Enjoy the festive charm of Bedford with our detailed event guide. From Bedford old-timers to newcomers, our guide ensures you make the most of the holidays.
Popular Events: Be sure to experience the Bedford Town Centre Christmas Light Switch On, where twinkling lights and a joyful atmosphere signal the season's arrival. The Very Merry Bedford Christmas Market Weekender offers an array of unique stalls featuring local crafts and tasty treats. And the Kempston Christmas Light Switch On is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a vibrant community spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Bedford
- Bedford Town Centre Christmas Light Switch On
- Very Merry Bedford Christmas Market Weekender
- Bedford Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland
- Kempston Christmas Light Switch On (Kempston)
- Luton Hoo Estate Christmas Market (Luton)
- Bedford Christmas Gift & Craft Fair
- SantaTastic Christmas Market in Cheddington (Cheddington)
- Shefford Christmas Craft Fair (Shefford)
- Ampthill Christmas Craft & Shopping Fayre (Ampthill)
- Love Bedford Express Land Train
See these and even more events listed below!
Bedford Holiday Light Displays
Bedford Town Centre Christmas Light Switch On
What to Expect:
Live music and dance performances accompany the lighting of new Christmas lights.
Description:
Bedford Town Centre Christmas Light Switch On features live music, dance performances, and a unique seasonal market, culminating in the grand illumination of new Christmas lights at 5 PM.
Where: Bedford | More Info: Bedford Town Centre Christmas Light Switch On
Kempston Christmas Light Switch On
What to Expect:
Family-friendly Christmas tree lighting ceremony with festive activities.
Description:
Kempston Christmas Light Switch On is a family-friendly event featuring festive activities, stalls, food, and entertainment at the Saxon Centre. The event includes a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 5pm, offering a joyful atmosphere for all ages.
Where: Kempston | More Info: Kempston Christmas Light Switch On
Bedford Holiday Markets and Shopping
Very Merry Bedford Christmas Market Weekender
What to Expect:
Unique land train ride experience with live music and local vendors.
Description:
The Very Merry Bedford Christmas Market Weekender is a two-day celebration featuring over 100 local businesses across the town centre. Enjoy live music, street food, mulled wine, antiques, vintage items, art, crafts, and locally produced food and drink. The event includes the return of the Love Bedford Express Land Train Ride and festive activities throughout the town.
Where: Bedford | More Info: Very Merry Bedford Christmas Market Weekender
Bedford Christmas Gift & Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Unique crafts and gifts available.
Description:
The Bedford Christmas Gift & Craft Fair features around 100 stalls offering unique crafts, artwork, gifts, and food, making perfect Christmas presents for friends and family. The event takes place at John Bunyan Sports Centre, offering good parking and additional parking at Bedford Academy.
Where: Bedford | More Info: Bedford Christmas Gift & Craft Fair
SantaTastic Christmas Market in Cheddington
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and interactive activities for all ages.
Description:
The SantaTastic Christmas Market in Cheddington offers a treasure trove of unique gifts, festive entertainment, and family fun. Visitors can hold majestic owls, create gooey slime, and design their own festive biscuits. The event features a festive café with mulled wine and mince pies, making it a holly-jolly time for all.
Where: Cheddington | More Info: SantaTastic Christmas Market in Cheddington
Shefford Christmas Craft Fair
What to Expect:
36 stalls selling Christmas gifts and treats.
Description:
The Shefford Christmas Craft Fair at Robert Bloomfield Academy features 36 stalls offering Christmas gifts and treats, along with school house fundraising stalls, a BBQ, refreshments, and musical performances. This event caters to all your Christmas shopping needs under one roof, with adults paying £1 and under 18s entering for free.
Where: Shefford | More Info: Shefford Christmas Craft Fair
Ampthill Christmas Craft & Shopping Fayre
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and local crafts in a small-town setting.
Description:
The Ampthill Christmas Craft & Shopping Fayre features over 30 local artisans and traders offering handmade crafts, unique gifts, and festive decorations. Visitors can enjoy a broad range of items for sale, including bespoke holiday decorations, handcrafted gifts, and seasonal food products. The event is family-friendly and supports the town's Christmas lights.
Where: Ampthill | More Info: Ampthill Christmas Craft & Shopping Fayre
Luton Hoo Estate Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique blend of seasonal shopping and festive atmosphere in a historic setting.
Description:
Luton Hoo Estate's first Christmas Market features stalls inside the stunning conservatory and historic Walled Garden, offering a variety of Christmas-themed items, food, and drinks. The event includes visits to Father Christmas and the Woodyard Coffee Shop serving hot and cold beverages, snacks, and seasonal treats. The Woodland walk is suitably dressed for the season, and parking and entry are free.
Where: Luton | More Info: Luton Hoo Estate Christmas Market
Bedford Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Forest of Marston Vale Festive Lunches
What to Expect:
Live jazz music during a holiday lunch.
Description:
Join us for a delightful holiday lunch at the Forest of Marston Vale, featuring live jazz music and a festive atmosphere.
Where: Marston Vale | More Info: Forest of Marston Vale Festive Lunches
Christmas games day
What to Expect:
Candlelit holiday decorations and live seasonal music.
Description:
Stroll through Old Bedford Village by candlelight to see its buildings decorated for Christmas as they may have been long ago. Enjoy live seasonal music and learn the stories behind your favorite holiday traditions. Cookies and cocoa are available as you explore the village.
Where: Bedford | More Info: Christmas games day
Bedford Other Holiday Activities
Bedford Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Ice skating under the stars.
Description:
Bedford's Winter Wonderland offers a variety of activities including ice skating, a Big Wheel, Christmas Tree Maze, and Santa's Grotto. Enjoy festive beverages and treats at the Alpine Bar. Children under 3 years old receive free entry.
Where: Bedford | More Info: Bedford Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland
Forest of Marston Vale Christmas Crafts
What to Expect:
Hands-on holiday crafts for all ages.
Description:
Join us at the Forest Centre for a creative Christmas crafts session where you can get hands-on with festive activities and make unique holiday gifts.
Where: Marston Vale | More Info: Forest of Marston Vale Christmas Crafts
Christmas Crazy Golf
What to Expect:
Family-friendly mini golf with a Christmas twist.
Description:
Christmas Crazy Golf is a free activity where participants can play a round of mini golf in a festive setting, with the opportunity to take a family photo in a Christmas-themed snow globe.
Where: Bedford | More Info: Christmas Crazy Golf
Christmas Snow Globe
What to Expect:
Interactive photo opportunity with festive decorations.
Description:
Take a family photo in the Christmas Snow Globe, a fun and interactive attraction where you can capture memories with your loved ones amidst festive decorations.
Where: Bedford | More Info: Christmas Snow Globe
Sunday Funday activity days
What to Expect:
Interactive family activities with Santa.
Description:
Sunday Funday activity days at Bedford Central Library offer a variety of fun activities, including writing letters to Santa, crafting sessions, and story time with Santa, providing an engaging experience for families.
Where: Bedford | More Info: Sunday Funday activity days
Decorate and collect bags of enchanting reindeer dust
What to Expect:
Creative crafting sessions with reindeer-themed decorations.
Description:
Decorate and collect bags of reindeer dust, an activity perfect for kids to get into the holiday spirit with creative crafting sessions.
Where: Bedford | More Info: Decorate and collect bags of enchanting reindeer dust
Love Bedford Express Land Train
What to Expect:
Free festive train rides with Christmas music and decorations.
Description:
The Love Bedford Express Land Train offers free rides through the town center, departing from Silver Square Station, with Christmas music and pretty bubbles.
Where: Bedford | More Info: Love Bedford Express Land Train
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Ampthill (8 miles)
- Saint Neots (10 miles)
- Rushden (12 miles)
- Milton Keynes (14 miles)
- Letchworth Garden City (15 miles)
- Hitchin (15 miles)
- Bletchley (15 miles)
- Wellingborough (15 miles)
- Leighton Buzzard (17 miles)
- Dunstable (17 miles)
- Luton (18 miles)
- Huntingdon (18 miles)
- Northampton (19 miles)
- Stevenage (20 miles)
- Kettering (21 miles)
- Harpenden (22 miles)
- Cambridge (25 miles)
- Welwyn Garden City (26 miles)
- Berkhamsted (26 miles)
- Hemel Hempstead (26 miles)
- Aylesbury (27 miles)
- Corby (27 miles)
- St Albans (27 miles)
- Hatfield (28 miles)
- Hertford (29 miles)
- Market Harborough (30 miles)
- Chesham (31 miles)
- Daventry (31 miles)
- Peterborough (32 miles)
- Bishops Stortford (32 miles)
- Hoddesdon (32 miles)
- Potters Bar (33 miles)
- Amersham (33 miles)
- Watford (33 miles)
- Bicester (33 miles)
- Borehamwood (34 miles)
- Hadley Wood (35 miles)
- Harlow (35 miles)
- Cheshunt (35 miles)
- Barnet (35 miles)
- Stamford (36 miles)
- Chalfont Saint Peter (37 miles)
- High Wycombe (37 miles)
- March (37 miles)
- Enfield Town (37 miles)
- Rugby (37 miles)
- Banbury (38 miles)
- Newmarket (38 miles)
- Gerrards Cross (38 miles)
- Haverhill (39 miles)
- Finchley (39 miles)
- Ruislip (39 miles)
- Harrow (39 miles)
- Edmonton (39 miles)
- Wood Green (40 miles)
- Muswell Hill (40 miles)
- Chingford (40 miles)
- Tottenham (40 miles)
- Uxbridge (40 miles)
- Wigston Magna (41 miles)
- Northolt (41 miles)
- Brent (41 miles)
- Wembley (41 miles)
- Cricklewood (41 miles)
- Archway (42 miles)
- Oadby (42 miles)
- Kilburn (42 miles)
- Woodford Green (42 miles)
- Walthamstow (42 miles)
- Greenford (42 miles)
- Stamford Hill (43 miles)
- Willesden (43 miles)
- Oxford (43 miles)
- Holloway (43 miles)
- Hayes (43 miles)
- Chalk Farm (43 miles)
- Camden Town (43 miles)
- Highbury (43 miles)
- Southall (43 miles)
- Slough (44 miles)
- Maidenhead (44 miles)
- Acton (44 miles)
- Leytonstone (44 miles)
- Islington (44 miles)
- Leicester (45 miles)
- Shepherds Bush (45 miles)