Sophie Ellis-Bextor to Open 60th Bedford Park Festival
Local pop star is doing the honours for the third time
Father Kevin with Sophie Ellie Bextor at the 2008 Bedford Park Festival
|
June 5, 2026
Pop star and broadcaster Sophie Ellis-Bextor will officially open this year’s Bedford Park Festival, marking a milestone 60th anniversary for one of west London’s best-loved community events.
The singer, who lives close to where the event takes place will launch the festival’s popular Green Days weekend at 11am on Saturday 13 June on Acton Green, opposite St Michael & All Angels Church.
Often described as “Chiswick’s favourite fortnight”, the Bedford Park Festival combines arts, community and outdoor events, and runs this year from Friday 12 June to Sunday 28 June.
Sophie is no stranger to the festival. She first opened the event in 2008 and returned in 2016 alongside other local figures to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
As well as opening proceedings, she will launch a new children’s art competition, which replaces the festival’s traditional fancy dress contest as part of a refreshed programme aimed at families.
The competition will run throughout the festival, with a “World Cup” theme and prizes donated by local retailer Trotters on Turnham Green Terrace.
The opening weekend’s Green Days fête and craft fair will take place across Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June, featuring live performances on the bandstand, stalls, refreshments and a showcase of local designers and makers.
New family attractions this year include two “Kids Zones”, with activities organised by The Little Gym Chiswick and Foxes Club.
Sustainability is also a key theme, with an Electric Vehicle Zone returning to display new models from Porsche Centre West London and Auto West London.
Among the standout attractions is the High Roller Tombola, where the headline prize is a guided tour of Sanderson’s Chiswick archives at Voysey House — recently visited by the King.
The King visiting the Sandersons archive at Voysey House last month. Picture: Claire Menary
Sunday will also feature the traditional open-air Mass on the Green, with a sermon from the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Lord Chartres, a former Bishop of London.
The festival is organised by St Michael & All Angels Church and raises funds for both the church and its chosen charities.
This year’s beneficiaries include The Upper Room, which supports people in need in Shepherd’s Bush; the McCabe Educational Trust, which funds projects in the Holy Land; and The Mulberry Centre, marking its 25th anniversary of supporting those affected by cancer.
Beyond Green Days, the festival offers a wide-ranging programme of concerts, talks, exhibitions, theatre and community events.
It opens with a lunchtime organ recital by international organist D’Arcy Trinkwon and concludes with a festival mass performed by the Bedford Park Festival Orchestra and Chorus.
Mass on the Green
Full details of the programme and ticket booking.
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We've always done that and won't be changing, in fact we'd like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we'd be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you'd like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |