Magic rises as tickets released for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture’s opening event
Published November 14, 2024
Free tickets for children, Youth Pass members and senior citizens – and just £2 for everyone else.
Tickets are available from next week for RISE, the unmissable opening event of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
Taking place on two nights, Friday 10 and Saturday 11 January 2025, RISE will transform City Park and Centenary Square in central Bradford into the stage for an astonishing show with local people at its heart.
Heralding the official start of Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture, RISE is an open-air spectacular that celebrates the district, people and communities who make Bradford magic. It’s created by Kirsty Housley, the award-winning theatre director, in collaboration with Steven Frayne, the brilliant Bradford-born magician formerly known as Dynamo.
Combining narrative, music, projection, illusion and movement, the event is an inspiring tribute to the city’s past, present and future, featuring performance by local musicians, rappers and spoken word artists, a community choir, and a multi-generational cast of Bradford residents.
Gates open at 5pm, with a wide range of food and drink traders on site in Centenary Square and music from live DJs ahead of the main celebration at 6.30pm. The event is suitable for all ages and promises to be an evening for all Bradfordians to remember, showcasing the Bradford district’s incredible spirit as a dynamic, forward-looking region of change.
Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director, Bradford 2025, comments:
“All eyes will be on Bradford as we celebrate the launch of UK City of Culture. RISE will bring the district together for an inspiring event reflecting Bradford’s youthfulness, diversity and heritage, lighting the creative spark that will fuel this incredible year and forge unforgettable memories. Our time is now – and it starts with RISE.”
Tickets are priced at £2, with free tickets for Under 16s, Senior Citizens, and 16-25 year old Youth Pass members. Priority Youth Pass tickets can be booked from 12pm on Tuesday 19 November, with all tickets on general sale from 12pm on Thursday 21 November.
Tickets can be booked via the Bradford 2025 website, by calling the Ticketing team, or in person at the Ticket + Info Hub in Centenary Square.
Ticket + Info Hub:
Online: bradford2025.co.uk (24 hours)
Phone: 01274 053100 (available 12pm – 4pm, Monday – Friday)
In-Person: 12pm – 2pm, Monday – Friday