The City as a Festival

Leeds School of Architecture

Loading Bay

Explore alternative futures for a landmark building in the heart of Bradford

YOU:MATTER

Marshmallow Laser Feast

National Science and Media Museum

Explore how we’re all connected at this spectacular immersive experience.

Tower of Now

Saad Qureshi

Hall Ings, Bradford

This soaring sculpture explores what it means to be British – and celebrates Bradford’s dazzling diversity.

HOPE/ACT

People Powered Press

Venues across Bradford

Installations from the world’s largest letterpress printing press.

We Will Sing

Ann Hamilton

Salts Mill

Ann Hamilton transforms the immense top floor at Salts Mill for her largest solo UK installation to date.

Journeys with Mai

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

Sir Joshua Reynolds' spectacular portrait visits Bradford on a UK-wide tour.

Jameel Prize: Moving Images

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

Explore the relationship between contemporary practice and Islamic tradition at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery.

Wild Uplands

Penistone Hill Country Park, Haworth

Striking new art for the moors above Haworth.

Earth & Sky

Opera North

Penistone Hill Country Park

An immersive sound walk over the moors above Haworth.

Earth & Sky: borrow a device

Collect from Brontë Parsonage Museum

Use this page to reserve a device and explore the audio world of Earth & Sky on one of our pre-loaded devices.

Bradford City Centre guided walking tour

Bradford City Centre

Follow Bradford’s history, origins, and its transformation into the city it is today on this guided walking tour.

Frontline 1984/1985

Victor Wedderburn

National Science and Media Museum

A fascinating exhibition exploring Bradford's African Caribbean communities in the ’80s.

ReelBFD: Digital Arts, Bradford Stories

National Science and Media Museum

Experience the creativity of Bradford’s young digital artists in a new exhibition.

Ice Age Art Now

British Museum

Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley

Travel back in time at this British Museum Partnership Exhibition.

Wondering Heights

Lucy Barker

A participatory dance event upon the moors, combining Emily Brontë, Kate Bush and Bradford.

Tu i Tam/Tyt i Tam

Tim Smith & Marta Szymańska

Loading Bay

An exhibition documenting our Polish and Ukrainian communities.

The DRAW! Tour: July Workshops

Venues across Bradford District

Hands-on drawing workshops across the district, part of Our Patch.

The Railway Children

Keighley Station

The classic production heads to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

Seen & Heard: Here & There

Loading Bay

A free afternoon of illustrated talks exploring themes of journey, exile, identity and the search for home.

Cliffe Castle Party in the Park

Teen Scene Parties & K-Town Sound Machine

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Bradford’s premier teen party producer present an unmissable family friendly Party in the Park at Cliffe Castle.

LOUD & PROUD Dhol Drumming

Punjabi Roots

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Learn to play the iconic dhol drum at this free workshop – no experience necessary.

Youth Pass: Calligraphy Workshop with Razwan Ul-Haq

Millside Centre, BD1

Learn new skills in a hands-on calligraphy session led by artist Razwan Ul-Haq.

Wild Uplands Walk & Write

At Haworth Festival

Old School Room, Haworth

A special writers’ walk through Wild Uplands in Penistone Hill Country Park

Share Your Story: On Board at The Beacon

National Literacy Trust in Bradford

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

The Bradford Stories Bus is coming to The Beacon for a one-day story spectacular.

Peace Picnic: Cliffe Castle Park

The Peace Museum

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

The Peace Museum host the third of five free gatherings to celebrate peace, protest and community.

All Ages Singing

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Mood-lifting, feel-good musical fun!

Bradford West Fun Day

The Mustafa Centre

Feel the culture, share the joy!

Rugby Tots

The Beacon - Lister Park

Try Rugby with Rugby Tots at The Beacon!

The Story Garden – Summer Reading Challenge

Local libraries

Come to a creative making session with the Our Patch team in your local library and be an artist as well as a reader.

The Great Crafty Get-Together

Keighley Parish and LinkAge

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Celebrate all the crafters - and all those that would like to be!

Youth Pass: Breakin – Dance Class

Mind the Gap

Join Bradford’s Breakin dance specialists for an energetic breakdancing session.

Last Rites

Loading Bay

How do you say goodbye when words were never there?

Your Best Guess

mala voadora & Chris Thorpe

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Life is entirely unpredictable. But what if we could rewrite history?

Wonky Olympics

SD Theatre

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Two clueless PE teachers give traditional sports day a hilarious makeover.

Play Bradford’s Mobile Adventure Playground

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

We’re teaming up with Play Bradford to bring mobile play to The Beacon at Cliffe Castle Park.

Evening Conversations – Loading Bay

Sudha Bhuchar

Loading Bay

Shots are fired in quick-fire exchanges between mother and sons.

World of Women Walkabout Show

Cecil Green Arts

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Larger than life, handmade puppets will be entertaining the crowds at Cliffe Castle Park.

Colorsphere

Hands Some Feet & Opus Company

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Colorsphere is not your average circus.

Babysphere

Hands Some Feet & Opus Company

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Explore a world of colour, movement, and sound.

BD: Festival

Bradford City Centre

A jam-packed weekend of fun for all the family.

Zee’s Cardboard Car Garage

Puppets with Guts

City Park

Want to get involved in Zee in the City? Build your own cardboard car and join the show.

Dorine Mugisha – Exposed

City Park

An exploration of self expression through movement, posing and storytelling.

Now And Then

Pitch'd Productions

City Park

When slapstick comedy meets aerial acrobatics.

Charlotte Brontë: Senseless Trash

Start at the Brontë Suite, Hall Ings

Join our Four Nations recipient, Fran Bundey for a phonic field trip over the Yorkshire Moors.

So Far, So Good…

TC Howard & Dance On Bradford

Darley Street Market

An inclusive new dance show about growing older.

A Good Yarn: City Centre Roll

Luke Jerram & Bloomin' Buds

Bradford City Centre

Roll with it! We’re making a huge new artwork from the very fabric of Bradford.

Zee and the City

Puppets with Guts

City Park

One giant puppet. One buzzing city. One epic adventure.

Baby Gareth and The Norbert Nannies

City Park

There's a nightmare on their hands in the shape of Giant Baby Gareth!

Melter

Robbie Thomson

City Park

Uncover a series of encounters with animatronic beings born into late capitalism.

Elevate Workshop: Producing Ambitious Projects

Kala Sangam

This session is ideal for those wanting to take their projects to the next level.

BD: Walls – Session 10: public mural creation, part 2

Burnett Street Car Park, Bradford

Practical session. The second session of two, part of the BD: Walls Talent Development Programme.

A Good Yarn

Luke Jerram & Bloomin' Buds

Bradford Industrial Museum

Get up close and personal with an extraordinary new artwork – made in BD10 from the fabric of Bradford.

Let’s Make

Lou Sumray

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Get creative with artist Lou Sumray at these free family-friendly workshops in Cliffe Castle Park.

Cool Runnings Culture Day

Cool Runnings

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Keighley's very own Caribbean eatery Cool Runnings takes over The Beacon.

Evening Conversations

Sudha Bhuchar

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Sudha invites her boys to ‘crack open a cold one’ and share their views on life.

Palingenesis

D_Antidote Production

Loading Bay

A mesmerising exploration of life's cycles, intimacy, and transformation through dance.

Little Explorers, Festival of Archaeology

Bradford District Museums & Galleries

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Craft activities and exploration stations for little archaeologists and scientists.

Archaeology Talks!

Bradford District Museums & Galleries

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Enjoy a day of archaeology talks to celebrate the National Festival of Archaeology.

Wild Wednesdays: Make and Move Workshop

With Brontë Parsonage Museum

Old School Room, Haworth

Celebrate Vanessa Da Silva’s nature-inspired ‘sculpture beings’ at Wild Uplands.

Celebrating Culture at Cliffe Castle

Highfield Community Association

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Celebrate South Asian culture in Keighley with activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Yorkshire Calling

Bradford Live

Celebrate Yorkshire Day at Bradford Live.

Guided Walk: Haworth Heritage Trail

Haworth

With Brontë Parsonage Museum.

Guided Walk: Burley in Wharfedale to Ilkley

Burley in Wharfedale train station car park

with Bradford Fairtrade Zone.

Festival of Archaeology Finale

Council for British Archaeology and Bradford Museums & Galleries

Cliffe Castle Museum

Free family fun-filled two-day finale of this year’s amazing Festival of Archaeology.

Summer Sounds: Saturday

The Beacon - Cliffe Castle Park

Asha Puthli, Metz n Trix and ganayva headline day one of our music weekender in The Beacon.

Summer Sounds: Sunday

The Beacon - Cliffe Castle Park

Nitin Sawhney and Poppy Ajudha top the bill for day two of our Beacon music weekender.

How to Get Published

Loading Bay

Discover what it takes to bring a book to life.

Youth Pass: Radio Production Workshops

with BCB

BCB, Bradford Community Broadcasting

Create, deliver and record your very own radio show!

Summer of Song

Steeton Male Voice Choir

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Steeton Male Voice Choir celebrate 118 years of singing.

Nature-Inspired Crafts

Amy Hall

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

A relaxed session full of hands-on creativity, all themed around nature.

The MEGA Drawing Box in the Park

Keighley Creative

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Keighley Creative and artist Naseem Darbey present a nature inspired drawing box adventure!

Creative Summer Social

Cultural Voice Forum

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

A relaxed and welcoming indoor and outdoor event celebrating Bradford’s creative sector.

Island of Foam: Version #40

Stephanie Lüning

Centenary Square

Celebrate Playday, the national day for play, in City Park. Families of all ages can join in this monumental explosion of multicoloured foam…

Youth Fest

Bradford Youth Service
Keighley Team

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

The Youth Service provide a day of activities for 11-19 year olds.

Art & Song

Emily Parkin and Stephanie Warrender

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Imaginative sessions combining music and drawing.

OUR STORY

Nebula Girls Group

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Gain a unique insight into the challenges and strengths of being an autistic girl in today’s world.

STATUESQUE at Cliffe Castle Park – 75th Birthday Bash

Chicks on Sticks & Naomi Parker

The Beacon - Cliffe Castle Park

Costumed characters, free family workshop and a community parade.

Elevate Workshop: Evaluating Your Project

University of Bradford

Learn how to create a meaningful evaluation for your own work.

BD: Walls – Session 11: unveiling and programme wrap-up

Church Bank House, Bradford City Centre

Classroom and practical session. The final session, including a public unveiling of the finished mural, part of the BD: Walls Talent Development Programme.

Cliffe Castle Park 75th Birthday Bash

Starring Statuesque

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Join us to celebrate 75 years of Cliffe Castle Park at their birthday bash!

Rich(ard) Dawson

Plus Guests

Loading Bay

Returning to tour his new record, End of the Middle.

Shadmanny

Bradford South Asian Festival

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

A taste of South Asian wedding culture.

Stick in the Wheel

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

A raw holler of folk, synths, spoken word and intricate guitar fuzz.

The Great Adventure Build

Woodland Tribe

Ladyhill Park

Build the playground of your dreams – then play!

Youth Pass: Sip & DRAW! Sketchbook Workshop

Learning Room at Cartwright Hall

Sip mocktails, eat cake, and create your own 'zig zag' sketchbook with Naseem Darbey

BOLD! Bradford Artist Scratch Night

Loading Bay

New work-in-progress performance from Bradford artists and creatives.

Loaded Laughs

Loading Bay

Bradford 2025's new comedy night.

The Ceremony [Gala Screening and Q&A]

Jack King

Pictureville Cinema

An award-winning debut feature set in Bradford.

Re:Born

Loading Bay

A one-time event to celebrate coming of age.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (12A)

Ilkley Lido

Jamie’s got big dreams, but they aren’t like those of other boys. Part of Open-Air Cinema at Ilkley Lido with Wild Rumpus.

Sexy Beast (18)

Ilkley Lido

One of the finest British films of the 21st century - part of Open-Air Cinema at Ilkley Lido with Wild Rumpus.

Wild Wednesdays: Forest School Fairy Dens Workshop

With Brontë Parsonage Museum

Penistone Hill - outdoor workshop

Make willow dens for mythical creatures and fairies, inspired by Monira Al Qadiri’s mythical installation.

The Big Beacon Family Welcome

The Beacon – Lister Park

Join us at Lister Park for an afternoon of family fun.

Play Bradford’s Mobile Adventure Playground

The Beacon – Lister Park

We’re teaming up with Play Bradford to bring mobile play to The Beacon at Lister Park.

Bill Bailey: Thoughtifier

Bradford Live

A magical, musical mystery tour of the human mind.

BBC Introducing at The Underground

The Underground

BBC Introducing gigs at Bradford's iconic The Underground.

The Cocoa Butter Club

The Beacon – Lister Park

It's time to lotion up baby!

BBC Introducing at The Beacon

BBC Introducing

The Beacon – Lister Park

The BBC’s music discovery platform takes over The Beacon for an open mic night of live music.

The Book of Bradford

Comma Press, Saima Mir

To be announced

Ten short stories by Bradford writers.

Hindu Sangh Culture Event

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK)

The Beacon – Lister Park

Find out about Hindu and Gujarati traditions at The Beacon

Hot Caribbean Beatz in the Park

The Beacon – Lister Park

Join us for an evening of Caribbean music at The Beacon

Art and Play Day

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

The Beacon – Lister Park

Have a go at different art techniques - for little artists and their grown ups.

A Somali Village in Lister Park

Friends of Bradford Art Galleries and Museums

The Beacon – Lister Park

Find out about this popular attraction at the 1904 Great Exhibition

EGGS COLLECTIVE’S DARK NIGHTS

Loading Bay

Twisted cabaret nights at Loading Bay.

The Baton of Hope

The Beacon – Lister Park

The Baton of Hope is the UK’s­ largest ever suicide prevention initiative.

Blankets & Wine Bradford

Lister Park

Kenya comes to Manningham! Celebrate African music and culture across two stages in Lister Park.

Camille O’Sullivan – All Souls

Loading Bay

Hear Camille's love letter in song.

BBC Proms

Angélique Kidjo – African Symphony

St George's Hall

UK Premiere with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

Khooghi

The Beacon – Lister Park

Come on a journey as Kauser weaves together her history with the life and songs of Pakistani folk legend.

Share and Care

Bradford New Church

The Beacon – Lister Park

Hands-on sustainable arts and crafts for all ages.

A World Without Death

Displace Yourself Theatre

Venues across Bradford District

It’s a devilish carnival and you’re invited!

Sip and Paint

Creative Flare

The Beacon – Lister Park

Chill, create, and connect with friends.

KAILEY

Kerry Wright

Loading Bay

Who cares for you when your parent is in prison?

Share Your Story: On Board at The Beacon

National Literacy Trust in Bradford

The Beacon – Lister Park

The Bradford Stories Bus is coming to The Beacon for a one-day story spectacular.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (15)

Thornton Viaduct

Wes Anderson's madcap caper. Part of Open-Air Cinema at Thornton Viaduct with Wild Rumpus.

World Curry Festival

Venues to be announced

The World Curry Festival returns to Bradford – the UK's Curry Capital.

The Invite

Mind the Gap

The Beacon – Lister Park

Mind the Gap’s new immersive theatre experience invites you to a surprise party, with music, movement… and cake.

BBC Contains Strong Language

To be announced

The UK’s biggest poetry and performance festival comes to Bradford.

Poetry Takeaway

The Beacon – Lister Park

The Poetry Takeaway serves high quality, personalised Poetry to our diners, written, performed and wrapped up to Takeaway.

RIDE!

TFD Centre, Holme Wood

Rap, dance and theatre combine in this powerful new work created with Gypsy and Traveller communities and the people of BD4.

Wild Uplands end of summer party

Venues across Haworth

A day of walks, talks, exhibitions and more.

Let’s Make

Lou Sumray

The Beacon – Lister Park

Get creative with artist Lou Sumray at these free family-friendly workshops in Cliffe Castle Park.

Otherhood

Old Bird Theatre

Venues across Bradford District

A story of radical love and found family.

Bloom

Upswing

Shipley Market Square
This is an outdoor standing event

A magical open-air circus spectacle celebrating community, connection and the people of Shipley.

HONK!

The Peace Artistes

Various locations in Bradford

A weekend of live music with Bradford's beloved street band

Wandering Imaginations

Haworth, Accra and beyond

The Brontës’ imaginary worlds reimagined for 2025.

Make Yourself at Home

Impressions Gallery

Ten young people curate a major exhibition at Impressions Gallery.

Turner Prize

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

We’re teaming up with Tate to bring the Turner Prize to Bradford.

STATUESQUE at Lister Park

Chicks on Sticks & Naomi Parker

The Beacon - Lister Park

Costumed characters, free family workshop and a community parade.

Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali Group

St George's Hall

The torchbearers of Qawwali music visit Bradford for their only show in the North this year.

Life Class

509 Arts

Loading Bay

Every body has a story.
Everybody sings a song.

STRIKE

Urban Projections

Lister Mill

A spectacular light and sound show celebrating the women who made modern Bradford.

John Grant

Plus support

St George’s Hall

John Grant makes his Bradford headline debut.

CBeebies Panto – Cinderella

CBeebies

Alhambra Theatre

Guided Walk: Five Rise Locks

Bingley Railway Station 

With Canal & River Trust.

Elmet

The Javaad Alipoor Company

Loading Bay

An explosive Northern drama – created especially for Bradford 2025 by The Javaad Alipoor Company.

Urooj Ashfaq: How To Be A Baddie

Soho Theatre

Loading Bay

Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer Urooj Ashfaq is back, but this time she’s different.

Meet Our Mothers

Deepa Mann-Kler

Online and Physical Cookbook

An interactive cookbook celebrating Bradford’s heritage.

Roots

Peachzz

MAPA

A vibrant street-art homage to a Bradford legend.

Come on in my friend

Jemima Spence

Buttershaw Youth Centre

New striking street art inspired by the people of Buttershaw.

RAVO

Alastair Flindall

Ravenscliffe Youth Centre

New street art celebrating the energy and joy of the Ravenscliffe community.

Growing Together

Sven Shaw

Girlington Community Garden

New street art capturing the community spirit of Girlington.

The Portal

NeSpoon

Church Bank House, near Bradford Cathedral

New street art inspired by old traditions.

FORGE Shorts

Filmed across Bradford District

New films from Bradford writers and directors.

REPLAY

The Herd

To be announced

Enter an endless world of play in this interactive experience.

Flesh and Flamingos (working title)

Dominic Leclerc

To be announced

The hidden history of northern queer culture.

The Local (working title)

Kim Hopkins

To be announced

Step inside a Bradford landmark…

Wool City Rockers

Bradford Live

New Model Army, Terrorvision and Paradise Lost co-headline a one-off show at Bradford Live.