26 Jul 2025
Zee and the City
Puppets with Guts
One giant puppet. One buzzing city. One epic adventure.
Join us at BD: Festival for a spectacular adventure through the streets of Bradford – led by a towering puppet…
Meet Zee, a fearless young woman from the heart of Bradford who’s mad about custom cars and buzzing bees. Zee’s got big dreams for the future – and on Saturday 26 July, this four-metre puppet invites you on a joyful journey through Bradford’s past, present and future as she looks to find a home for nature in the city…
Zee and the City is a high-energy celebration of youth, culture and community in one thrilling street adventure. Created especially for Bradford 2025 by Puppets with Guts, this blend of music, storytelling and awe-inspiring puppetry will wind its way through the city centre before reaching City Park as part of BD:Festival 2025.
Suitable for all the family and completely free, this large-scale show promises to be one of the highlights of our year as UK City of Culture.
Build a car and join the show!
Zee’s Cardboard Car Garage will be open in City Park during BD:Festival 2025 on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July. Drop in to create your very own custom cardboard car – we’ll provide the materials, you provide the imagination. Then bring your car back on Saturday and drive it into Zee’s epic city adventure. (Under-18s: bring a parent or guardian to keep you company behind the wheel.)
About Puppets with Guts
Puppets with Guts create jaw-dropping, large-scale puppetry that’s playful, powerful and full of imagination. Famed for combining bold big puppet spectacle with cutting-edge creativity, they bring people together through unforgettable performances in public spaces.
Get involved
Want to be part of an exciting opportunity with Puppets with Guts and learn new skills, gain confidence and perform as part of BD Fest?
Apply to become a participant in Zee in the City below.
Lead image: Designed by Ben Holden (BJ the Bear).
