18 – 21 Sep 2025
BBC Contains Strong Language
The UK’s biggest poetry and performance festival comes to Bradford.
The UK’s biggest poetry and performance festival for new writing is coming to Bradford for the first time.
Contains Strong Language is the BBC’s annual celebration of poetry, performance and spoken word – and next year, it’s coming to Bradford for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
There’ll be four days of performances, readings, events and activities at venues across the city, and a host of BBC radio programmes will be recorded or broadcast live from Bradford – including The Verb, BBC Radio 4’s ‘cabaret of the word’. Much of the weekend will be free.
Check back later this year for full programme details.
Lead image: © BBC
Related Events
Various dates until 30 Aug 2025
Bradford City Centre guided walking tour
Follow Bradford’s history, origins, and its transformation into the city it is today on this guided walking tour.
18 Jun 2025
Say It As It Is: Bowling Park
with Kirsty Taylor
Speak up and listen in – Kirsty Taylor hosts a special open mic night for Bradford 2025
20 Jun 2025
EGGS COLLECTIVE’S DARK NIGHTS
Twisted cabaret nights at Loading Bay.
20-21 Jun 2025
Penguin
Hamzeh Al Hussien & Amy Golding
One man’s extraordinary journey from Syria to England. “Be proud. Be who you are. Be more Penguin.”
21 Jun 2025
Peace Picnic: Bowling
The Peace Museum
The Peace Museum host the second of five free gatherings to celebrate peace, protest and community.
21 Jun 2025
