Last checked: 1 November 2026. Please confirm times, availability and event status with the organiser.
November 2026
Ongoing until 9 May 2027: Rhyme and Reason
25 September 2026 to 9 May 2027, during gallery opening hours | Art exhibition | The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane MK40 3XD | Free entry.
Explore how artists respond to stories, poems and other texts through paintings, drawings and sculpture. The exhibition draws on the Cecil Higgins collection, with work by artists including Paula Rego, Henry Moore and Henri Matisse.
3 November: Haunted Bedfordshire
Tuesday 3 November, 7.30pm | Local-history talk | St Andrew's Church Hall, Kimbolton Road, Bedford | Free for Friends of The Higgins; members may bring guests for a £10 donation.
Damien Odell speaks on Haunted Bedfordshire as part of the Friends' 2026/27 programme. The lecture takes place at the church hall rather than at the museum.
6 November and 4 December: Puggle Club
Fridays 6 November and 4 December, 10.30am to noon and 1pm to 2.30pm | Early-years creative activities | The Higgins Bedford | Free drop-in, no booking.
Children under five and their accompanying adults can join creative activities and meet other families. Some activities may not suit children under two, and numbers depend on space.
21 November: Bedford lights switch-on
Saturday 21 November, entertainment from noon; lights at 5pm | Community celebration | Harpur Square and Harpur Suite, Bedford | Free family activities.
Hear local choirs and performers before the lights come on, followed by a Bedford Radio disco until 6pm. The council also plans films, craft stalls, face painting and colouring activities.
22 November and 6 December: Sunday Crafternoons
Sundays 22 November and 6 December, 2pm to 4pm; last admission 3.30pm | Family craft | The Higgins Bedford | Free drop-in.
Families can make something together with activities inspired by the collections. These sessions are aimed at under-12s, with older children welcome; children need an accompanying adult.
27 November: ABBA Merry Christmas
Friday 27 November, 7.30pm | Tribute concert | Bedford Corn Exchange, St Paul's Square MK40 1SL | £33.75 per ticket including booking fee, plus £3.85 per online transaction.
An ABBA tribute and live band mix familiar hits with seasonal songs for a festive concert. This is a tribute performance rather than an appearance by ABBA.
December 2026
3 December: Step Into Christmas
Thursday 3 December, 7.30pm | Seasonal concert | Bedford Corn Exchange | £33.75 per ticket including booking fee, plus £3.85 per online transaction.
A live band and singers perform a programme of Christmas favourites, from ballads to upbeat seasonal songs.
5 and 6 December: Bedford Christmas Market
Saturday 5 December, 10am to 5pm; Sunday 6 December, 10am to 4pm | Seasonal market | Harpur Square and Harpur Suite, Bedford.
Browse gifts, craftwork and local produce. On Sunday, a separate Christmas Art Fair in St Paul's Square, 10am to 4pm, features painters, illustrators and printmakers.
5 and 6 December: Rosie Reindeer and the Christmas Wish
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, 11am and 1pm | Family musical, ages 3 to 10 | The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road, Bedford MK40 3DE.
Imajica Theatre brings its original story to the stage in a relaxed, inclusive production with live BSL interpretation at every performance. The one-hour show combines seasonal storytelling and familiar pop-song parodies.
8 December: Philharmonia Brass at Christmas
Tuesday 8 December, 7.30pm | Brass concert | Bedford Corn Exchange, St Paul's Square.
Players from the Philharmonia Orchestra present carols, seasonal hits and orchestral arrangements in a programme introduced by trombonist Philip White. Check the box office for seat prices and transaction fees.
12 December: Imajica Theatre at The Higgins
Saturday 12 December, 1pm to 1.45pm and 2.15pm to 3pm | Family musical storytelling, ages 3 to 8 | The Higgins Bedford | Free, limited places; booking essential.
Join the North Pole Elves for singing, dancing and storytelling with BSL signs. Children need an accompanying adult. Use the museum's HIGGINS30 promotional code when booking to avoid the transaction fee.
14, 15 and 21 December: Every Christmas Movie Ever
Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 December, 7.30pm; Monday 21 December, 2.30pm and 7.30pm | Comic theatre | The Place Theatre, Bedford.
The Pantaloons weave familiar festive-film situations into a comedy with music, puppetry and seasonal puns, from family reunions to Christmas Eve mishaps.
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