The government chose Bradford to be just the fourth UK City of Culture in May 2022. It’s a huge honour. It’s a massive responsibility. And it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

We’ve built an organisation from scratch to plan and present 12 unforgettable months of creativity, culture and the arts across Bradford District. From New Year’s Day to New Year’s Eve, 2025 is set to explode with culture – by and for everyone, with much of it completely free to see.

We’re asking hundreds of local, national and international artists, dancers and musicians to join us in 2025 and make something new – just for us, just for you. But we’re also throwing the spotlight on the people of our city, which is among the youngest, the most diverse and the most exciting in the nation.

Bradford 2025 will be a celebration of Bradford, its cultures and its people – right here, right now. From artists to businesses, schools to community groups, we’re inviting people across Bradford to help us create a year of culture that could only happen here.

We revealed the first events on the Bradford 2025 programme in September 2024, with much more due to be announced in the coming months. And next year is just the beginning. Bradford 2025 will serve as a springboard to tomorrow, acting as a catalyst for regeneration and change. It’s 365 days to make history, celebrate our present – and dream up our future.

Welcome to Bradford 2025. It’s our time – and it starts here.