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Video [1:05]

Gallery: look back on RISE

With Director Kirsty Housley and Bradford's own Steven Frayne, we launched Bradford's year as UK City of Culture in proper Bradford style. Relive the magic here.

Published: January 13, 2025

200 performers
20,000 people
2 amazing nights

Welcome to the UK City of Culture 2025

RISE was the magical, people-powered spectacle that opened our year as UK City of Culture 2025.

Step into City Park with us and relive RISE through some of our favourite photos and videos.

Bradford 2025 is finally here!

Have you got any great images of RISE? Make sure you follow us on social media and share them with us!

© Ian Hodgson
© Ian Hodgson
© Ian Hodgson

Watch the highlights film

For me, this is like our Olympic opening ceremony – it’s got to feel like that to the people of Bradford because it means that much to the people.
Steven Frayne Formerly known as Dynamo
© Ian Hodgson 
© Ian Hodgson 
© Ian Hodgson
© Ian Hodgson
© Ian Hodgson

Meet the RISE creative team

Discover interviews with the creative team behind RISE.

RISE Director Kirsty Housley wears a white t shirt in front of Bradford's City Square. She sits down for an interview.

Posted January 3, 2025 

Interview: RISE Director Kirsty Housley

RISE Director Kirsty Housley talks to us about what to expect from the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture opening event.
Movement director Lina sits for an interview in front of Bradford 2025 branding.

Posted January 3, 2025 

Interview: RISE Movement Director Lina Johansson

Meet Lina Johansson, Movement Director for our opening event RISE.

Share your RISE photos

We’ve love to see more of your photos and videos from RISE. Make sure you follow us on social and share your photos with us.

RISE is just the start

See even more Bradford 2025 events, coming soon.

What’s on →
A woman with a white painted face in a red shawl and headscarf holds a white flower. She is sat in front of a blue background covered in yellow feathers. To the left of the image is a yellow wooden chair
FREE

11 Jan – 26 Apr 2025 

Nationhood: Memory and Hope

Aïda Muluneh

A modern-day insight into our four nations.
FREE

17 Jan – 27 Apr 2025 

Fighting to Be Heard

British Library

Boxing, calligraphy and the collections of the British Library.
A bug holding a lantern with lit up wings against a forest style backdrop, all of which is made out of cardboard
Part of PLAY

8–9 & 15–23 Feb 2025 

Grue

Wintercroft & ARCADE

Explore a wintry world built by the people of Bradford.
Andrea Dunbar sat leant against some stair railings. The image is in black and white and she is wearing long sleeve shirt and trousers.

12 Mar 2025 

The Dreams I Had: Andrea Dunbar

Celebrating one of Bradford’s most distinctive voices.
Musicians Kokoroko stand in a line in front of a wall.
Part of The Big Brass Blowout

13 Apr 2025 

KOKOROKO

Plus support

The powerhouse London collective round out our brass weekender.
Image shows a DJ from behind, performing in front of a crowd. Pyrotechnics explode in front of the stage.

9 May 2025 

Bassline Symphony

The sound of our city as you’ve never heard it before.

A girl stands on a train tracks in front of a large steam locomotive, waving a red hankerchief.

16 Jul – 7 Sep 2025 

The Railway Children

The classic production heads to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.
A crowd of people with their hands in the air in a dimly lit room, dancing to a DJ set.

2 Aug 2025 

Dialled In

A celebration of South Asian music and culture.

FREE

Sep 2025 – Feb 2026 

Turner Prize

We’re teaming up with Tate to bring the Turner Prize to Bradford.