Bradford Culture

What is The Beacon?

The Beacon is a temporary performance space and venue. It will return to Wibsey Park from 1 – 31 August 2026, operating from Wednesday to Sunday.

This super-versatile venue has been designed to host a huge variety of different cultural events.

Find out more about The Beacon.

What events will take place in The Beacon?

The Beacon will feature a wide range of events, from concerts and comedy shows to family activities and community get-togethers. Some events will be produced and presented by Bradford Culture Company. Most events, though, will be created and presented by the people of Bradford, who can apply to host their own events in The Beacon for free.

Almost anything goes in The Beacon – we want it to showcase and celebrate the passion and brilliant things that local people make happen.

You might have a regular event, class, workshop, etc that you want to run in the usual way – but this time in the magical and unusual setting of The Beacon. Or you might want to make the most of The Beacon’s size and facilities to do something different, welcome more people or collaborate with other groups in your community to do something special – it’s all welcome.

Here are just a few things that we know other people are thinking about for The Beacon, which might help you to think about what you could do:

  • Children and grown-ups playgroup
  • Yoga or gentle fitness class
  • Book group meeting
  • Celebration conference and/or awards night
  • Arts and crafts class
  • Writing or journalling workshop
  • Knit-and-natter circle
  • Board games night
  • Album listening party
  • Performance or concert
  • Talk or lecture
  • Poetry reading
  • Local group/society meeting
  • Support group
  • Sound bath

Don’t worry if your idea is small-scale. If it’s at a time when we have nothing else programmed then small is fine, or we might be able to accommodate you and your idea as part of a larger event.

How can I, or my organisation, apply to host an event in The Beacon?

Please complete our Event Proposal Form in as much detail as possible – it will help us to understand what you’d like to do and how we can help you bring your ideas to life. The deadline to submit proposals is 1 June 2026.

If you have questions about the form, if you need additional support to complete the form, or if you would like to access the form in a different format, please email [email protected]

We appreciate that different events will be at varying stages of development. Please complete the form and return it as soon as you can. The earlier we receive your submission, the more we will be able to accommodate and support you.

How will you decide which events will take place in The Beacon?

We’ll review all the event proposals and will get in touch with every applicant as soon as possible. We’ll then work with all successful applicants on the specifics of each event, such as the name, date, time and technical requirements.

If you have any further questions please email [email protected]

Do we need to pay to use The Beacon?

No – we’re delighted that The Beacon will be free to use. You’ll only need to pay for any food and drinks that you buy on site, for any additional equipment that isn’t part of our standard list (see below), and for any additional specialist staff that you need us to help arrange for your event (for example, specialist sound technicians to mix sound for a musical performance). 

What facilities and equipment will be available in The Beacon?

The Beacon is a fully enclosed temporary structure designed to be flexible enough to accommodate a whole host of events.

You will come into the venue straight from the park, so people will be walking over grass to get to it.

Facilities in The Beacon include: 

  • Sound system
  • Microphones
  • Lighting
  • Induction loop
  • Chairs and seating
  • Access to power to plug in your equipment
  • Proper weatherproof flooring (you won’t be on the grass)

Facilities around The Beacon include: 

  • Toilets
  • Dressing room for performers
  • Kitchen area with fridge, sink, running water, microwave (no cooking or prep facilities)
  • Outdoor benches/ seating (weather dependent)

There is ramp access, and the Beacon is level inside and a wheelchair accessible toilet. If you, your group, or the audience you hope to attract, need access to a Changing Spaces toilet, BSL interpretation or other access support, please let us know. If you or your group would need wheelchair access to the stage please let us know.

What layouts are available - and what are their capacities?

The Beacon is a flexible space and can be laid out in multiple configurations. These layouts and their capacities are:

End-on / rows of seats

For traditional performances, talks etc.
Max capacity: 150

Standing gig

For music, DJ sets, etc.
Max capacity: 300

In the round performance

Max capacity: 100

Audience on 3-sides

Eg. a ‘horse shoe shape’
Max capacity: 100

Cabaret style

Please note there would be an extra charge for hiring in tables.
Max capacity: 80

Workshop

Eg. a yoga class, people moving around, etc.
Max capacity: 40

Could you help us to plan our event?

The Beacon team can offer guidance and support regarding lighting, sound, facilities, equipment, timings and other practical matters. We can also help you to develop your idea and reach people in your local area. However, we’ll be relying on you to plan, produce and present the best possible event.

Can we visit The Beacon before our event?

We will be very happy to show you around The Beacon during its first week in Wibsey Park so you can see the venue – please contact [email protected] for more information.

If you would like to see what the venue looks like before August, please see our Beacon Visual Story for a visual guide to the venue and its facilities.

Can people just turn up to our event, or will they need a ticket?

We expect that most events in The Beacon will be ticketed, including free events.

Please supply as much information as possible in our Event Proposal Form about your ticketing requirements, and contact us on [email protected] if you have any questions.

Could we sell tickets for our event through Bradford 2025?

Yes! We can sell tickets through our Ticketing team and through our website at bradfordculture.co.uk.

Please supply as much information as possible about your ticketing needs through our Event Proposal Form.

How could you help to promote our event?

We’ll list your event on the Bradford Culture Company website, on social media and in other marketing materials for The Beacon, but we’ll also expect you to promote your event to the people and communities that you’d like to attend. You’ll know your audience better than us – you may even know them personally!

We’re creating an information pack with guidance, tips and ideas about how you can market and promote your event, which we’ll send to all event organisers in due course.

Can you provide drinks and snacks?

Depending on numbers, we would be happy to provide either a basic paid bar offering soft drinks, tea, coffee and snacks (e.g. crisps, snack bars, etc), plus beer and/or wine if appropriate. If you’re planning only a small gathering, we can provide access to kettle and/or hot water boiler so your group can serve themselves with tea and coffee.

Can you provide full catering?

The Beacon won’t have full kitchen/catering facilities, so we’re unable to offer anything beyond crisps and snacks. If you would like to bring in an outside caterer, please discuss your plans with us well in advance, and please make sure that your caterers are aware that they would need to prepare all food off site.

Will we need to set up the venue on the day?

We’ll talk to you in advance about how you’d like The Beacon to be set up with chairs, tables, microphones and so on. We’ll try to have everything ready in good time, but please note that we may be completing these preparations when you arrive to do your own preparations.

Will we be able to do a dress rehearsal, a pre-event run-through and/or a soundcheck?

We will do our best to accommodate requests for run-throughs or soundchecks, but please make sure you make any such requests well in advance so we can factor them into the event schedule. Please also note that there may be only limited time available for such pre-event activities.

Will you be able to assist with sound and lighting?

Depending on your requirements we may be able to provide an in-house technician to set up basic lighting and sound. If your requirements are more complicated (for example, you need someone to mix sound for a musical ensemble), there are two options: we could make suggestions or arrangements for additional specialist help, which would be subject to a fee; or you could bring in your own technician(s), who would need to undergo a short induction to use our facilities.

What other help will you be able to provide on the day?

Our fantastic team of friendly volunteers will be able to help welcome people to your event and show people to their seats. However, they won’t be able to help with moving furniture or equipment, or any specific responsibilities such as collecting money or supervising groups of people, so please factor this into your planning.

Can my event use the space in the park outside The Beacon?

Yes – but please get in touch with us so that we can discuss this further with you.

Will first aiders be provided?

Yes – The Beacon will have first aid trained staff on site for all public facing events.

Can I set up a gazebo in the Beacon's outdoor patio area?

Yes in most cases, but please get in touch with your requirements.

Are tables and chairs available?

Yes. We have standard trestle tables available and 250 chairs (for front and back of house use).

Is there a projector and projection screen?

Yes. Please note this is in a fixed position and cannot be moved.

Is The Beacon suitable for exhibitions?

Unfortunately no, The Beacon is not suitable for exhibitions.

Can I collect donations at my event?

No, we can’t collect donations from audiences or have ‘bucket collections’ at Bradford Culture Company venues.