Your Christmas in Bedford Borough - a season of festive fun for everyone!
This year, we hope to bring you the very best of Christmas in Bedford Borough, with a range of exciting events and activities happening across the festive season.
Packed with joy, excitement, family-friendly festivities and a wide array of events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, from light displays to live music and markets. We look forward to seeing you support local businesses and enjoying everything Bedford town centre has to offer.
Christmas activities in Bedford town centre are part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Our libraries and The Higgins Bedford
All Bedford Borough Libraries will have free craft sessions for families, details will be available soon on www.bedford.gov.uk/Libraries.
The Higgins Bedford is free to explore, with all sorts of exhibitions, displays, talks, tours, and activities for people of all ages. For families, the team have planned free activities, such as a storytelling session and a family Crafternoon, plus there’s a craft workshop in the new year. Learn more and find out what’s planned at www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk.
Getting to Bedford town centre
It's free to park in Queen Street multi-storey car park for the first two hours Monday to Friday. It’s also free to park for the first two hours every Saturday in all Council-owned town centre single and multi-storey car parks, and free to park all day in all Council-owned town centre car parks on Sundays. Find out more about parking in Bedford town centre on our parking webpages.
Don't forget that bus fares remain at just £3 each way, and there are plenty of places to lock your bike in the town centre too. There is now a free bike shelter in Bedford town centre on the corner of the Harpur Centre and opposite St Paul’s Church, where you can safely store your bike via a smart phone app. For more information, please contact sustainable.transport@bedford.gov.uk and they will email you the instructions.
November events
Saturday 22: Bedford Christmas Lights Switch On
This much-loved event takes place midday-6pm in Harpur Square, Bedford town centre, creating a magical atmosphere with live music, carols, delicious food, and family-friendly activities including a free face-painter and colouring-in in the Harpur Suite from 2pm. The Mayor of Bedford Borough, Tom Wootton, will perform the much-anticipated switch-on of the Christmas lights, signalling the start of the holiday festivities at 4pm.
| Times | Name of Artist or Choir/Studio |
|---|---|
| 12 -12.45pm | Song Squad, Street Squad & Show Squad |
| 12.50-1:30pm | ELEV8 Dance Studios |
| 1.30-2pm | Special Stage by Aladdin |
| 2-2.30pm | Rock Choir |
| 2.30-3pm | The Collaboration Choir |
| 3-3.30pm | Junior Spotlight Singers from Castle Newnham School |
| 3.30-4pm | Switch on and sing along: Bedford Youth Community Gospel Choir |
| 4-4.15pm | Switch on and sing along: Bedford Youth Community Gospel Choir |
| 4.30-5pm | Stagecoach Bedford Choir |
| 5-6pm | Christmas Disco - Bedford Radio |
Saturday 29 and Sunday 30: Harpur Square Christmas Gig
Bedford Music Service is back with their showcase stage - celebrating a term of hard work and amazing music-making! Over 200 students will be performing across the weekend in choirs, jazz bands, rock bands, steel pans, orchestras, and more.
Expect dhol drummers, rappers, beatboxers, DJs, and some incredible solo acts. Come along, support our young musicians, explore the stalls, and grab some lunch while soaking up the sounds of Bedford’s vibrant music community.
This is supported by funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Sunday 30: Kempston Christmas Lights Switch On
Our Markets Team will be supporting Kempston Town Council in delivering the Kempston light switch on at the Kempston Saxon Centre from Midday-6pm.
Lights will be turned on at 4pm with a special guest from the North Pole.
Throughout the day there will be craft and gift stalls, delicious food, live entertainment, kids rides and more.
December events in Bedford town centre
Thursday 4: Aurie Styla’s Christmas Crack-Up at Bedford Corn Exchange
After a year of performing worldwide, award-winning comedian Aurie Styla is back on tour, with his biggest one to date.
As seen on Deep Fake Neighbour Wars (ITVX), Comedy Central Live, Jonathan Ross’ Comedy Club (ITV), Life’s A Pitch (Sky), Don’t Hate The Playaz (ITV), The Stand-Up Sketch Show (ITV2), Mo Gilligan’s Black British & Funny (C4) and more
Learn more and book tickets at www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk/events/aurie-styla
Friday 5: Puggle Club for under 5s at The Higgins Bedford
A chance to get creative, have fun, and socialise.
It’s a drop-in activity, so no need to book. Just pop in any time, 10.30am-midday or 1-2.30pm and stay for as long as you like. Learn more at www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Family_Events
Friday 5: ABBA-Merry Christmas at Bedford Corn Exchange
Get ready to say “Mamma Mia!” this festive season as ABBA-MERRY Christmas brings you the ultimate festive party!
It’s time to “Take a Chance” on a night filled with all your favourite ABBA hits, with a few holiday classics thrown in, plus plenty of “Dancing Queen” moments too. With a fabulous ABBA tribute and a sensational live band, this is your chance to deck the halls with sparkling lights and celebrate Christmas like never before. Whether you’re a die-hard ABBA fan or just love a good festive sing-along, your friends will be saying “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” a ticket to this fantastic show!
Learn more and book tickets: www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk/events/abba-merry-christmas.
Saturday 6 and Sunday 7: Bedford Christmas Craft Market and Outdoor Cinema
Harpur Square will host Bedford Flea and Affordable Art and Local Produce while the Harpur Suite offers a variety of around 30 local crafters with unique, handcrafted gifts perfect for Christmas presents, from artisanal decorations to bespoke jewellery and festive treats. There will also be a large screen showing Christmas films from 10am-8pm, a bar, and food available to purchase.
Saturday 6: Letters to Santa, a free craft session at Bedford Central Library
Learn more at www.bedford.gov.uk/Libraries.
Sunday 7: Step into Christmas at Bedford Corn Exchange
This Christmas feel-good show brings all the magic of the season to life, with all your favourite songs you will know and love!
Including All I Want for Christmas Is You, Last Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, Stay Another Day, Let it Snow, White Christmas, Do They Know it’s Christmas, A Winter’s Tale, Merry Xmas Everybody, and many many more!
Learn more and book tickets at www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk/events/step-into-christmas.
Saturday 13: Christmas Sing-a-long
Head to Harur Square for a wonderful Christmas sing-a-long, midday-4pm.
Saturday 13: Bedford Choral Society Christmas Concert at Bedford Corn Exchange
A Christmas concert for all the family from 3pm! There is a selection of traditional
Christmas carols and also well loved Christmas music, new and old.
This year we will be joined by the choirs of Great Denham and Sharnbrook
primary schools.
A perfect way to come out of the cold and enjoy the warm spirit of Christmas.
Learn more and book tickets at www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk/events/bedford-choral-society-christmas-concert
Saturday 13: Santa Storytime and Christmas Colouring at Bedford Central Library
Families are invited along from 11.30am, find out more at www.bedford.gov.uk/Libraries.
Sunday 14: Sunday Crafternoon for families at The Higgins Bedford
Crafternoons are a free, monthly creative activity sessions for families to have a go at 'making' together and enjoy the chance to get creative. All resources are provided. Suitable for under 12s. Learn more at www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Family_Events
Sunday 14: Bedford Santa Run 2025 on The Embankment
Get that Christmas feeling by joining hundreds of Santas running around the The Embankment in Bedford. Run, walk or jog with all the family – you can even bring the dog!
Santa suits are provided and you can celebrate at the end with a medal and a mince pie. Come and join in the fun and help Keech continue to provide our specialist care for our patients, and their families.
Learn more and book your space at www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk/events/santa-run-2025.
Saturday 20: Christmas Cards family craft session at Bedford Central Library
Learn more at www.bedford.gov.uk/Libraries.
Saturday 20 Wednesday 31: Aladdin - The Pantomime at Bedford Corn Exchange
This classic tale tells the story of Aladdin, the poor street urchin who falls in love with a beautiful Princess but is thwarted at every opportunity by the evil scheming Abanazar, advisor to the Queen.
Will Aladdin keep the lamp? What would your three wishes be?
A family friendly production with all the slapstick and comedy expected from a traditional pantomime. Jam packed with classic tunes old and new together with audience participation, an excellent treat for all the family.
Relaxed performance 29 December at 1-4.30pm.
Learn more and book your tickets at www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk/events/aladdin-2.
Sunday 28: Storytelling in the Gallery at The Higgins Bedford
Join Toby's Tall Tales as children are engaged with an immersive story reading experience that uses resources such as puppets, drawings, songs and the artwork from the gallery. Ideal for ages up to 7.
Learn more and book at www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Family_Events.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
For more information, visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.