Our calendar of events on Bedford Borough Council parkland throughout 2022.
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.
May
1 May
The Embankment
68th Bedford Canoe Marathon - Canoe racing event
2 May
The Embankment
Come and try Canoeing - Viking Kayak Club are providing an opportunity for the public to come along and try their hand at canoeing.
7 May
The Embankment
Bedford Amateur Regatta - Rowing race event
7 May
Elstow Green
May Festival: A traditional May Festival with a long history of taking place on the green beside Moot Hall.
7-8 and 14-15 May
Mowsbury Park
Gumbles Fun Zone Fair
21-22 May
Great Denham Park
Gumbles Fun Zone Fair
21-22 May
Priory Country Park
Bungee at Priory: An amazing opportunity to try bungee-jumping in the picturesque surrounds of Priory Country Park
27 May
Riverside Square
Eat Feast - Food market offering a wide range of tasty meals from popular street food vendors to take away and enjoy.
28-31 May
Jubilee Park
Gumbles Fun Zone Fair
28 May
The Embankment
Rivercare Volunteer Clean Up: Meet at the Butterfly Bridge at 10am to help clean up the riverside. Refreshments kindly provided by the John Bunyan Community Boat.
30 May to 13 June
Longholme Way
Thurston’s Funfair
June
2 June
The Embankment
Queens Jubilee Beacon Lighting
3-6 June
Bedford Park Concerts: Bringing some of the biggest names in the music industry to Bedford Park. Tickets are now on sale for Tom Grennan, more acts to be announced.
18 June
Bedford Park
Fake Festival: A tribute-based music event bringing six ‘fake bands’ to Bedford. Professional ‘touring-grade’ tribute bands that put on a superb performance. They look, sound and move like the real rock-stars – you have to see them to believe it. Tickets available online.
18 June
Russell Park
Gumbles Fun Zone Fair
July
2-3 July
Priory Country Park
Race For Life: Race for Life has been visiting Bedford for years and always bring messages of hope and positivity in the nation’s fight against cancer. Open to both men and women, you can run, walk, hop, skip or climb your way through the Pretty Muddy or Race For Life courses. Register to enter online.
2-3 July
Russell Park
Gumbles Fun Zone Fair
20 July
Bedford Park
Bedford Harriers Doug Anderson 5k: A fast paced, traffic-free running event in heart of Bedford's oldest park. Tickets available online and on the day, if entry limit allows.20
23-24 July
Russell Park, The Embankment, Mill Meadows, St Mary’s Gardens
Bedford River Festival: Bedford’s biggest free community festival event offers something for everyone, including live entertainment and activities, a funfair, raft and dragon boat races, plus the heritage village, sports village and water sports arena.
30-31 July
Priory Country Park
Bungee at Priory: An amazing opportunity to try bungee-jumping in the picturesque surrounds of Priory Country Park.
28-31 July
Bedford Park Concerts: Bringing some of the biggest names in the music industry to Bedford Park. Tickets are now on sale for Paul Weller, Simply Red, and Bedford Park Proms.
28 July - 1 August
Priory Country Park
Gumbles Fun Zone Fair
August
1-22 August
Longholme Way
Thurston’s Funfair
7, 14, 21 & 28 August
Mill Meadows Bandstand
Music in the Meadows: Spend a Sunday afternoon enjoying the sounds of rousing classical tunes performed by wonderful brass bands and performers from Bedfordshire and beyond.
13 August
Priory County Park
Original Culture Festival: A new music festival to Bedford, celebrating original sounds from a range of genres including garage, R&B, soul, reggae, house, DnB and more.
14 August
The Embankment
Bedford Triathlon hosted by Bedford Harriers: An Olympic distance triathlon and aquabike race for individual or relay team entries comprising 1500m River Great Ouse swim, 41km cycle through Bedfordshire countryside and 10k run along the Embankment. Tickets available online and on the day, if entry limits allow.
18-22 August
Bedford Park
Gumbles Fun Zone Fair
September
1-4 September
Goldington Green
Gumbles Fun Zone Fair
2-4 September
Russell Park
Bedford Running Festival: Bedford's biggest running event, hosting a wide variety of entertainment in addition to 5km, 10km and half marathon distance races. Tickets available online.
10-11 September
Priory Country Park
Bungee at Priory: An amazing opportunity to try bungee-jumping in the picturesque surrounds of Priory Country Park.
12-26 September
Addison Howard Park
Thurston’s Funfair
October
To be announced.
November
To be announced.
December
To be announced.
