February at Bradford 2025
Look back at all the fabulous things that happened in the second month of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
Published: November 25, 2025
Our year of culture continued with film, music, art, poetry, architecture, health and wellbeing, TV drama, gardening – and the creation of an amazing world made entirely from cardboard…
The art of the matter
More than 300 young people helped us to build Grue, an extraordinary wonderland in Bingley created as part of our year-long celebration of PLAY – and more than 2,000 of you visited this magical place, making it a sell-out.
The playfulness continued in February with Intergenerational Play. Presented in partnership with Bradford’s Linking Network, the first month of this initiative brought together four classes of primary school pupils with residents in four care homes to explore play across the generations.
DRAW!, our year-round drawing project, inspired hundreds of you to get drawing. This month, Adébayo Bolaji invited you to draw a self-portrait.
Sound and vision
February saw four films screened as part of Northern Soul, director Clio Barnard’s hand-picked celebration of northern women in cinema at Pictureville. There was more big-screen action at St George’s Hall with the premiere of BBC One’s Virdee – and you can watch the whole of this Bradford-set drama on BBC iPlayer.
We teamed up with our pals at the BBC for two more events in February, and they couldn’t have been more different. Gardeners’ Question Time was recorded at Valley Parade for future broadcast on BBC Radio 4, while BBC Introducing drew a sell-out crowd to The Underground for the first of four special gigs.
Creative Health Awards
We announced that we’re supporting more than 30 innovative projects in February, that use the power of culture and creativity to tackle urgent health and social challenges. From inclusive dance programmes to printmaking workshops and outdoor activities, our Creative Health Awards helped to improve health and wellbeing across the district.
Ramadan Pavilion
The crescent moon heralded the start of Ramadan – making it the perfect time to visit the Ramadan Pavilion in Centenary Square, which opened in February. This striking structure, commissioned by Bradford 2025 and Ramadan Tent Project, celebrates the lived experiences of Muslims across the globe.
As part of Ramadan Festival 2025, we came together to break fast and share meals in a spirit of unity at a special community Open Iftar with Ramadan Tent Project.
Creative engagement
We were bouncing all over Bradford to bring the joy of art and creativity to communities, schools, and young people across the district…
The next instalments in our regular DRAW! creative workshop series took place as part of Our Patch, our community creativity programme, connecting with more than 200 people across five events. The Our Patch team also teamed up with Bradford Moor PASS and joined 127 young people to paint planters for Thornbury roundabout.
Sing Dance Leap saw us visit five primary schools, working with Northern Ballet as the Young Corps de Ballet; three primary schools, taking part as the Children’s Chorus; and two secondary schools, joining Opera North’s Youth Opera Programme as part of our ongoing activity. They were all preparing for what turned out to be an epic performance at Bradford Live in June.
Bradford Digital Creatives, a collaboration with Born in Bradford and the National Science and Media Museum, presented 12 workshops in six schools on everything from audio production to virtual reality.
Poetry Slam workshops brought the power of poetry to seven schools around the district in collaboration with Authors Abroad – just a few of the 25 schools we worked with on this poetic programme.
February events
Look back on the events we enjoyed in February 2025.
17 Jan – 27 Apr 2025
Fighting to Be Heard
British Library
Boxing, calligraphy and the collections of the British Library.
From 15 Feb 2025
Ramadan Pavilion 2025
Zarah Hussain & Fatima Mejbil
A specially commissioned structure that celebrated the holy month of Ramadan.
31 Jan – 5 May 2025
I AM ME
An exhibition created with young people from across Bradford District.
15 Jan – 18 May 2025
David Hockney: Pieced Together
A temporary exhibition at the National Science and Media Museum.
28 Nov 2025
BBC Introducing at The Underground
BBC Introducing gigs at Bradford's iconic The Underground.
Jan - Dec 2025
The DRAW! Tour
We hosted hands-on drawing workshops across the district, part of Our Patch.
8–9 & 15–23 Feb 2025
Grue
Wintercroft & ARCADE
A wintry world built by the people of Bradford.
12-14 Feb 2025
Grue: Community Performances
Wintercroft & ARCADE
Explore a wintry world in this special series of Community Performances
8 Feb 2025
Northern Soul
Elaine Constantine, 2014
The story of a 1970s youth culture that changed a generation.
30 Jan & 2 Feb 2025
A Taste of Honey
Tony Richardson, 1961
With post-screening discussion with Clio Barnard and Annabel Grundy.
5 Feb 2025
Wuthering Heights [35mm]
Andrea Arnold, 2011
Andrea Arnold’s elemental take on Emily Bronte’s masterful novel. With introduction from writer and critic Kate Stables.
1 Feb 2025
Under the Skin [35mm]
Carine Adler, 1997
Two sisters struggle to deal with the death of their mother. With introduction from Dr Karen Thornton.
8 Feb 2025
Fighting to Be Heard: Calligraphy Lecture & Workshop
Razwan Ul-Haq
Attendees learnt new skills with artist and calligrapher Razwan Ul-Haq.
22 Feb 2025
Audience Development – Elevate Workshop
A practical workshop on identifying your audience and crafting effective communication strategies
9 Feb 2025
