Bedford Cultural District

The 2025 Artisans Market Kicked off the Holidays with an Expanded Artisans Market and Wreath Contest!

The annual Artisans Market, co-sponsored by the Bedford Cultural District and First Parish, was the centerpiece of Bedford's holiday launch. Through the initiative of Suzanne and Company, the Artisans Market expanded to an outdoor setting this year as a number of vendors set up shop under a tent on the town common. 

Music filled the air inside and outside with several live music performances. On the Common, a wreath decorating contest and raffle drew curious viewers and and bidders that raised funds for the Food Bank. All these activities were a prelude to the annual tree lighting and visit from Santa at 5:00. 

The Artisans Market has become a popular and much-anticipated event. We look forward to carrying on the tradition next year! 

Bedford Tree Lighting Outdoor Market 2025

New Song Concert Series Continues With Its 2nd Season Through June 2026!

2025-26 New Song Concert Series Promo ImageAfter a 100% sold out first season of seven incredible concerts, the Bedford Cultural District is pleased to list nine new performers for its second season running from September, 2025 through June, 2026.

The concerts will continue to be held in the 100+ seat Reed Room auditorium located in Bedford Town Hall. Doors open at 7:00pm and all concerts will be held on Saturdays. 

See the full list of performer and purchase tickets online at the NewSongBedford.org website today!

Cultural District Overview

The Bedford Cultural district is a specific geographical area in a city or town that has a concentration of cultural facilities, activities, and assets. The Bedford Cultural District Partnership includes representatives from the Select Board, Planning Board, Bedford Arts and Crafts Society, Chamber of Commerce, Bedford Citizen, Cultural Council, First Parish, Historical Society, High School Art Program, and local artists, musicians, and performers.

Some of the goals for the Bedford Cultural District include:

  • Foster community cultural events and street festivals in the District.
  • Support small business vibrancy and the formation of new artisan and creative businesses.
  • Educate residents and visitors about Bedford's cultural resources.
  • Encourage and expand cultural and artistic programming and rentals of Town Facilities
  • Generate opportunities for public art and support art installations along the Narrow Gauge Rail Trail.
  • Create an incubator and display space for artists.
  • Make opportunities for utility box and other streetscape art.
  • Plan for significant expansion of the Bedford Historical Museum.

Activities Completed or Planned:

  • Narrow Gauge Rail Trail Art Walk (Planned)
  • Madi Lord Sculpture Refurbish (Planned)
  • Coffeehouse Series (Opened to a Sold Out audience on November 16, 2024 and has continued selling out each performance, second season starts in September 2025)
  • Bedford Historical Museum (Bedford at Work, the first exhibit opened on September 20, 2022 and ran through January 3, 2025 and Bedford Answers the Call, the second exhibit, opened on April 12, 2025)
  • Music & Arts Festival - (June 2023 and 2024)
  • Imagine Art Walk on Narrow Gauge Rail Trail (First exhibit- July 2024)
  • Holiday Artisans Fair- (started December 2023 in conjunction with the Tree Lighting on the Common)
  • Community Mural (June 2023)
  • “Affirmation of Life: Art from Today’s Ukraine” art show (October 2023)
  • Two Mini Art Galleries (November 2023)
  • Bedford Artist Directory (September 2022)
  • Street Art Mural on Mudge Way (July 2022)
  • District Pole Banners (2022)
  • District Map and Asset Guide (May 2021)
  • Peace Pole Public Art Project  (September 2021)
  • First painted utility box at South Road/Railroad Ave (2019)
  • Cultural Events Flyer (First flyer - Spring 2018)

Contact

For questions about the Cultural District initiatives, please contact Eric Salerno, Housing and Economic Development Director, at 781-275-1111.

Please see the files on this page for the Cultural District Map and Cultural Assets Key.

The Mass Cultural Council, which is funded by the State Legislature, provides key financial and programmatic support for the Bedford Cultural District.