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.

Augmenting Bradford’s DNA

Razwan Ul-Haq

Various locations

Homegrown artworks, made using calligraphy and community participation.

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.

Woven Lives at Bradford Cathedral

Bradford Cathedral

Bradford Cathedral

Stunning glass artwork in the city's gorgeous Cathedral setting.

The Railway Children

Keighley Station

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

Bradford West Fun Day

The Mustafa Centre

Feel the culture, share the joy!

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.

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.

The Keighley Chorus

Hannah Butterfield and Shane Durrant

Airedale Shopping Centre

Come along to a community singing session around the piano.

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.

Guided Walk: Haworth Heritage Trail

Haworth

With Brontë Parsonage Museum.

Youth Pass: Radio Production Workshops

BCB, Bradford Community Broadcasting

Create, deliver and record your very own radio show with BCB!

The DRAW! Tour: August Workshops

Venues across Bradford District

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

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.

Here We Stand

Loading Bay

Explore peace, conflict and identity in this new exhibition.

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.

Bradford StoryHub Drop In

Bradford StoryHub

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Find out about Bradford StoryHub's community storytelling project.

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

Millside Centre, BD1

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

Creative Industry Speed Mentoring

Bradford 2025 HQ

Connect. Learn. Launch your creative career.

BOLD! Bradford Artist Scratch Night

Loading Bay

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

Textile Set Design Workshop

Loading Bay

Create a part of a large tapestry inspired by your childhood for the set of Re:Born.

Loaded Laughs

Loading Bay

Bradford 2025's new comedy night.

BULK [With Ben Wheatley Q&A] (Cert TBC)

Pictureville, National Science + Media Museum

Experience the chaos, mystery, and genius of Ben Wheatley’s BULK - one night only at Pictureville

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.

Tent of Hope

The Beacon – Lister Park

A celebration of solidarity and interfaith dialogue.

Tent of Hope: The Marketplace of Faith and Creativity

The Beacon – Lister Park

Share creative experiences inspired by faith and belief.

Tent of Hope: Guided Walks around Lister Park

The Beacon – Lister Park

Join us for a gentle guided walk around Lister Park.

Tent of Hope: An Evening of Stories and Music

The Beacon – Lister Park

A warm, welcoming and intimate evening of storytelling from around the world.

BBC Introducing at The Underground

The Underground

BBC Introducing gigs at Bradford's iconic The Underground.

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.

The Cocoa Butter Club

The Beacon – Lister Park

It's time to lotion up baby!

Whale, Where Are You Going?

S. Production

The Beacon – Lister Park

Move over, Moby Dick! There's a mysterious new whale at large in the ocean.

BBC Introducing at The Beacon

The Beacon – Lister Park

Unfortunately this event has been cancelled

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

Bradford District Museums & Galleries

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

Storm Gathering

ARK Bradford

The Beacon – Lister Park

A Bradford-wide conversation about climate and community draws to a close with this special event at The Beacon.

EGGS COLLECTIVE’S DARK NIGHTS

Loading Bay

Twisted cabaret nights at Loading Bay.

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.

The Baton of Hope

The Beacon – Lister Park

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

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.

On Yer Bike

The Beacon – Lister Park

Discover the unexpected meanings of cycling... with no lycra in sight!

Gaana Shaana

The Beacon – Lister Park

An evening of Song, Stories & South Asian Vibes.

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.

Make Yourself at Home

Impressions Gallery

Ten young people curate a major exhibition at Impressions Gallery.

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 Archers Podcast recording

St George's Hall

Join host Emma Freud and poet Rachel Bower to dig deep into the latest events in Ambridge.

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 Introducing Showcase

St George's Hall

See the best emerging spoken word musical talent from the Bradford area.

Launch of the National Young Poet Laureate programme

Alhambra Theatre

In partnership with National Poetry Centre.

BBC Radio 4 Front Row

St George's Hall

BBC Radio 4’s flagship arts programme, live from Bradford.

Bradford Open Mic Night

City Library

Bradford Open Mic is a space open to all to read, perform or just listen to poetry and spoken word.

BBC Radio 4 Start the Week

Tom Sutcliffe

St George's Hall

Explore the history of Bradford and Britain through its poetry

BBC Radio Club

St George's Hall

A showcase of inspirational poetry performances by BBC Radio Club students from Keighley secondary schools.

BBC Writers: who we are and what we do

Bradford City Library

Calling all aspiring writers!

Language is a Queer Thing: Workshop

Parth Rahatekar

Bradford City Library

Explore the emotional engine of your writing

CSL Poetry Shorts: Mind & Body

Bradford City Library

Can poetry be a tool for healing both mind and body?

CSL Poetry Shorts: Music & Lyrics

Bradford City Library

Explore the blurred lines between lyrics and spoken word, musicality and metre

CSL Poetry Shorts: Poetic Justice

Bradford City Library

What is poetry’s role in social action movements, both historically and present day?

BBC Radio 4 The Adverb

St George's Hall

Testament presents the very best in poetry and performance from across the country.

Laurel Prize Announcement

City Hall: Banqueting Suite

The announcement of the winner of the 2025 Laurel Prize.

Sisterverse Poetry Night

Bradford City Library

A nurturing environment where words weave connection, confidence, and community.

Antony Szmierek

St George's Hall

Join critically acclaimed spoken-word artist and musician Antony Szmierek for an evening of infectious lyrics.

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.

Poetry Takeaway

The Beacon – Lister Park

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

Public Art on City Park

City Park

Creativity hits the pavement in Bradford! Join in and put your mark on City Park.

National Literacy Trust Stories Bus

City Park

Once an American school bus, the Bradford Stories Bus has been transformed into an inspiring space for storytelling, reading, writing, and relaxing for children and families in Bradford.

BBC Introducing Panel

Loading Bay

Come and get involved in the BBC's platform for emerging talent, meet fellow artists and get advice on submitting your own music.

CSL Poetry Shorts: Words in the Wild

City Library

Explore the powerful connection between nature-connectedness, poems and wellbeing.

The Verb

St George's Hall

Ian McMillan’s cabaret of the word welcomes guests Imtiaz Dharker, Keiron Higgins and Nabeela Ahmed.

Make Yourself at Home: Family Poetry

Impressions Gallery

A new exhibition sharing an archive of family photographs which celebrate the people who call Bradford home.

Laurel Prize workshop: Reading the Finalists

Bradford City Library

Explore the diverse ways this year’s finalists have written about nature, the more-than-human and the climate crisis.

CSL Poetry Shorts: Migration and Belonging

Bradford City Library

The story of Bradford, like so much of the UK, is the story of migration.

Laurel Prize workshop: Ecopoetry’s Cutting Edge

Bradford City Library

Daljit Nagra, celebrated poet and 2025 Laurel Prize Judge, walks us through the current landscape of ecopoetry.

Word Out Sharing Event

Bradford City Library

Celebrating creativity, individuality, and pride.

Sustainability Panel: The Present

Bradford City Library

What can a poem do that’s special, to connect us with the natural world day to day?

PLOT17 Performance

City Park

A hip-hop eco block party for audiences aged 7+.

The Book of Bradford launch

Loading Bay

Join Comma Press for the launch of The Book of Bradford, specially commissioned by Bradford 2025 to celebrate the City of Culture year.

BBC Radio 4 Loose Ends

With Edith Bowman

St George's Hall

Comedy, music and lively conversation with Radio 4’s Loose Ends programme.

Listen In: Jeremy Dyson & Mark Gatiss

Jeremy Dyson & Mark Gatiss

St George's Hall

A chance to hear a new "mini road movie" for Radio 4 by Jeremy Dyson, followed by a Q&A.

An Evening with the Beehive Poets: Poetry Playground

Bradford City Library

An evening of playful poetry readings with Bradford's renowned poetry collective, the Beehive Poets.

CSL Poetry Gala: Part I

St George's Hall

A very special line up with our Core CSL Poets on the same bill for the first time.

CSL Poetry Shorts: The Power of the Women of Bradford

Bradford City Library

The voices of Bradford’s women, now and through history, are distinctive, strong and effective.

Wild Uplands end of summer party

Venues across Haworth

A day of walks, talks, exhibitions and more.

Words First Showcase

St George's Hall

Celebrate the most talented emerging poets and spoken word artists from across the UK.

Language is a Queer Thing Showcase

Loading Bay

Six queer poets from India and the UK take to the stage to explore how language can be reclaimed, refashioned, and made bigger, to hold queer lives and longings.

Listen In: Nick Ahad

Loading Bay

An exclusive chance to hear the Radio 4 comedy drama Blue Envelopes by Nick Ahad, presenter for BBC Radio Leeds and Radio 4’s Front Row followed by a Q&A.

CSL Poetry Shorts: Love in the 21st Century

Bradford City Library

How do I love thee, let me 'swipe right' the ways?

Peregrinations: Urban Nature Poetry Walk

Antony Dunn

Meet outside Bradford City Library

Explore the heart of Bradford from an unusual new perspective, meandering along an urban nature walk with poet Antony Dunn.

Yoga & Poetry Workshop

Emma Conally-Barklem

Bradford City Library

Join poet and yoga teacher Emma Conally-Barklem for a Sunday morning stretch.

Sustainability Panel: Shadows and Light

Bradford City Library

We live in a time in a time of great loss and great possibility. How can poetry help us balance the two?

CSL Poetry Shorts: Mills & Hills

Bradford City Library

Emma Conally-Barklem, Testament, Saju Ahmed, Emily Zobel Marshall and Antony Dunn read work shaped by the North’s bricks and becks.

Alfred Bradley Bursary Award (ABBA)

St George's Hall

Hear extracts from the scripts shortlisted for this year's Alfred Bradley Bursary Award for radio drama and discover who has won the coveted prize.

BBC Radio 4 Beyond Belief

Giles Fraser

St George's Hall

Explore the place and shape of faith in today's world.

Bards of Bradford Installation (Doodlewall)

The Broadway Bradford

Discover the people's poetry of Bradford and add your own Doodles!

Forward Prize Launch

St George's Hall

Celebrating the 2025 Forward Book of Poetry with readings from Rommi Smith, J. R. Carpenter, Griot Gabriel and Isabelle Baafi.

CSL Poetry Gala: Part II

10 of the Core Poets

St George's Hall

The second part of our very special events with the Core CSL Poets on the same bill for the first time.

Sustainability Panel: Future

Bradford City Library

How do we want to live with nature in the future - and can a poem help us to get there?

Big Bradford WESTival Celebration

Bradford West Area Coordinators

The Beacon – Lister Park

A showcase evening of music, dance and performance.

Let’s Make

Lou Sumray

The Beacon – Lister Park

Get creative with artist Lou Sumray at these free family-friendly workshops in Lister 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

Youth Pass: Breakin – Dance Class

Mind the Gap

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

Wandering Imaginations

Haworth, Accra and beyond

The Brontës’ imaginary worlds reimagined for 2025.

The Power of Public Sculpture

with Henry Moore Institute

Venues across Bradford

Celebrating public sculpture through a series of talks and symposiums.

Turner Prize Art & Play for under 5s

Museums for Play and Growth

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

Join these free, family-friendly sessions at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery inspired by the Turner Prize.

Turner Prize

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

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

The Beacon DRAW!

Part of Our Patch

The Beacon - Lister Park

Join us for a colourful celebration of creativity inspired by David Hockney.

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…