Bradford 2025 In Numbers

As our year as UK City of Culture comes to an end, here are the stats so far…

Over 3 million audiences at Bradford 2025 events
Over 5,000 events

From the mills to the hills to the city centre – across all 30 wards we showcased the rich history and dynamic contemporary culture of Bradford.

See all past events
Drones in the sky above Saltaire spell out 'Hockney paints the sky'.
600 drones created David Hockney's work in the sky for the first time
8 out of 10 local residents said Bradford 2025 made them proud of where they live
Over 75% of our events were free
Colourful lasers and projections on buildings - a scene from RISE, the Bradford 2025 opening event.
23,000 people experienced RISE, our opening event in January
Over 30 creative health projects

These projects use the power of creativity to tackle urgent health and social challenges.

See all creative health projects
Over 160 schools and education settings took part in projects and trips
65% of suppliers used by Bradford 2025 were based in Yorkshire
Over 2,700 volunteers welcomed the world to Bradford
LNER Bradfordian train
Over 50 corporate partners and sponsors made Bradford 2025 possible
Over 650 local artists and organisations involved in the programme
95% of audiences surveyed rated events excellent or good
1 Royal visit from the King and Queen
Up to 90% reduction in carbon emissions at The Beacon

Thanks to an efficient hybrid generator fuelled by recycled cooking oil, we powered The Beacon using an efficient alternative to diesel.

Sustainability at Bradford 2025
School girls and teacher opening boxes of Penguin Books for World Book Day
4,300 free books distributed to schools with Penguin Books
18 wheels on our Incredible Moving Cinema

We took cinema classics to communities across Bradford District.

The Incredible Moving Cinema
Two young people in Bradford 2025 event t-shirts posing to the camera.
Over 2,700 young people aged 16-25 attended our creative careers events
Over 110 grassroots organisations received grants to deliver culture in communities
Over 80% of audiences and participants surveyed said events have had a positive impact on their wellbeing
Three ladies and a man sat chatting and knitting around a table
Over 87,000 local people participated in projects

Bradford residents took part in numerous events and activities such as RISE, Bloom, The Railway Children, Bradford Progress and Our Patch – we couldn’t have done it without you!

A view inside Nnena Kalu's Turner Prize installation. There are large hanging sculptures around the room made of tape, in red, green, yellow, black and more colours. Along the walls we see hanging drawings.
47,000 visitors to the Turner Prize so far
Over 250,000 Bradford 2025 pies sold

To celebrate Bradford 2025, major partner Morrisons created a unique range of pies celebrating the flavours of our district.

Learn more about our partners
Over 30 international connections

Our partnership with British Council created connections for Bradford’s cultural sector with creatives and organisations from over 30 countries across 6 continents, from Argentina to Ukraine.

Explore our international partnerships
50 new opera singers

In partnership with the BBC we created a new choir – Bantam of the Opera – made up of Bradford City AFC fans, who performed on national television and even for the King!

4 parks hosted our pop-up venue The Beacon

Wibsey Park, Bowling Park, Cliffe Castle Park and Lister Park came alive with events created by the people of Bradford.

Discover The Beacon
Over 30 local cultural organisations received capital investment

The Brontë Parsonage Museum built their first visitor toilets, The Peace Museum relocated to Salts Mill, and Ilkley Playhouse improved visitor accessibility - all thanks to these Cultural Capital Grants.

How we're investing in the future
More than 70% of residents surveyed said the programme made them feel more connected to their community
671 radio interviews in the BCB RadioBox

The touring studio of Bradford's community radio station broadcast live in locations across the district.

Listen to BCB Radio
12 months of drawing

David Hockney asked the nation to draw something beautiful for DRAW! in January, with a new artist sharing a different theme each month.

Look back on DRAW!
Over 5,500 people benefitted from training

Ranging from artist development and capacity building with Bradford Producing Hub, to mentoring and paid work placements.

How we've supported skills development
Over 22 million viewers via our BBC partnership

38% of the UK population have watched BBC content celebrating Bradford on TV and iPlayer - enough to fill Bradford City's football stadium over 880 times!

Bradford 2025 on the BBC
25% increase in city centre footfall compared to previous years