What’s on

Nationhood: Memory and Hope

Aïda Muluneh

A modern-day insight into our four nations.

David Hockney: Pieced Together

A new temporary exhibition at the National Science and Media Museum.

Fighting to Be Heard

British Library

Boxing, calligraphy and the collections of the British Library.

I AM ME

A new exhibition created with young people from across Bradford District.

Ramadan Pavilion 2025

Zarah Hussain & Fatima Mejbil

A specially commissioned structure to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan.

National Saturday Club: Performance & Theatre

Join Bradford College’s new Performance & Theatre Saturday Club.

National Saturday Club: Games Design

Join Bradford College’s new Games Design Saturday Club.

YOU:MATTER

Marshmallow Laser Feast

Explore how we’re all connected at this spectacular immersive experience.

Play Bradford’s Mobile Adventure Playground

Play Bradford

We’re teaming up with Play Bradford to bring mobile play to The Beacon in Wibsey Park

The DRAW! Tour: Workshops

Hands-on drawing workshops across the district, part of Our Patch.

The Big Beacon Family Welcome

Join us in Wibsey Park for an afternoon of family fun.

Augmenting Bradford’s DNA: Kala Sangam Calligraphy Workshop & Talk

Razwan Ul-Haq

Help to make a unique work of homegrown art.

Brass on a Sunday Afternoon

Toby Brazier Sextet, Omotola & Friends, Hot Aire!

Cool jazz, hot Yoruba sounds and a classic brass band – it’s an eclectic Sunday at Loading Bay.

KOKOROKO

Plus support from TC & the Groove Family

The powerhouse London collective round out our brass weekender.

Curious Investigators

One Tenth Human

Stop an egg from smashing in this cracking new adventure for children aged 3–7 and their grown-ups…

BD: Walls – Session 2: digital design and scaling

Classroom-based session. An introduction to digital tools used in mural design, part of the BD: Walls Talent Development Programme.

CBeebies Bedtime Stories Day

CBeebies

Once upon a time… Evie Pickerill and George Webster from CBeebies bring the magic of Bedtime Stories to The Beacon.

Youth Pass: DRAW! with Shanaz Gulzar

Join us for a hands-on drawing workshop with Shanaz Gulzar.

It’s Your Round

Scary Little Girls

Pens at the ready – comedy meets cabaret down the pub at our fabulous quiz night.

Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)

Bollywood action comedy with a memorable soundtrack!

Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)

‘India’s most-loved film’

Frontline 1984/1985

Victor Wedderburn

A fascinating exhibition exploring Bradford's African Caribbean communities in the ’80s.

Speed (1994)

Fasten your seatbelts…

The Wild Robot (2024)

A classic DreamWorks animation.

Jab We Met (2007)

Imtiaz Ali’s joyous romantic musical comedy.

Youth Pass: Calligraphy Workshop with Razwan Ul-Haq

Learn new skills in a hands-on calligraphy session led by artist Razwan Ul-Haq.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)

Three friends take a batchelor road trip to Spain.

Pop!

Vince Virr

Vince Virr’s exhilarating dance piece explores the fears, the surprises and the joys of growing up.

An Evening with Jacqui Dankworth

One of Britain’s finest jazz singers brings her trio to The Beacon – exclusively for Bradford 2025.

Easter Party in the Park

Teen Scene Parties

Bradford’s premier teen party producer present an unmissable Easter special in Wibsey.

Easter Sunday Fun

Christians Together in Wibsey and Buttershaw/Shelf

Join Christians from across Wibsey and Buttershaw/Shelf to mark one of the most important days in the church calendar – all welcome.

Beacon Church Community Cuppa

The Beacon Church

Beacon, meet Beacon – the local church comes to our pop-up venue in Wibsey for a relaxing coffee morning.

Say It As It Is

with Kirsty Taylor

Speak up and listen in – Kirsty Taylor hosts a special open mic night for Bradford 2025

WoW Community Partnership

Connect with your community and check your health at this free daytime event in Wibsey.

Youth Pass: Social – Nationhood: Memory and Hope

Join us for a social at the Impressions Gallery for a special after-hours viewing of Nationhood: Memory and Hope.

Little Wimmin

Figs in Wigs

An unorthodox, apocalyptic, cosmically catastrophic adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel.

BBC Introducing at The Beacon

BBC Introducing

The BBC’s music discovery platform takes over The Beacon for an open mic night of live music.

Simon Boccanegra

Opera North

Opera North’s first performances of the Verdi classic.

Youth Pass: Bradford Walking Tour

Explore the city with Blue Badge guide Sarah Cowling.

The Keighley Chorus

Hannah Butterfield and Shane Durrant

Come along to a community singing session around the piano.

Lanre Bakare – ‘We Were There’ book launch

Bradford writer Lanre Bakare joins Victor Wedderburn in conversation, chaired by Dawn Cameron.

Tower of Now

Saad Qureshi

This soaring sculpture explores what it means to be British – and celebrates Bradford’s dazzling diversity.

Digital marketing – Elevate Workshop

A practical workshop exploring different digital marketing platforms and how to make them work for you.

BD: Walls – Session 3: doodle grid and pounce practice

Practical session. An explanation of the doodle grid and pounce methods, part of the BD: Walls Talent Development Programme.

Share Your Story: On Board at The Beacon

National Literacy Trust in Bradford

The Bradford Stories Bus is coming to The Beacon for a one-day story spectacular.

Talking Buildings Workshop

Personify the buildings of Bradford in this interactive family friendly workshop.

Family Friendly Collage Workshop

Create your own concertina booklet in this family-friendly collage workshop.

West Yorkshire Young Poet Laureates – Open Mic

with Sharena Lee Satti

Join the West Yorkshire Young Poet Laureates and other young poets for an afternoon of wonderful words.

A Night at the Musicals

Youthology

Young performers bring the West End to Wibsey at this special concert.

The Sticky Dance for Sensory Groovers

Second Hand Dance

An interactive performance installation for autistic/neurodivergent children aged 3–7.

The Sticky Dance

Second Hand Dance

An interactive, engaging and colourful performance installation for children aged 3–5 and their families.

Lay Down Your Burdens

Rhiannon Faith Company

Rhiannon Faith’s acclaimed dance theatre show explores hope, compassion and transformation through the prism of a local pub

HOPE/ACT

People Powered Press

Installations from the world’s largest letterpress printing press.

The Bradford Selection

Edible Archives

Take a bite out of Bradford with our magnificent biscuits.

Bradford on Foot

Walk a mile or more in our shoes…

Qawwali Night at The Beacon

Qaisar Mahmood Qawwal Group

Join us at The Beacon in Wibsey Park for an evening of Qawwali

Rose Illingworth: Born to the Boats

Northern Duck Productions

Historical theatre on the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

We Will Sing

Ann Hamilton

Ann Hamilton transforms the immense top floor at Salts Mill for her largest solo UK installation to date

Bingley 25 Weekend

A celebration of culture and heritage in Bingley for 2025.

Peace Picnic: Wibsey

The Peace Museum

The Peace Museum host the first of five free gatherings to celebrate peace, protest and community.

Les Enfants Terribles: A Gameshow for Awful Children

Marcel Lucont

Comedian Marcel Lucont pits kids against grown-ups as he looks to crown the most awful child in Bradford…

Marcel Lucont’s Whine List

Alternative comedy meets group therapy – get your moans off your chest with the UK’s favourite French comic

Let’s Make

Lou Sumray

Get creative with artist Lou Sumray at these free family-friendly workshops in Wibsey Park.

Bradford Belles

The mighty Belles bring their new walkabout street performance to The Beacon

Augmenting Bradford’s DNA: Theatre in the Mill Workshop & Talk

Razwan Ul-Haq

Help to make a unique work of homegrown art.

Bassline Symphony

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

The 56

LUNG

‘Nobody dies in football matches'

BD: Walls – Session 4: responding to a brief

Classroom-based session. Learn how to analyse and respond to a brief for a public mural, part of the BD: Walls Talent Development Programme.

Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali Group

The torchbearers of Qawwali music visit Bradford for their only show in the North this year.

The Bradford Progress

Paraorchestra with Charles Hazlewood & Jeremy Deller

A musical journey created with the people of Bradford.

Earth & Sky

Opera North

An immersive sound walk over the moors above Haworth.

Nadine Shah

Plus support

Mercury Prize-nominated Shah brings her mesmerising voice to Bradford.

Public Interest

Common/Wealth

An urgent immersive show challenging the Criminal Justice System.

Portrait of Mai

Sir Joshua Reynolds' spectacular portrait visits Bradford on a UK-wide tour.

Tape Letters

Modus Arts

An exhibition exploring migration on tape.

An Evening with Resi/Dance

Dance United

Dancers from BD4 and surrounding areas take the stage in this community dance celebration.

Robyn Hood

Fidget Theatre

Fidget Theatre reinvents the classic folk tale for family audiences in 2025.

Bank Holiday Party in the Park

Teen Scene Parties

Bradford’s premier teen party producer present an unmissable Bank Holiday special in Bowling.

Let’s Make – Bowling Park

Lou Sumray

Get creative with artist Lou Sumray at these free family-friendly workshops in Bowling Park.

BD: Walls – Session 5: collaborative design

Classroom-based session. Develop your skills in collaborative design, part of the BD: Walls Talent Development Programme.

Play Bradford’s Mobile Adventure Playground – Bowling Park

Play Bradford

We’re teaming up with Play Bradford to bring mobile play to The Beacon in Bowling Park.

Happy Hype

Collectif OUINCH OUINCH x Mulah

From Geneva to Bowling – OUINCH OUINCH bring carnival culture to the Beacon!

Sisters 360

Turtle Key Arts

Two Muslim stepsisters try and skate to victory in the new family show from Bradford writer Asif Khan.

BBC Introducing at The Underground

BBC Introducing gigs at Bradford's iconic The Underground.

Greed

Tavaziva Dance

Bawren Tavaziva’s electrifying dance piece reimagines the Seven Deadly Sins for the 21st century.

The Tiger Lillies

Oddball cabaret, dark humour and seriously catchy tunes from London’s legendary masters of the macabre.

BD: Walls – Session 6: pitching work

Classroom-based session. Refine your pitching skills, part of the BD: Walls Talent Development Programme.

Sustenance: The Power of Food

Edible Archives

Listen up and chow down for a shared meal and discussion on the importance of food in our communities.

TESTO

Wet Mess

Wet Mess, Wet Messifies transitions, testosterone and the edges of drag.

Loaded Laughs

Bradford 2025's new comedy night.

Share Your Story: On Board at The Beacon, Bowling Park

National Literacy Trust in Bradford

The Bradford Stories Bus is coming to The Beacon for a one-day story spectacular.

STATUESQUE at Bowling Park

Chicks on Sticks & Naomi Parker

Costumed characters, free family workshop and a community parade.

Family Pride Party

Curious Arts

Celebrate creativity, individuality and self-expression with our family-friendly Pride celebration.

Big Quiffy Bingo

Boogaloo Stu

Eyes down! Boogaloo Stu brings a bingo night like no other to The Beacon…

ReelBFD: Digital Arts, Bradford Stories

Experience the creativity of Bradford’s young digital artists in a new exhibition.

Language: no broblem

Marah Haj Hussein

A theatrical journey into multilingualism.

Museums for Play and Growth

The Peace Museum

A free stay-and-play session for under-5s and their grown-ups in Bowling Park and Bolling Hall Museum.

Back to Black

Belgrave House Band

Leeds’s leading jazz and soul masters perform Amy Winehouse’s iconic album live at the Beacon.

EGGS COLLECTIVE’S DARK NIGHTS

Twisted cabaret nights at Loading Bay.

Penguin

Hamzeh Al Hussien & Amy Golding

One man’s extraordinary journey from Syria to England. “Be proud. Be who you are. Be more Penguin.”

Peace Picnic: Bowling

The Peace Museum

The Peace Museum host the second of five free gatherings to celebrate peace, protest and community.

Ice Age Art Now

British Museum

Travel back in time at this British Museum Partnership Exhibition.

BD: Walls – Session 7: mockup and scaling

Practical session. An introduction to mockup and scaling in street art, part of the BD: Walls Talent Development Programme.

The Pahari-Pothwari Literature Project

Nabeela Ahmed

New writing in the rarely-seen Pahari-Pothwari language and English.

Back in the Pink: Pink in the Park

Peel Park hosts a free fun day out to celebrate the rich history of Bradford’s LGBTQ+ communities.

BD: Walls – Session 8: selecting paint and materials

Classroom and practical session. Learn how to choose the right materials for your work, part of the BD: Walls Talent Development Programme.

Tu i Tam/Tyt i Tam

Tim Smith & Marta Szymańska

An exhibition documenting our Polish and Ukrainian communities.

Memories of the Future

Akram Khan with Helen Linsell

An ambitious dance work starring the people of Bradford.

BD: Walls – Session 9: public mural creation, part 1

Practical session. Get closer to creating a mural in a public space in this training session, part of the BD: Walls Talent Development Programme.

The Railway Children

The classic production heads to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

BD: Walls – Session 10: public mural creation, part 2

Practical session. The second session of two, part of the BD: Walls Talent Development Programme.

The Book of Bradford

Comma Press, Saima Mir

Ten short stories by Bradford writers.

Dialled In

A celebration of South Asian music and culture.

BD: Walls – Session 11: unveiling and programme wrap-up

Classroom and practical session. The final session, including a public unveiling of the finished mural, part of the BD: Walls Talent Development Programme.

BBC Contains Strong Language

The UK’s biggest poetry and performance festival comes to Bradford.

HONK!

The Peace Artistes

A weekend of live music with Bradford's beloved street band

Wandering Imaginations

The Brontës’ imaginary worlds reimagined for 2025.

New Focus: Bradford Young Curators

Ten young people curate a major exhibition at Impressions Gallery.

Turner Prize

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

Meet Our Mothers

Deepa Mann-Kler

An interactive cookbook celebrating Bradford’s heritage.

Elmet

The Javaad Alipoor Company

An epic northern noir.

John Grant

Plus support

John Grant makes his Bradford headline debut.

Roots

Peachzz

A vibrant street-art homage to a Bradford legend.

The Portal

NeSpoon

New street art inspired by old traditions.

Sing, Dance, Leap

Royal Ballet and Opera, Northern Ballet, Opera North

A major programme to inspire young people’s creativity.

FORGE Shorts

New films from Bradford writers and directors.

REPLAY

The Herd

Enter an endless world of play in this interactive experience.

Flesh and Flamingos (working title)

Dominic Leclerc

The hidden history of northern queer culture.

Bradford Digital Creatives

New digital artworks exploring what it’s like to grow up in 2025.

The Ceremony

Jack King

An award-winning debut feature set in Bradford.

So Far, So Good…

TC Howard & Dance On Bradford

An inclusive new dance show about growing older.

The Local (working title)

Kim Hopkins

Step inside a Bradford landmark…