48 hours at Bradford 2025 for art lovers
This two-day itinerary takes you through independent galleries, creative takeovers and world-famous works here in the UK City of Culture. Discover creativity woven into the city’s streets, cafés and cultural spaces.
Published: June 27, 2025
Bradford’s visual arts scene is bold, moving and always ignites conversation. It’s a great time to explore what art means in a city on the rise.
Day 1: Bradford City Centre Highlights
Morning
You can make a full day of exploring the exhibitions and galleries Bradford has to offer. Here are our top picks.
- The Turner Prize is in Bradford for the very first time – and you definitely don’t want to miss it. The exhibition at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery is open until 22 February 2026 and admission is free. Discover this year’s artists Nnena Kalu, Rene Matić, Mohammed Sami and Zadie Xa.
- Taking place across the district until 28 January 2026, OUR TURN is a brand new visual arts festival shining a spotlight on art that is made and created in Bradford. It’s delivered by South Square Centre – find out more.
- Step into Impressions Gallery, one of the UK’s leading spaces for contemporary photography. Entry is free and exhibitions regularly change, so there’s always something new to see.
- City Centre gallery Trapezium Arts showcases contemporary art and photography with new exhibitions to explore every month.
- And if you’re in the city centre, a stroll through the new city garden area to view the Tower of Now sculpture, is definitely worth it.
Upcoming events and exhibitions
11 Dec 2025
Turner Lates: December
Season’s greetings! Join us for creative workshops and festive fun.
21 Nov - 14 Dec 2025
Built by Sound
No Ghost, Dialled In and Bradford 2025
A mixed reality experience where memory moves to a beat.
13 Sep - 20 Dec 2025
Make Yourself at Home
Ten young people have curated a major exhibition at Impressions Gallery.
6-21 Dec 2025
OUR TURN: Bradford Art Show
A dynamic exhibition of artwork from artists across Bradford responding to the theme of Our Place.
Until 31 Dec 2025
HOPE/ACT
People Powered Press
Installations from the world’s largest letterpress printing press.
Until 31 Dec 2025
Augmenting Bradford’s DNA
Razwan Ul-Haq
Homegrown artworks, made using calligraphy and community participation.
15 Jan 2025
Turner Lates: January
Celebrate the thriving artistic communities of our district.
27 Sep 2025 – 22 Feb 2026
Turner Prize
We’ve teamed up with Tate to bring the Turner Prize to Bradford - tickets available now.
16 Oct 2025 - 22 Feb 2026
Hardy and Free
Carolyn Mendelsohn
The Kirkgate Shopping Centre turns gallery for a monumental exhibition celebrating Yorkshire women and the natural world.
From 26 Apr 2025
Tower of Now
Saad Qureshi
This soaring sculpture explores what it means to be British – and celebrates Bradford’s dazzling diversity.
3 Apr 2025 – 28 Feb 2026
YOU:MATTER
Marshmallow Laser Feast
Explore how we’re all connected at this spectacular immersive experience.
On display now
Balancing Acts
Sam Shendi
A bespoke, playful structure created to celebrate the community and history of BD5.
On display now
Wayfinders
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This striking new mural is a stark consideration of our connection to the natural environment and the ways in which we navigate physical and emotional spaces.
On display now
Serving the District
Local creatives
New street art at the Morrisons store in Idle.
On display now
Mills to the Hills
(Roids)
The Broadway is the home for a stunning public artwork created especially for Bradford 2025.
On display now
Harvest of Harmony and City of Dreams
Ruth Agbolade and Mod One
An eye-catching pair of murals designed to welcome visitors to the new Darley Street Market.
On display now
Growing Together
Sven Shaw
New street art capturing the community spirit of Girlington.
On display now
Roots
Peachzz
A vibrant street-art homage to a Bradford legend.
Lunch
Refuel with coffee and something sweet – or go for a full Desi breakfast.
Tiffin Coffee – coffee in the historic Wool Exchange.
Lefteris Café – local favourite, laid-back feel.
Cake’Ole – bright, quirky and cake-filled, right by City Park.
Sweet Centre Café – for a proper Desi breakfast done right.
Afternoon
- From October artist Carolyn Mendelsohn is turning the Kirkgate Shopping Centre into a gallery for a major photography exhibition celebrating Yorkshire women and the natural world. Check out the exhibition, Hardy and Free.
- Explore BD:Walls, an exciting new street art project turning the streets of Bradford into galleries. As you’re near the Bradford city centre, start with The Portal in Little Germany, but you can also find striking murals just a short distance away in Girlington, Ravenscliffe, MAPA, and Buttershaw. Visit the artworks for yourself and discover the stories of their local communities behind each piece.
- Hope/Act, is another a major visual arts project you can discover popping up across the district – including Bradford City Library, MAPA, the Science and Media Museum and Keighley Library.
- Then take a wander to Loading Bay to discover exhibitions like Nisbet Road Tailor’s Shop, an immersive recreation of a South Asian tailors.
- Or visit the village of Thornton, birthplace of the Brontë sisters, and discover South Square for exhibitions, events, and a great café.
Fancy a late afternoon bite?
Mowchi – Asian fusion and street food on Great Horton Road.
Smorgasbord Café – coffee bar and restaurant, casual and friendly.
Check out Darley Street Market, serving up everything from Turkish coffee and baklava to curries, tacos and much more on their top floor. Find out more about their fantastic food vendors (and check out their upcoming events too).
Evening
- Check out what’s on at pop-up Bradford 2025 venue Loading Bay – think experimental theatre, spoken word, music and more.
- You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to evening entertainment – browse what’s on at Underground live music venue, St George’s Hall, Pictureville cinema, The Alhambra Theatre and the brand-new Bradford Live.
Dinner options nearby include:
Mezza – Lebanese-style food in a cosy setting.
Bangkok Thai – authentic Thai food with lots of choice.
Blackstar Burgers & Shakes – for something quick and satisfying.
The Culture – modern Indian restaurant on the lively North Parade.
For drinks or a nightcap:
Boar & Fable – craft beer and a great atmosphere.
The Corn Dolly – traditional pub with character and a great pub garden.
Junoon Café – mocktails and shisha in a relaxed spot.
The Fighting Cock – for proper ale fans.
Day 2: Saltaire & Shipley
Morning
Spend the morning at Salts Mill, where you’ll find galleries, independent shops, and a world-class collection of David Hockney’s work (including his new exhibition 20 Flowers) all inside a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
And be sure to visit the Peace Museum where you can discover the untold stories of peacemakers and social reform.
Lunch
Choose a relaxed spot in or around Saltaire:
Salts Diner – light, bright and full of character (booking advised).
Cultures – come in for wine and cheese, or grab a coffee and a tasty treat to go!
Village General Store – takeaway sandwiches and bakes.
Salts Village Bakery – grab a pastry and sit in Roberts Park.
The Half Moon Café – great coffee with a park view.
Afternoon
Take a walk. The Saltaire Circular Walk is a scenic route that blends nature and architecture.
Or head to Keighley to immerse yourself in Victorian grandeur at Cliffe Castle Museum, with stained glass by Morris and Co, portraiture, furniture, events and exhibitions.
Evening
Wrap up the weekend with dinner and maybe a live gig:
Rumpus – inventive burgers, loud in all the right ways.
Aagrah – well-loved local favourite for Indian food.
Rossini – relaxed Italian dining.
Shimla Spice – generous portions, warm welcome.
Catch some live music at The Live Room, or head to:
SALT Beer Factory – pizza, pints and DJ sets.
Saltaire Brewery & Tap Room – for a casual end to the day.
The Salt Cellar – craft ales and regular live events.
Make it a weekend to remember!
Explore more cultural events and plan your overnight stay.
