Where It Began

Osman Yousefzada

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

A personal look at migration, identity and community.

Les Girafes

Compagnie OFF

Bradford city centre

A magical street show – led by seven red giraffes.

A Portrait of Us

Aïda Muluneh

Across the district

A photographic celebration of our unsung heroes.

RISE

Kirsty Housley & Steven Frayne (formerly known as Dynamo)

City Park

Our sold out opening event.

A Grand Day Out

National Science and Media Museum

Celebrating the reopening of the National Science and Media Museum.

Nationhood: Memory and Hope

Aïda Muluneh

Across the UK

This exhibition in 2025 gave us a modern-day insight into our four nations.

Grue: family craft workshops

Across Bradford District

These free family workshops across the district helped us build the enchanted world of Grue.

David Hockney: Pieced Together

National Science and Media Museum

A temporary exhibition at the National Science and Media Museum.

La Haine – Live

Asian Dub Foundation

St George’s Hall

ADF played live to Mathieu Kassovitz’s cult thriller.

DRAW a Mini Portrait

Shipley Library

Local artists Nicola and Dan ran this workshop to draw a portrait on a mini canvas.

DRAW Coffee Morning

T.F.D. Centre

We beat the January blues with artist Emily Parkin in Holme Wood.

Discover the joy of creative drawing

Laisterdyke Library & Community Hub

Duncan Burnett shared tips and tricks to improve our drawing skills.

DRAW like Hockney

Manningham Library

In this workshop we used colour and expressive marks to draw our own Hockney inspired landscapes.

Fighting to Be Heard

British Library

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

Boxing, calligraphy and the collections of the British Library.

Fighting to Be Heard: Big Celebration Day

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

A free day of family-friendly activities as part of Fighting to Be Heard.

Bradford 2025 Launch Celebration

Airedale Shopping Centre, Keighley

A day of entertainment in Keighley to celebrate Bradford 2025.

Jungle Book reimagined

Akram Khan Company

Alhambra Theatre

Akram Khan Company made their Bradford debut.

A Taste of Honey

Tony Richardson, 1961

Pictureville Cinema at the National Science and Media Museum

With post-screening discussion with Clio Barnard and Annabel Grundy.

I AM ME

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

An exhibition created with young people from across Bradford District.

Bhaji on the Beach

Gurinder Chadha, 1993

Pictureville Cinema at the National Science and Media Museum

Gurinder Chadha and Meera Syal’s funny, frank and touching comedy.

Under the Skin [35mm]

Carine Adler, 1997

Pictureville Cinema at the National Science and Media Museum

Two sisters struggle to deal with the death of their mother. With introduction from Dr Karen Thornton.

Wuthering Heights [35mm]

Andrea Arnold, 2011

Pictureville Cinema at the National Science and Media Museum

Andrea Arnold’s elemental take on Emily Bronte’s masterful novel. With introduction from writer and critic Kate Stables.

Fighting to Be Heard: Calligraphy Lecture & Workshop

Razwan Ul-Haq

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

Attendees learnt new skills with artist and calligrapher Razwan Ul-Haq.

Grue

Wintercroft & ARCADE

Damart Mill, Bingley

A wintry world built by the people of Bradford.

Northern Soul

Elaine Constantine, 2014

Pictureville Cinema at the National Science and Media Museum

The story of a 1970s youth culture that changed a generation.

Typist Artist Pirate King

Carol Morley, 2022

Pictureville Cinema at the National Science and Media Museum

A darkly funny exploration of a friendship between two women.

Grue: For Home Educators

Wintercroft & ARCADE

Damart Mill, Bingley

In these sessions, home educators explored a wintry world.

Welcome Ramadan Conference 2025

St George's Hall

Scholars, activists, community leaders and changemakers discussed spirituality, faith and culture.

Ramadan Pavilion 2025

Zarah Hussain & Fatima Mejbil

A specially commissioned structure that celebrated the holy month of Ramadan.

The DRAW! Tour

Venues across Bradford District

We hosted hands-on drawing workshops across the district, part of Our Patch.

Photo Conversations

Impressions Gallery

A day of advice, talks and behind-the-scenes insights into Nationhood: Memory and Hope.

In Bruges [35mm] & Six Shooter [Short Film] (18)

Pictureville Cinema

Martin McDonagh’s cult debut feature on 35mm

The Dreams I Had: Andrea Dunbar

St George's Hall

Celebrating one of Bradford’s most distinctive voices.

Extraordinary Portraits with Bill Bailey

Loading Bay

Breathtaking portraits – incredible personal stories.

The Arbor (2010)

Clio Barnard

Pictureville Cinema at the National Science and Media Museum

Clio Barnard’s innovative portrayal of the late Bradford playwright Andrea Dunbar.

Ginger Johnson’s Fun House

Loading Bay

Welcome to the House of Fun.

Lady Maisery with O’Hooley & Tidow

Loading Bay

A double bill of English folk music royalty.

Dracula

Blackeyed Theatre

Loading Bay

It was fright night at Loading Bay!

Open Iftar

We broke fast with Ramadan Tent Project.

Dragons

Eun-Me Ahn Dance Company

Alhambra Theatre

Dance Consortium presented Eun-Me Ahn’s kaleidoscopic production.

Share Your Story: Bradford Stories Bus

National Literacy Trust in Bradford

Across the district

We invited children and young people to share their stories aboard a classic American school bus.

Not Even Water

BBC Asian Network

Common Space, Bradford

We joined BBC Asian Network for a live episode in Bradford!

Unspun Stories

509 Arts

Loading Bay

An immersive installation that explored Bradford's textile heritage.

National Saturday Club: Games Design

Bradford College

Bradford College created a new Games Design Saturday Club for 13-16 year olds.

National Saturday Club: Performance & Theatre

Bradford School of Art, Bradford College

Bradford College created a new Performance & Theatre Saturday Club for 13-16 year olds.

Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story [+ Q&A]

Pictureville Cinema at National Science and Media Museum

Pauline Black told her extraordinary life story in a feature documentary.

Time for Tea

Impressions Gallery

We headed to Impressions Gallery for tea and cake at their friendly social morning.

asses.masses: game making workshop

Loading Bay

Join asses.masses creators Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim for an afternoon of game making.

Clean North

Tranquil Productions

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Bradford’s premier breakdance crew joined us in Wibsey for a high-energy show and dance workshop.

The Great Adventure Build – for home educators

Woodland Tribe

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Home educators and their children built an adventure play structure like no other!

International Roma Day Celebration

European Drom CIC

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Everyone was welcome at this celebration of Roma culture.

Play Bradford’s Mobile Adventure Playground

Play Bradford

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

We teamed up with Play Bradford to bring mobile play to The Beacon in Wibsey Park

Eliza Carthy

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

The Queen of English folk music visited The Beacon for a rare solo show in Bradford.

asses.masses

Patrick Blenkarn & Milton Lim

Loading Bay

This was a live video game played by you, the audience.

Claytime

Indefinite Articles

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

A family show with a difference – an interactive play made out of clay!

Palette(s)

Cie Moost

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

A show for two artists, 20 wooden pallets – and one bottle of water.

Toxic

Nathaniel J Hall

Loading Bay

Sometimes, survival means knowing when to leave.

Feed your Mind: Curator’s Talk and Tour

Impressions Gallery

Curator Anne McNeill held a special talk and tour of Nationhood: Memory and Hope.

Roshni

Sonia Sabri Company

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

A beautiful blend of South Asian dance and music

The Big Beacon Family Welcome

The Beacon

You enjoyed an afternoon of family fun.

BBC Radio 2 Loves Brass

with Marti Pellow and Carly Paoli

St. George's Hall

A night that showcased the range of brass music - hosted by Zoe Ball.

Echoes of the North

Victoria Hall, Saltaire

BD1 Brass played live to an extraordinary film, celebrating the way we were.

Reggae + Brass

Jerry ‘Red Dred’ Crawford, Natural Rhythm

Loading Bay

Join us as we celebrate the first night of The Big Brass Blowout with a reggae and roots reunion headlined by a true Bradford legend.

LOUD & PROUD Dhol Drumming

Punjabi Roots

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Audiences learnt to play the iconic dhol drum at this free workshop.

The Big Brass Blast

Norfolk Gardens

We took our weekend-long brass celebration to the heart of the city with a series of free outdoor gigs.

Balkan Beats & Brass

DJ Marco

The Underground

The Underground went east for a night of Balkan brass bangers.

Brass Oranje

Kymara, Sam Newbould Quintet, Peter Somuah

Loading Bay

We went Dutch with this showcase of three great new acts from the Netherlands.

Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers – Live

Victoria Hall, Saltaire

It was back on the big screen – this time with the live soundtrack played by the City of Bradford Brass Band.

Richard Hawley & the Black Dyke Band

St George's Hall, Bradford

Bradford’s brass legends teamed up with Sheffield’s favourite son for one night only.

Hall Royd Band

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

The famous Shipley band celebrated its 80th birthday with a free concert in Wibsey Park for The Big Brass Blowout.

Kala Sangam Calligraphy Workshop & Talk

Augmenting Bradford's DNA with Razwan Ul-Haq

Kala Sangam Arts Centre

Attendees helped make a unique work of homegrown art.

Brass on a Sunday Afternoon

Toby Brazier Sextet, Omotola & Friends, Hot Aire!

Loading Bay

Cool jazz, hot Yoruba sounds and a classic brass band – it was an eclectic Sunday at Loading Bay.

KOKOROKO

Plus support from TC & the Groove Family

St George's Hall, Bradford

The powerhouse London collective rounded out our brass weekender.

Curious Investigators

One Tenth Human

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

We stopped an egg from smashing in this cracking adventure for children aged 3–7 and their grown-ups…

CBeebies Bedtime Stories Day

CBeebies

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Once upon a time… Evie Pickerill and George Webster from CBeebies brought the magic of Bedtime Stories to The Beacon.

Youth Pass: DRAW! with Shanaz Gulzar

The Millside Centre

A hands-on drawing workshop with Shanaz Gulzar.

It’s Your Round

Scary Little Girls

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Comedy met cabaret at our fabulous pub quiz night.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)

Cannon Mills

‘India’s most-loved film’ showed at the Cannon Mills Drive-In Cinema

Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)

Cannon Mills

Bollywood action comedy with a memorable soundtrack!

The Wild Robot (2024)

Cannon Mills

A classic DreamWorks animation.

Speed (1994)

Cannon Mills

Fasten your seatbelts…

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)

Cannon Mills

Three friends take a batchelor road trip to Spain.

Jab We Met (2007)

Cannon Mills

Imtiaz Ali’s joyous romantic musical comedy.

Pop!

Vince Virr

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Vince Virr’s exhilarating dance piece explored the fears, the surprises and the joys of growing up.

An Evening with Jacqui Dankworth

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

One of Britain’s finest jazz singers brought her trio to The Beacon – exclusively for Bradford 2025.

Easter Party in the Park

Teen Scene Parties

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Bradford’s premier teen party producer presented an unmissable Easter special in Wibsey.

Easter Sunday Fun

Christians Together in Wibsey and Buttershaw/Shelf

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Christians from across Wibsey and Buttershaw/Shelf joined us to mark one of the most important days in the church calendar.

Beacon Church Community Cuppa

The Beacon Church

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Beacon, meet Beacon – the local church came to our pop-up venue in Wibsey for a relaxing coffee morning.

Say It As It Is

with Kirsty Taylor

The Beacon

Speak up and listen in – Kirsty Taylor hosts a special open mic night for Bradford 2025

WoW Community Partnership

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Audiences connected with their community and checked their health at this free daytime event in Wibsey.

Repair Patch workshop

Duncan Burnett and Samina Ali

The Oneness Centre

Textile repair pop up. Let’s thread this community together, one stitch at a time!

Little Wimmin

Figs in Wigs

Loading Bay

An unorthodox, apocalyptic, cosmically catastrophic adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel.

Simon Boccanegra

Opera North

St George’s Hall

Opera North’s first performances of the Verdi classic.

Hands That Speak

Aftab

Bradford New Church

Sign, create, connect

Youth Pass: Bradford Walking Tour

Centenary Square, Outside Bradford 2025 Ticket + Info Hub

Explore the city with Blue Badge guide Sarah Cowling.

Lanre Bakare – ‘We Were There’ book launch

Loading Bay

Bradford writer Lanre Bakare joined Victor Wedderburn in conversation, chaired by Dawn Cameron.

Share Your Story: On Board at The Beacon

National Literacy Trust in Bradford

The Beacon

The Bradford Stories Bus came to The Beacon locations for story spectacular.

Family Friendly Collage Workshop

Bradford Central Library

A family-friendly collage and concertina booklet making workshop.

West Yorkshire Young Poet Laureates – Open Mic

with Sharena Lee Satti

The Beacon, Wibsey Park

West Yorkshire Young Poet Laureates and other young poets joined us for an afternoon of wonderful words.

A Night at the Musicals

Youthology

The Beacon, Wibsey Park

Young performers brought the West End to Wibsey at this special concert.

The Sticky Dance for Sensory Groovers

Second Hand Dance

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

An interactive performance installation for autistic/neurodivergent children aged 3–7.

The Sticky Dance

Second Hand Dance

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

An interactive, engaging and colourful performance installation for children aged 3–5 and their families.

Lay Down Your Burdens

Rhiannon Faith Company

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Rhiannon Faith’s acclaimed dance theatre show explored hope, compassion and transformation through the prism of a local pub

Qawwali Night at The Beacon

Qaisar Mahmood Qawwal Group

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

An evening of Qawwali, live at The Beacon in Wibsey Park.

Rose Illingworth: Born to the Boats

Northern Duck Productions

Leeds-Liverpool Canal

Historical theatre that was on the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

Bingley 25 Weekend

Venues around Bingley

A celebration of culture and heritage in Bingley in 2025.

Peace Picnic

The Peace Museum

The Beacon

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

Les Enfants Terribles: A Gameshow for Awful Children

Marcel Lucont

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Comedian Marcel Lucont pitted kids against grown-ups with the aim of crowning the most awful child in Bradford…

Marcel Lucont’s Whine List

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Alternative comedy met group therapy – did you get your moans off your chest with the UK’s favourite French comic?

Guided Walk: Yorkshire Heritage Walk

Burley in Wharfedale Railway Station.

With Burley Walkers are Welcome.

Let’s Make

Lou Sumray

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

Free family-friendly workshops in Wibsey Park with artist Lou Sumray.

Bradford Belles

The Beacon – Wibsey Park

The mighty Belles brought their new walkabout street performance to The Beacon

Bradford Roots: Legacy in Focus

Facilitated by Sinead Campbell

A creative workshop inspired by Bradford’s African Caribbean community

The Brontës by Anita Rani: Sisters of Disruption

Pictureville Cinema at National Science and Media Museum

Anita Rani traced the legacy of the Brontës in a documentary screening and panel discussion.

Augmenting Bradford’s DNA: Theatre in the Mill Workshop & Talk

Razwan Ul-Haq

Theatre in the Mill

Help to make a unique work of homegrown art.

Bassline Symphony

St George’s Hall

The sound of our city as you’d never heard it before.

Share Your Story: Bradford Stories Bus in Bowling

National Literacy Trust in Bradford

Across Bowling

We invited children and young people to share their stories aboard a classic American school bus.

The 56

LUNG

Loading Bay

‘Nobody dies in football matches'

The Bradford Progress: Cow & Calf

Paraorchestra with Charles Hazlewood, Jeremy Deller & the people of Bradford.

First light, first note: Paraorchestra and Commoners Choir gathered on Ilkley Moor to begin The Bradford Progress.

The Bradford Progress: Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Paraorchestra with Charles Hazlewood, Jeremy Deller & the people of Bradford.

The Bradford Progress took to the water for a slow-moving musical journey down the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

The Bradford Progress: Roberts Park

Paraorchestra with Charles Hazlewood, Jeremy Deller & the people of Bradford.

Our two-day journey across the district reached Saltaire for a free musical celebration in the park.

The Bradford Progress: Bradford Industrial Museum

Paraorchestra with Charles Hazlewood, Jeremy Deller & the people of Bradford.

Singer Jennifer Reid led a surprising musical happening at Bradford Industrial Museum.

The Bradford Progress: Undercliffe Cemetery

Paraorchestra with Charles Hazlewood, Jeremy Deller & the people of Bradford.

Day one of The Bradford Progress finished with a reflective collaboration between Eeshar Singh and Gilank.

The Bradford Progress: Undercliffe to The Broadway

Paraorchestra with Charles Hazlewood, Jeremy Deller & the people of Bradford.

The Bradford Progress marched through the streets into the heart of the city.

The Bradford Progress: The Broadway

Paraorchestra with Charles Hazlewood, Jeremy Deller & the people of Bradford.

We experienced the orchestra from the inside out in the unlikely surroundings of The Broadway shopping centre.

The Bradford Progress: The Broadway to the Mirror Pool

Paraorchestra with Charles Hazlewood, Jeremy Deller & the people of Bradford.

The Bradford Progress concluded with a major musical moment in the heart of the city.

Nadine Shah

Plus Ellur and Claudia Fenoglio

St George's Hall

Mercury Prize-nominated Shah brought her mesmerising voice to Bradford in 2025.

Public Interest

Common/Wealth

An urgent immersive show that challenged the Criminal Justice System.

Public Interest Bassline Night

Bailey P, Mush & IFB

Loading Bay

Common/Wealth presented a Bradford Bassline night like no other, including special guest performances from the Public Interest cast.

Guided Walk: Saltaire to Ilkley

Starting point: Victoria Hall, Saltaire

with Friends of a Dales Highway.

Tape Letters

Modus Arts

Loading Bay

An exhibition that explored migration on tape.

An Evening with Resi/Dance

Dance United

The Beacon – Bowling Park

Dancers from BD4 and surrounding areas took to the stage in this community dance celebration.

Street Sounds & Bhangra Niche

Aswad Arts

The Beacon – Bowling Park

Bhangra met bassline for a one-of-a-kind evening at The Beacon.

Moomins on the Riviera (2014) & panel discussion

The Conversation x Cine Spotlights

Pictureville Cinema

We celebrated 80 years of the Moomins with this screening and Q&A.

Wild Uplands Family Launch Party

Venues across Haworth

You joined in the family-fun at our launch party for Wild Uplands.

Rombald’s Rocks: Keighley Sculpture Trail

Leonie Briggs and Keighley Creative

Keighley Town Centre

This was Keighley central’s first sculpture trail inspired by the legend of Rombald the Giant.

RedBall Project

Kurt Perschke

The longest-running street art project in the world came to the UK City of Culture.

Unseen: Ascendance at Saltaire Arts Trail

Ascendance

Victoria Hall

An exhibition that celebrated Bradford's diverse dance community.

Bowling Collective Family Welcome

The Beacon – Bowling Park

Join us in Bowling Park for an afternoon of family fun.

North Street Band

The Beacon

We rounded off The Big Beacon Family Welcome in Bowling and Cliffe Castle parks with a wide variety of music from Motown classics to current ‘top 40’.

Intro to comedy workshops

with Alex Dunlop

Keighley Healthy Living

Attendees learnt joke writing, performance skills and more at a series of workshops.

Bank Holiday Party in the Park

Teen Scene Parties

The Beacon – Bowling Park

Bradford’s premier teen party producer presented an unmissable Bank Holiday special in Bowling.

Robyn Hood

Fidget Theatre

The Beacon – Bowling Park

Fidget Theatre reinvented the classic folk tale for family audiences in 2025.

Let’s Make – Bowling Park

Lou Sumray

The Beacon – Bowling Park

We got creative with artist Lou Sumray at these free family-friendly workshops in Bowling Park.

Dancing with Colours

JoAnne Haines

The Beacon – Bowling Park

A joyful, sensory and gloriously messy creative experience for children aged 4+.

Happy Hype

Collectif OUINCH OUINCH x Mulah

The Beacon – Bowling Park

From Geneva to Bowling – OUINCH OUINCH brought carnival culture to the Beacon!

Play Bradford’s Mobile Adventure Playground – Bowling Park

Play Bradford

The Beacon – Bowling Park

We teamed up with Play Bradford to bring mobile play to The Beacon in Bowling Park.

Wild Wednesdays: Butterfly Kaleidoscopes Workshop

With Brontë Parsonage Museum

Old School Room, Haworth

You created your own kaleidoscope of butterflies inspired by Meherunnisa Asad and Studio Lél.

Urdu Shurdu Poetry Group

Rubina Akram supported by Kauser Mukhtar Creative Practitioner

ChaiiWala, Leeds Road

We shared the love of Urdu poetry and improved our literacy skills.

Sisters 360

Turtle Key Arts

The Beacon – Bowling Park

Two Muslim stepsisters tried to skate to victory in this family show from Bradford writer Asif Khan.

Repair Popup

Duncan Burnett

Barkerend family hub

A session where people could swap, stitch & repair!

Moomin 80: What Will We Do Without Exile?

Basel Zaraa

The Beacon - Bowling Park

We explored a lush world within a refugee tent, through this immersive, multi-sensory installation.

Creative Play for Under-5s

The Beacon – Bowling Park

Families got crafty in Bowling Park at this special session for under-5s and their grown-ups.

Chasing Sunlight

Sinfonia Cymru

Loading Bay

An engaging new 'audio-visual concerto' harnessing the power of the senses.

Greed

Tavaziva Dance

The Beacon – Bowling Park

Bawren Tavaziva’s electrifying dance piece reimagined the Seven Deadly Sins for the 21st century.

Penumbra

Outlands Network

Loading Bay

A musical collaboration combining, voice, video, lighting and looping.

N’dehou

Daniel Kidane and The Carice Singers

Bradford Cathedral

Composer Daniel Kidane premiered a choral work, performed by The Carice Singers

Bantam’s Drift

Brighter Sound

The Underground

Deconstructed soundscapes and images inspired by Bradford’s South Asian youth culture.

Moth x Human

Ellie Wilson

Loading Bay

A unique cross-species collaboration, where sonified moth activity was transformed into sound to spotlight the UK's declining biodiversity.

Into the Night

Jasdeep Singh Degun & BBC Concert Orchestra

St George's Hall

Ghost Weavers

The Night With...

Loading Bay

1.30pm: Loading Bay
Immerse yourself in a multilayered sound experience infused with folk song

The Path

Halina Rice

St George's Hall

3pm: St George's Hall
Walk a new trail with electronic music artist Halina Rice in this exciting new collaboration with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Holocene

Ailís Ní Ríain, Onyx Brass and Hammonds Band

Bradford Cathedral

A reimagining of the contemporary brass ensemble with a bold and unconventional work exploring our current geological epoch.

Requiem

All Men Unto Me

Loading Bay

An electrifying live performance of three tracks from All Men Unto Me’s latest album.

Yearn

Sipho

St George's Hall

Yearn: to have an intense feeling of longing for something, typically something that one has lost or been separated from.

DANCE SUITE

Alex Groves and Zubin Kanga

The Underground

Baroque music as it would sound on today’s dance floor.

Giddha Workshop

Club Ekta

The Beacon – Bowling Park

We celebrated culture, movement, and community in a women-only space designed to uplift and energise.

The Tiger Lillies

The Beacon – Bowling Park

Oddball cabaret, dark humour and seriously catchy tunes from London’s legendary masters of the macabre.

Impact Gamers LiVE

Impact Gamers

Pictureville Cinema

An interactive showcase of games made by young Bradford designers.

Punjabi Culture by Saath

The Beacon – Bowling Park

We celebrated Punjabi Culture through song and poetry from the local community.

Pentecost Party

The Beacon – Bowling Park

We celebrated Pentecost in Bowling Park with churches from across Bradford.

Wonky Olympics

SD Theatre

The Beacon – Bowling Park

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

Nocturnal Sun

Chisara Agor

Loading Bay

This live performance and conceptual film will took audiences on a journey across an arid landscape.

MARCH

Contemporary Music for All: CoMA

St George's Hall

A powerful, joyful performance and thinking deeper about the many forms of protest.

Thar Farraige (Over Sea)

Linda Buckley

Loading Bay

Chamber and folk music combined in a moving meditation on love, loss and home

Mercury Songs

Emily Levy and Matthew Bourne

Loading Bay

An experimental piece by a five-piece ensemble that recast British folk traditions for today

GLOW

Xenia Pestova Bennett and Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble

St George’s Hall

Composer-pianist Xenia Pestova Bennett to created an electic soundscape at St George’s Hall

Voice Notes

Another Sky Festival

Loading Bay

Refugees and migrants shared their stories in this creative sound-world.

Dhamaal – Core

Shri Sriram and Serious Trust

Loading Bay

A fusion of South Asian, Jazz and electronic music in this up-tempo work full of joyful energy.

P E A C E

Verity Watts and Manchester Jazz Festival

St George's Hall

Does music about peace have to be peaceful? What does peace sound like in 2025?

Future of Music in Technology Conference

University of Bradford and Online

In June 2025 we explored the future of music with the intersection of technology.

The Big Thing

Immersive Arts

Across Bradford

This event brought together artists, creatives, researchers, and technologists from across the UK and beyond who want to shape the future of immersive art.

Cemetery songwriting workshops

Commoners Choir

Undercliffe Cemetary

Free songwriting workshops in Undercliffe Cemetery that celebrated Bradford's workers.

The Blank Page Club

Holme in the Wood Cafe

This was a series of storytelling & art workshops for everyone

Sustenance: The Power of Food

Edible Archives

The Beacon – Bowling Park

A shared meal and discussion on the importance of food in our communities.

TESTO

Wet Mess

Loading Bay

Wet Mess, Wet Messified transitions, testosterone and the edges of drag.

Sip and Paint

Creative Flare

Dominican Association, BD8 8ET

Sip and Paint was a chance to chill, create, and connect with friends.

Guided Walk: Top Withens

Haworth

With the Midweek Wayfarers.

Everything for Everyone!

Home of Metal

Loading Bay

A celebration of resistance and building cooperation.

Share Your Story: On Board at The Beacon, Bowling Park

National Literacy Trust in Bradford

The Beacon, Bowling Park

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

STATUESQUE at The Beacon

Chicks on Sticks & Naomi Parker

The Beacon, Bowling Park

Costumed characters, free family workshops and a community parade.

Pop-Up Family Pride

Curious Arts

The Beacon – Bowling Park

We celebrated creativity, individuality and self-expression with our family-friendly Pride celebration.

Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)

Horton Park Avenue Car Park

A heartfelt, funny, and deeply relatable story about love, identity, and family ties. This was a Moving Cinema screening at Horton Park Avenue car park.

Youth Pass: DJ Turntablist Workshop

Mind the Gap

Youth Pass members learnt the art of turntablism with Turn Styles.

Big Quiffy Bingo

Boogaloo Stu

The Beacon – Bowling Park

Eyes down! Boogaloo Stu brought a bingo night like no other to The Beacon…

Yoga & Brunch

Club Ekta

The Beacon – Bowling Park

We celebrated well-being, unwound and relaxed at this Yoga and brunch event for women.

Language: no broblem

Marah Haj Hussein

Loading Bay

A theatrical journey into multilingualism.

Museums for Play and Growth

The Beacon – Bowling Park

A free stay-and-play session for under-5s and their grown-ups in Bowling Park and Bolling Hall Museum.

Guided Walk: Northcliffe and Red Beck

Northcliffe Woods and Heaton Woods

With Friends of Bradford’s Becks

The Big Blue Bradford House

Stand and Be Counted

The Beacon - Bowling Park

We joined Stand & Be Counted, the UK’s first theatre company of sanctuary, to mark Refugee Week and celebrate Moomins 80

Back to Black

Belgrave House Band

The Beacon – Bowling Park

Leeds’s leading jazz and soul masters performed Amy Winehouse’s iconic album live at The Beacon.

Happy Baby

Stand and Be Counted

The Beacon - Bowling Park

Two special sessions of sensory play for under-4s and their grown-ups at The Beacon in Bowling Park.

Penguin

Hamzeh Al Hussien & Amy Golding

The Beacon – Bowling Park

One man’s extraordinary journey from Syria to England. “Be proud. Be who you are. Be more Penguin.”

Eid Mini Mela

East Riddlesden Hall

We celebrated Eid al-Adha at East Riddlesden Hall, in partnership with Highfield Community Centre and Sangat Centre Keighley.

Summer Solstice Solace

Penistone Hill Country Park & Old School Room, Haworth

Celebrate the longest day of the year.

Peace Picnic: Bowling

The Peace Museum

The Beacon – Bowling Park

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

Stories from Valley Parade

Valley Parade

We headed to Valley Parade in summer 2025 to look back on a fantastic season.

Intercultured Festival: Connecting Communities

The Beacon, Bowling Park

Family activities to mark Refugee Week, aimed at building bridges with communities.

Youth Pass: Guided walk, chat & treats in Saltaire

Saltaire Train Station

Youth Pass members took a walk with Bradford creatives and Bradford 2025's Creative Director Shanaz Gulzar.

Film4 Presents – Hot Milk

Pictureville Cinema

We joined award-winning director Rebecca Lenkiewicz and producer Christine Langhan for a special preview and post-screening Q&A of this remarkable directorial debut, ahead of the MUBI general release.

The Pahari-Pothwari Literature Project

Nabeela Ahmed

Loading Bay

New writings created in the rarely-seen Pahari-Pothwari language and English.

Guided Walk: Undercliffe Cemetery

Undercliffe Cemetery, The Lodge

With the team at Undercliffe.

Pink in the Park

Peel Park

Peel Park hosted a free fun day out to celebrate the rich history of Bradford’s LGBTQ+ communities.

Bradford Literature Festival: Feeding the Future

Stuart Gillespie

The Ernest Saville Room, City Hall

This event provided insightful discussion on sustainable food systems.

Bradford Literature Festival: Memoirs of Food, with Angela Hui the & Candice Chun

Angela Hui & Candice Chung

The Ernest Saville Room, City Hall

We enjoyed a moving exploration of food, memory and identity.

Bradford Literature Festival: Grace Dent & Nisha Katona in Conversation

Grace Dent & Nisha Katona

St George's Hall

You joined us for the launch of the brand-new nationwide reading campaign.

Bradford 2025 Poetry Slam

The Beacon

Two nights. Bradford’s next generation of poets. One unforgettable slam.

Wondering Heights

Lucy Barker

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

Tu i Tam/Tyt i Tam

Tim Smith & Marta Szymańska

Loading Bay

An exhibition that documented our Polish and Ukrainian communities.

Memories of the Future

Akram Khan with Helen Linsell

The Alhambra Theatre

An ambitious dance work starring the people of Bradford.

Bradford Literature Festival: Bradford, Food & Writing – A Taste from Home

Habiba Desai & Shahnaz Ahsan

Banqueting Suite, City Hall

We discussed how food writing can connect culture and cuisine.

Bradford Literature Festival: Breaking Bread with Kitty and Al Tait

Kitty & Al Tait

The Ernest Saville Room, City Hall

We discovered the life-changing power of baking and bread.

Bradford Literature Festival: The Food Our Grandmothers Knew

Radhika Howarth

Festival Hub, City Park

We look at how food and culture gets passed down through generations.

Bradford Literature Festival: Recipe for Fiction – The Language of Food with Annabel Abbs

Annabel Abbs

University of Bradford

We had a thought-provoking celebration of words and nourishment.

Bradford Literature Festival: Preserving Culture and Memory with Food

Samantha Ellis & Bee Wilson

University of Bradford

A dialogue between Samantha Ellis and Bee Wilson.

Bradford Literature Festival: A Culinary Journey through al-Andalus

Fiona Dunlop & Daniel L. Newman

Bradford Live

This event gave you an insight into the medieval food culture across al-Andalus and North Africa.

My Thousand Year Old Land (A Song for BiH)

Loading Bay

A story of the search for truth, justice and hope through three generations of women.

Youth Pass: Sip & DRAW! Zine & Comic Workshop

Millside Centre

Attendees sipped mocktails, ate cake, and got creative with artist YAYA, making their own zine or comic!

Imaginary Friends

Daniel Bye

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

After a tragic event, a floundering TV comic takes comfort in his imaginary friends.

Drag-Ford

Bradford Drag Collective

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

An evening of cabaret with five local drag artists from Keighley and beyond.

Tu i Tam/Tyt i Tam: traditional craft workshops

Loading Bay

We used traditional Polish and Ukrainian techniques to create your own unique piece of art.

The Big Beacon Family Welcome

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Join us at Cliffe Castle Park for an afternoon of family fun.

North Street Band

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

We rounded off The Big Beacon Family Welcome at Cliffe Castle Park with a wide variety of music from Motown classics to current top 40.

A Good Yarn: BD10 Roll

Luke Jerram & Bloomin' Buds

Ravenscliffe Avenue, BD10 0JJ

Roll with it! Our giant ball of yarn rolls into BD10.

Hollywood Meets Bollywood

Yorkshire Life Aquatic

Ilkley Lido

A splashing community dance fusion project at Ilkley Lido.

Guided Walk: Baildon Moor Circular

Baildon bus terminus on Towngate

With Baildon Walkers are Welcome.

Chasing The Wind

Loading Bay

A musical theatrical story about our time and a future that we shaped.

Guided Walk: St Ives Circular Walk

Blind Lane car park.

With Bingley Walkers are Welcome.

Loaded Laughs at The Beacon

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Bradford 2025's comedy night, live at The Beacon.

The Railway Children

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

The classic production on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

Guided Walk: Judy Woods

Judy Woods main entrance, Station Road.

With Bradford CHA.

Health and Wellbeing Day

Keighley and Worth Valley Community Partnership

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

You connected with your community and got your health checked at this free daytime event.

What are you watching?

Friends of Bradford Art Galleries and Museums

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

We explored the development of film culture in Bradford and Keighley.

Say It As It Is: Cliffe Castle Park

with Kirsty Taylor

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Speak up and listen in – Kirsty Taylor hosts a special open mic night for Bradford 2025

Come Rest In Chaos

Shivaangee Agrawal

Loading Bay

A mesmering and playful multi-sensory world.

Seen & Heard: Here & There

Loading Bay

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

Teen Scene: Party in the Park

Teen Scene Parties

The Beacon

Bradford’s premier teen party producer presented a series of parties for teenagers at The Beacon.

LOUD & PROUD Dhol Drumming

Punjabi Roots

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Audiences learned to play the iconic dhol drum at this free workshop.

Wild Uplands Walk & Write

At Haworth Festival

Old School Room, Haworth

This was 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 came 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

Bradford West felt the culture and shared the joy!

Rugby Tots

The Beacon - Cliffe Castle

We tried out 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

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

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.

The City as a Festival

Leeds School of Architecture

Loading Bay

Alternative futures for a landmark building in the heart of Bradford were explored.

Play Bradford’s Mobile Adventure Playground

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

We teamed 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.

Wuthering Nights

South Square Centre

South Square Centre

World of Women Walkabout Show

Cecil Green Arts

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Larger than life, handmade puppets entertained the crowds at Cliffe Castle Park.

Colorsphere

Hands Some Feet & Opus Company

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Colorsphere was not your average circus.

Babysphere

Hands Some Feet & Opus Company

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

We explored a world of colour, movement, and sound.

BD: Festival 2025

Bradford City Centre

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

Zee’s Cardboard Car Garage

Puppets with Guts

City Park

Everyone was welcome to get involved in Zee in the City by building their own cardboard car.

Dorine Mugisha – Exposed

City Park

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

Now And Then

Pitch'd Productions

City Park

Slapstick comedy met aerial acrobatics.

Charlotte Brontë: Senseless Trash

Brontë Suite, Hall Ings

In July 2025 we joined our Four Nations recipient, Fran Bundey, for a phonic field trip over the Yorkshire Moors.

Intercultured Festival: Exploring Heritage

Bradford City Library

We explored the traditions of weaving, knitting and crochet.

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

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

Baby Gareth and The Norbert Nannies

City Park

They had a nightmare on their hands in the shape of Giant Baby Gareth!

Melter

Robbie Thomson

City Park

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

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 took over The Beacon.

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

We enjoyed 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

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

Celebrating Culture at Cliffe Castle

Highfield Community Association

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

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

Yorkshire Calling

Bradford Live

We celebrated Yorkshire Day at Bradford Live.

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

This was a family fun-filled two-day finale of 2025's amazing Festival of Archaeology.

Summer Sounds: Saturday

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

Summer Sounds: Sunday

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

How to Get Published

with Penguin Books

Loading Bay

This panel explored what it takes to bring a book to life.

Youth Pass: Radio Production Workshops

BCB, Bradford Community Broadcasting

Youth Pass members created, delivered and recorded their very own radio show with BCB!

Summer of Song

Steeton Male Voice Choir

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Steeton Male Voice Choir celebrated 118 years of singing.

Nature-Inspired Crafts

Amy Hall

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

This was 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 presented 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

Centenary Square was filled with multicoloured foam to celebrate National Play Day.

Youth Fest

Bradford Youth Service
Keighley Team

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

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

Cardboard Set Design Workshop

Loading Bay

You created a set piece to be featured at the Re:Born event.

Art & Song

Emily Parkin and Stephanie Warrender

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

Imaginative sessions that combined music and drawing.

OUR STORY

Nebula Girls Group

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

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

Cliffe Castle Park 75th Birthday Bash

Starring Statuesque

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

We celebrated 75 years of Cliffe Castle Park at their birthday bash!

Rich(ard) Dawson

Plus Guests

Loading Bay

He returned to tour his new record, End of the Middle.

Bradford StoryHub Drop In

Bradford StoryHub

The Beacon – Cliffe Castle Park

You found 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

This event has been cancelled.

The Great Adventure Build

Woodland Tribe

Children and young people came together to build the playground of their dreams!

BOLD! Bradford Artist Scratch Night

Loading Bay

In August we hosted an evening of new work-in-progress performances from Bradford artists and creatives.

Textile Set Design Workshop

Loading Bay

Guided Walk: Haworth Heritage Trail

Haworth

With Brontë Parsonage Museum.

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

Pictureville, National Science + Media Museum

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

Journeys with Mai

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

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

Jameel Prize: Moving Images

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

This exhibition explored the relationship between contemporary practice and Islamic tradition at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery.

The Ceremony [Gala Screening and Q&A]

Jack King

Pictureville Cinema

An award-winning debut feature set in Bradford.

Re:Born

Loading Bay

This was a one-time event that celebrated the 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.

Share Your Story: Bradford Stories Bus

National Literacy Trust in Bradford

Various locations

We’re inviting children and young people to share their stories aboard a classic American school bus.

Wild Wednesdays: Forest School Fairy Dens Workshop

With Brontë Parsonage Museum

Penistone Hill - outdoor workshop

You made 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

We shared creative experiences inspired by faith and belief.

Tent of Hope: Peace Mandala

Zareena Bano

The Beacon – Lister Park

Local artist, Zareena Bano, led a collaborative artwork creation.

Tent of Hope: Guided Walks around Lister Park

The Beacon – Lister Park

A gentle guided walk around Lister Park.

Tent of Hope: Acts of Faith and Solidarity

The Beacon – Lister Park

Within the Tent of Hope, we gathered to share Act’s of Faith and Solidarity.

Tent of Hope: Roundtable Conversations

The Beacon – Lister Park

Roundtable conversations about global conflict, climate emergency, the role and future of faith / inter-faith in today’s world.

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.

Shadmanny!

Little Foodies & Bradford South Asian Festival

The Beacon - Lister Park

Some very special foodie fun.

Bill Bailey: Thoughtifier

Bradford Live

A magical, musical mystery tour of the human mind.

The Cocoa Butter Club

The Beacon – Lister Park

An unforgettable night of cabaret, where rhythm met resistance.

Leeds Road Festival

Bradford Moor Park, BD3 7JD

We celebrated the cultural richness of Leeds Road and its thriving community!

Whale, Where Are You Going?

S. Production

The Beacon – Lister Park

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

Here We Stand

Loading Bay

An exhibition that explored peace, conflict and identity.

Woven Lives at Bradford Cathedral

Bradford Cathedral

Bradford Cathedral

Stunning glass artwork displayed in Bradford Cathedral.

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

We learnt about Hindu and Gujarati traditions at The Beacon.

Hot Caribbean Beatz in the Park

The Beacon – Lister Park

An evening of Caribbean music at The Beacon.

Art and Play Day

Bradford District Museums & Galleries

The Beacon – Lister Park

We had a go at different art techniques at this event for little artists and their grown ups.

Class Assembly

Loading Bay and Common Space

Theatres, companies and artists came together for a day of talks and panel discussions to understand the deep-rooted socio-economic inequity in the arts.

A Somali Village in Lister Park

Friends of Bradford Art Galleries and Museums

The Beacon – Lister Park

We found 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 drew to a close at this special event at The Beacon.

Days After Harvest

Double Pivot

Darley Street Market

A public installation that celebrated Bradford's Mango Season.

A World Without Death

Displace Yourself Theatre

Venues across Bradford District

It was a devilish carnival and you were invited!

Blankets & Wine Bradford

The Beacon - Lister Park

Kenya came to Manningham as we celebrated African music and culture across two stages in Lister Park.

Camille O’Sullivan – All Souls

Loading Bay

We heard Camille's love letter in song.

Peace Picnic: Lister Park

The Peace Museum

The Beacon – Lister Park

The Peace Museum host a gathering to celebrate peace, protest and community.

BBC Proms

Angélique Kidjo – African Symphony

St George's Hall

In 2025 we hosted this UK Premiere with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and special guest Corinne Bailey Rae.

ReelBFD: Digital Arts, Bradford Stories

National Science and Media Museum

Young Bradford digital artists created a new exhibition.

Khooghi

The Beacon – Lister Park

We invited everyont to join us on a journey as Kauser wove together her history with the life and songs of a Pakistani folk legend.

Remembering the Junction

Queer Places

Common Space

We explored memories of city centre pub The Junction.

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.

Northcliffe Arts Takeover

Northcliffe Woods

A new Arts Trail in Northcliffe woods, that was created by Our Patch and NEET.

Sip and Paint

Creative Flare

The Beacon – Lister Park

We chilled, created, and connected with friends.

On Yer Bike

The Beacon – Lister Park

We discovered 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?

Qigong and Tai Chi Mid Autumn Moon Festival

Yorkshire Chi

The Beacon - Lister Park

Black Inventors Travelling Exhibition

The Real McCoy™

City Hall (Customer Service Entrance)

An interactive, educational display within a venerable city landmark.

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.

Youth Pass: Sip & DRAW! Charcoal Skills

Millside Centre, BD1

Attendees sipped mocktails, ate cake, and explored the artistic ways you can use charcoal.

Show & Tell

Apna Heritage

Feversham Primary Academy

An Antiques Roadshow-style celebration of South Asian history and culture.

Saltaire Heritage Open Day

The Salt Foundation

Victoria Hall

The doors of Saltaire's historic Victoria Hall were wide open.

Bradford Unitarians

Ben Stables

Unitarian Church, Bradford

We found out about the congregation's historical links with Bradford.

Rail Story Open Day

Vintage Carriages Trust

Ingrow Railway Station, Keighley

A weekend of family-friendly activities in a Victorian-era railway station.

Drawn Together

The Big Draw Festival 2025 Launch

East Riddlesden Hall

A spectacular celebration of creativity and community!

Ice Age Art Now

British Museum

Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley

We travelled back in time with this British Museum Partnership Exhibition.

Sacred Vows and Sacred Spaces

Bradford South Asian Festival

Various locations

'Chai & Chat' sessions exploring the significance of marriage ceremonies.

Celebration of Black Music – A UK Fusion!

Go Caribbean CIC & Culture City Radio

Blue Rivera

A musical expression of togetherness connecting attendees and guests.

The Invite

Mind the Gap

The Beacon – Lister Park

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

OUR TURN Festival Launch: Practice Bradford

Loading Bay

You joined us at Loading Bay to officially launched the OUR TURN festival with Practice Bradford!

Global Dresses of the World

Intercultured Festival

BIASAN

Women-only fashion show celebrating the rich cultural heritage of textiles.

The Archers Podcast recording

St George's Hall

Host Emma Freud was joined by poet Rachel Bower to dig deep into the latest events in Ambridge.

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

We explored the history of Bradford and Britain through its poetry

Naturally Dyed: A Student Showcase

The Museum at Hanson

Hanson Academy

A lively exhibition of work in 2025 by Hanson Academy textile students.

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

The emotional engine of writing explored

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

The blurred lines between lyrics and spoken word, musicality and metre were explored.

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 presented 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 wove connection, confidence, and community.

Antony Szmierek

St George's Hall

Critically acclaimed spoken-word artist and musician Antony Szmierek held an evening of infectious lyrics.

RIDE!

TFD Centre, Holme Wood

A combination of rap, dance and theatre 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.

Resources for Democracy: A People’s History of Bradford Resource Centre

Trapezium Arts

You could step into the story of Bradford Resource Centre and explore over four decades of activism, creativity, and community power!

Public Art on City Park

City Park

Creativity hit the pavement in Bradford - we put our 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.

Its Wings Are Almost Free and Everything is Connected

Heritage Hub

South Square Centre

Artworks by women from the Methodist Modern Art Collection.

Mapping Bradford’s History

Heritage Hub

South Square Centre

A talk that celebrated a new publication unpicking the city's history.

Historic Guided Walking Tour

Heritage Hub

Meet at Saltaire United Reformed Church

A fun local history tour journeying between two time zones.

BBC Introducing Panel

Loading Bay

At this panel event in 2025, we shared advice for artists on how to submit their music to BBC Introducing, BBC's platform for emerging talent.