 October and brings together people from all walks of life to co-create extraordinary free events inspired by local passions and talents. Since its inception in 2014, the movement has involved over 45,000 creators and attracted 800,000 participants through 2,500 unique Fun Palaces across the UK.
At The Higgins Bedford, visitors will have the opportunity to try their hand at circus skills, learn juggling tricks, explore portrait photography, discover traditional rushwork crafts, meet the Nritham dancers, dive into the borough’s airship heritage through immersive VR experiences, and celebrate personal achievements big and small with the team from Profess(ional) Box. All activities are free to the public, making this an inclusive event designed to inspire creativity and connection across the community.
Councillor Sarah Gallagher, Portfolio Holder for Customer Experience, Leisure and Culture, said, “The Fun Palaces event at The Higgins Bedford is a fantastic celebration of the vibrant and diverse talents within our community. It’s a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to come together, learn new skills, and enjoy cultural experiences that highlight the unique spirit of Bedford Borough. We are proud to support Fun Palaces, which truly reflects our commitment to making culture accessible and engaging for everyone.”
Fun Palaces unite arts, science, craft, technology, heritage and sport, but above all, they bring people together to create, collaborate, and have fun. The Higgins Bedford has proudly supported Fun Palaces since the beginning, and this year’s event promises to be an inspiring showcase of local connections and creativity.
Join us for a day of fun, learning, and celebration at The Higgins Bedford this October!
The Higgins Bedford has been a proud supporter of Fun Palaces since the beginning and this year the event is a brilliant, dynamic celebration of their community connections.
The Higgins Bedford is located on Castle Lane, Bedford, MK40 3XD. For more information on this event, exhibitions and workshops, please visit: www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Home.aspx
Fun Palaces is supported using public funding from Arts Council England as part of The Higgins Bedford’s National Portfolio Organisation programme.