The Bedford Kite and Motoring Festival is postponed

The Bedford Kite and Motoring Festival has been postponed until 2023. We will keep traders, exhibitors, local residents and businesses informed.

Please contact events@bedford.gov.uk for further information or if you have any questions.

Do I need to buy a ticket?

No – this event is free and open to all. If you would like to exhibit a vehicle you will need to register it here.

What time is the event?

Russell Park will open with kite displays and family entertainment from 11am. 

The Embankment will open with a vehicle cavalcade at 12 midday.

The event draws to a close at 5pm on both days. 

Kite flyers may stop flying earlier than the festival closing time, subject to weather conditions.

What should I do if my child or a vulnerable adult gets lost?

If you are separated from your child or a vulnerable adult you are attending the event with, please report this immediately to the Lost Children’s point where the event staff will assist. This point is located on Russell Park, next to the First Aid point. 

We advise parents to make sure their children have their contact details, eg parent’s mobile number on a paper wristband.

Where should I park?

There is no parking at the event site. Town centre car parks will be open throughout the day and many are now open 24 hours, but check before you travel.

Road closure alert - The Embankment road will be closed during the event from Shaftesbury Avenue to Bushmead Avenue.

Can I bring my dog?

Responsible dog owners are welcome, however if your pet is upset by large crowds please leave them at home for their own wellbeing. As this is a summer event, the weather may also be too warm for animals and there are only a handful of shaded areas on the event site.

Can I bring my own food and drink?

Yes – although please do not bring any glass bottles or packaging onto the event site. There will also be plenty of caterers and bars offering a wide range of tasty food, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks right across the festival site.

Please don’t forget to responsibly recycle and dispose of all waste in the bins supplied across the event site. 

Can I recycle my rubbish at the event?

Yes. Bedford Borough Council asks that everyone attending the event helps us to protect the environment (and to keep our parks looking beautiful). We will be providing many bins across the site, there will be recycling bins for all recyclable waste (please do not put food in these) and general waste bins for all non-recyclable waste. 

We will be running a reusable cup scheme on the bars, so do make sure you keep your cup for refills throughout the weekend.

Will I be able to refill my reuseable water bottle at the event?

Yes – we will have standpipes at the event for you to fill your reusable water bottles. These will be in Russell Park.

When will The Embankment road be closed?

The road closure will be taking place on The Embankment between Shaftesbury Avenue and Bushmead Avenue between 7am on the Saturday and 7pm on the Sunday. A parking suspension on this stretch of road will also be in place over the weekend of the festival.

Can I access my house in The Embankment area during the festival?

Yes - the only closure that Bedford Events are putting on is taking place is on The Embankment between Shaftesbury Avenue and Bushmead Avenue (with both of these road remaining open) and therefore diversion routes are available via Castle Road to access all residential and commercial properties in the area.

Can I fly my kite in the kite flying arena?

No, the main arena is for the invited kite flyers only. Most of their kites are rare and valuable, and if you have been to the event before you will know that if there is too little wind, the flyers will struggle to get their kites in the air, so they need all the space available to launch their displays into the sky.

If you are inspired and would like to fly your kite on the weekend, we ask that you take your kite to Mill Meadows (just over the suspension bridge) where there is plenty of space for you.

I would like to trade at this event, how do I sign up?

Please email events@bedford.gov.uk to register your interest/find out more information or complete a trader application pack on the Bedford Kite and Motoring Festival webpage.

I would like to bring my motor vehicle to the Bedford Festival of Motoring, can I turn up on the day?

If you have a classic or interesting vehicle that you would like to exhibit at the Bedford Festival of Motoring, you will need to book in your vehicle here before the event date.

How can I find out about the vehicles on display at the Bedford Festival of Motoring?

A programme will be produced and available on the Bedford Kite and Motoring Festival webpage.

If we use the watersports arena, will there be changing facilities available?

Most of the watersports on offer shouldn’t involve you having to get wet, however if you take part in an activity where you do, there will be a changing tent provided by Canoe Trail, but we do advise for you to bring a towel/spare clothes. All life vests and equipment will be provided.