Bedford Events

03/06/2026

With pleasure we welcome back the Green Earth Vegan Lounge to the Bedford River Festival 2026 work8ng with team from the Green Earth Café

The Green Earth Vegan Lounge will be returning to Bedford River Festival on 18th/19th July! At our new location at the front of Castle Mound we'll be creating the same relaxed vibe as before - vegan food, drink and products, Nature and eco themed children's activities by Parents for Future and the inspirational Forest of Marston Vale plus traditional countryside craft demos, including wood turning by NothingLikeWood. For the first time we'll be introducing Bedford's new Wellbeing Hub and music will be by the brilliant Remedy Collective, cool music to enjoy while relaxing in the Chill Tent... It's going to be a really amazing weekend. We're all connecting together, with support from our sponsors Forest of Marston Vale and Midas Pattern Company Ltd to create a fantastic vibe, reflected in our event poster by Katie Allen ❤️

03/06/2026

Another sponsor that we are grateful to and proud to work with again.

03/06/2026

Universal and Gallagher Developments to sponsor the Bedford River Festival 2026

Gallagher Developments Ltd and Universal Destinations & Experiences will be the headline sponsors at this summer’s Bedford River Festival.

The biannual event takes place this year over the weekend of 18-19 July and it is planned to be a great event for all the family. It is one the largest free community events in the country and takes place across a 107-acre site alongside the River Great Ouse in the centre of Bedford.

The River Festival draws visitors from across the country, for entertainment both on and off the water. Highlights include the famous Dragon Boat Races and Raft Races where teams race each other along the Embankment, the Water Sports Arena, boat parades, fun fair and rides, arts and culture, along with and live music and other entertainers.

You can also enjoy the various food and drink and other stalls – or pop into Bedford to sample the many thriving businesses the town centre has to offer.

Gidon Freeman, Vice-President External Affairs at Universal Destinations & Experiences said; “We’re delighted to sponsor this year’s Bedford River Festival. Our proposed project will be transformational for Bedford and we want to embed ourselves in the local community. This is a fantastic event which we know is so enjoyed locally.”

Tom Wootton, Mayor of Bedford Borough said; “Our beloved River Festival is a part of what makes our county town so great – and soon Universal will be too.

“Just like Gallagher Developments, they have a commitment to embracing our town, our borough, and our community. And they also love to have fun – and I know there will be plenty to enjoy at this year’s River Festival!

“With Universal and Gallagher on board, I predict this will be the most fun River Festival to date!”

Gallagher Developments is a strategic land promoter with experience dating back over 50 years and, as a master developer, has delivered thousands of homes, employment land, schools, and community facilities across Bedfordshire. Gallagher Developments continue to work to deliver sustainable communities across Bedford Borough in order to provide much needed homes and wider communities.

A spokesperson said; “We are pleased to once again be able to support the delivery of Bedford’s River Festival this year, with a fantastic weekend of festivities for the whole family to enjoy. The Council has worked tirelessly in recent years to secure and deliver significant investment in the town centre and its surroundings. The river festival provides a great opportunity for local families and communities to celebrate everything that makes Bedford such a vibrant place to live, work and visit.”

Other sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information on this or other ways to be involved in the River Festival please visit www.bedford.gov.uk/riverfestival or contact [email protected]

29/05/2026

Local star Tom Grennan is coming home to play in Bedford Park on the 4th July as part of the Bedford Summer Sessions weekend.

If you are one of thousands who already have your ticket booked, did you know that ticket upgrades are available via clicking this link https://smmrsessions.com/locations/bedford/bedfordupgrades

Not already got a ticket? The last few tickets are still available and can be found along with more information about the other concerts at https://www.smmrsessions.com/locations/bedford

Bedford Summer Sessions are sponsors of the Bedford River Festival 2026

22/05/2026

At a Fujifilm event promoting the raft race

15/05/2026

Bedford River Festival 2026 sponsors Bedford Summer Sessions are bring 4 nights of fantastic acts to Bedford Park two weeks before the River Festival.

The first of these is on Thursday 2nd July with the amazing Deacon Blue with special guest Lightning Seeds.

To get your tickets or for more information please visit https://www.smmrsessions.com/locations/bedford

02/02/2026

Our Flagship community clean up is returning this spring and all are welcome to come along and help us in cleaning up The Embankment and surrounding areas. The event takes place from 10am-12noon based from The Suspension Bridge and we just ask that you wear suitable clothing, and sturdy footwear, all other equipment will be provided.
Hope to see you there!

20/01/2026

We are happy to announce that The Harpur Trust will be Sponsoring the Community Stage at the Bedford River Festival. The Harpur Trust are long time supporters of the event and the Community Stage which provides a platform for all of the great local talent that we have to perform to the crowds.

Lucy Bardner, Community Programmes Director at The Harpur Trust, said: “We’re thrilled to sponsor the Community Stage at the Bedford River Festival again this year. The festival is one of Bedford’s most treasured events, and the Community Stage is a fantastic platform for local talent. From music and dance to theatre and community performances, we love giving Bedfordians their moment to shine...

“What makes the River Festival so special is the way it brings people from all backgrounds and generations across the borough together to celebrate community, creativity and connection. We’re passionate about building communities that are stronger, healthier and happier together. We do this through our grants programme, investing over £1m annually to improve local lives, through championing education through our schools and bursaries, the HEART Academies Trust, and programmes helping children from low-income families make rapid progress at school. We are founding partners and hosts of Bedford Giving - a movement dedicated to creating a brighter future for the next generation. For us, being part of inclusive events like the River Festival are so important in finding out what matters to local people and keeping our work relevant.

“We can’t wait to see how the River Festival will evolve this year and watch the incredible talent and community spirit on the Community Stage – come and have a chat to us when you’re there!”

19/01/2026

Bedford Events are happy to announce a new Friend of the River Festival sponsor for the 2026 event.
Welcome onboard Kirkby Diamond

A Spokesperson for the company has said 'Kirkby Diamond is thrilled to be sponsoring the Bedford River Festival 2026. As a company deeply rooted in the Bedford community, we believe in supporting events that bring people together and create vibrant experiences for everyone. The festival is a fantastic opportunity to connect with residents and visitors alike, and we’re proud to play our part in making it an unforgettable celebration'.

Thank you for supporting the event.