15 - 29 Sep 2025
World Curry Festival
We felt the heat in the UK’s curry capital as the World Curry Festival returned to Bradford.
Spice up your life in the home of curry.
This vibrant culinary celebration brought together top chefs, sizzling street food, immersive cookalongs, flavour-filled talks and foodie tours inspired by curry cultures from across the globe.
It was a joyful fusion of food, culture and community in a two-week long celebration of curry.
Events
Highlights included Theatre of Curry (24–26 September, Loading Bay). Three evenings blending performance and food, headlined by Dr Amir Khan – the GP and TV personality known from ITV’s Lorraine and Good Morning Britain – who hosted a special evening of food, health and conversation. The programme also featured a revival of the hit play Balti Kings and the new Bradford Curry Heritage Supper Club.
More highlights included
- Opening Gala Dinner – 15 September, Bradford Live
- The Business of Food Conference – 16 September, Bradford Live
- Steam & Spice Railway Dining – 27 & 28 September, Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
- Closing Gala Dinner – 29 September, Bradford Live
About World Curry Festival 2025
A two-week celebration of food, heritage and community.Bradford – long celebrated as Britain’s curry capital – put food centre stage in 2025 with the return of the World Curry Festival, a two-week celebration of food, culture and community as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
Founded in 2008 by Bradford’s own Zulfi Karim, the festival has become a platform for gastro-diplomacy – using food to bring people together, celebrate heritage, and inspire change.
Beyond its cultural impact, curry remains central to Britain’s identity – According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), the UK curry industry contributes over £5 billion to the economy annually and supports more than 100,000 jobs. Yet the industry faces growing challenges, from rising costs and staff shortages to restaurant closures. Curry Forever CIC, is powering the World Curry Festival, is committed to ensuring curry is here forever, protecting the industry while reimagining it for future generations.
Bradford – long celebrated as Britain’s curry capital – put food centre stage in 2025 with the return of the World Curry Festival, a two-week celebration of food, culture and community as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
Founded in 2008 by Bradford’s own Zulfi Karim, the festival has become a platform for gastro-diplomacy – using food to bring people together, celebrate heritage, and inspire change.
Beyond its cultural impact, curry remains central to Britain’s identity – According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), the UK curry industry contributes over £5 billion to the economy annually and supports more than 100,000 jobs. Yet the industry faces growing challenges, from rising costs and staff shortages to restaurant closures. Curry Forever CIC, is powering the World Curry Festival, is committed to ensuring curry is here forever, protecting the industry while reimagining it for future generations.