Let us take the ‘umm’ out of Summer with your guide to what’s on and where to go in the Bradford district during the holidays.
The FYI website is the new place to go to find out about the great things to do to keep children active and entertained over the summer holiday in the Bradford district – with many of them free of charge.
Featuring dozens of FREE activities in your local area head over to FYI Bradford
Summer Reading Challenge
Children across the Bradford district are being encouraged to keep active throughout the school holidays by taking part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. This year's theme is sports and games.
Over 100 FREE events and activities for children 4-12 years old across the Bradford district throughout the school summer holidays and children who sign up will receive incentives along the way to encourage reading. More information about activities in Bradford Libraries.
HAF - Summer of Fun
Our teams will be out and about every weekday over the summer holidays visiting different local parks and green spaces providing FREE fun activities for children and young people.
Activities will run from 11am to 3pm and will include sports inflatables, sports games and coaching, climbing tower, dance sessions, arts and crafts, adventure play, giant games and lots more.
All children must register their name and school on arrival.
The activities are aimed at 5 to 14 year olds.
Free, healthy packed lunches will be available, subject to availability, for children who are on benefits-related Free School Meals.
Parents are responsible for the supervision of their own children.
Wear casual clothing according to the weather. We suggest trainers are the best footwear.
No need to book, just turn up and play!
Check out the schedule to see which park we will be visiting each day. Please note that in the event of bad weather, events may be cancelled for safety reasons.
Shipley by the sea
Saturday 22 July 10am Shipley Town centre FREE
The Shipley Summer Special this year celebrates the best of local and national street theatre with Shipley by the Sea.
Featuring FREE shows and walkabout entertainment, workshops, games and lots lots more. It is set to be a fantastic family day in the centre of Shipley.
Funded by Shipley Town Council and Bradford Metropolitan District Council. Produced by Q20 Events. More information about Shipley by the Sea.
HWD Festival
Saturday 22 July 11am - 3pm Knowles Park FREE
Tons of fun in the heart of BD4 with live performances, music, dance, art, sport, storytelling on the amazing Bradford Stories Bus, football and rugby competitions with Holme Wood Town, Bradford Bulls and Bradford City Football Club.
Live painting with United Art Project and the HE.ARTists, theatre from Spin Arts and Keira Martin with 'The Other' performed on their beautiful horse and cart, craft with The Valley Project, face painting, balloon modelling, fairground rides, magic and much more
Bring your friends and family along and make some unforgettable memories. Tickets are FREE book yours now here.
We can't wait to see you there! ALL CHILDREN UNDER 14 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT
Play in the Parks
Our ever popular "Play In Parks" events are returning this summer across the Bradford district and are delivered on behalf of various Town, Parish and Village Councils. Two inflatables, sports and play equipment accompanied by our resident DJ, these events are great for all the family
In addition to this, we also have "Mini Bounce Planet" events on six Saturdays throughout the summer with two amazing inflatables for over 5s and two amazing inflatables for under 5s
All the events are FREE to attend and will run from 11am to 3pm:
Bronte Playing Fields BD22 - Thursday 24 August
Burgess Fields - Mini Bounce Planet - Saturday 26 August
Church Green BD21 - Mini Bounce Planet - Saturday 29 July
Worth Valley Primary School BD22 - Mini Bounce Planet (TBC) - Saturday 22 July
Our thanks goes to the following organisations for funding these events:
Baildon Green Community Association, Bingley Town Council, Cullingworth Parish Council, Denholme Town Council, Harden Parish Council, Ilkley Town Council, Keighley Town Council, Oxenhope Village Council, Sandy Lane Parish Council, Shipley Town Council, Wilsden Parish Council, and Wrose Parish Council.
We look forward to seeing you all there, for what promises to be another great summer with the Bradford Community Play & Development Service Team: Lee, Caleb, Nat, George, Isaac, Jacob, Mattie, Dave, Archie, Maisie & Mick
*** IMPORTANT INFORMATION *** These events are not part of the "HAF 2023" (Holiday Activites & Food "Summer of Fun programme of events.
On the 28 and 29 July 2023, BD:Festival will transform Bradford’s city centre into an imaginative, cultural explosion for all the family to enjoy. From innovative street theatre to immersive cultural installations and hip-hop hippo routines to interactive edible exhibitions. Plus, the world premiere of Balbir Singh’s Cricket Green; a thrilling theatrical game with live music and dance exploring cricket and climate change. This FREE, two day event is one not to be missed.
There will be FREE summer crafts and colouring for younger children, as well as quizzes, information, colouring, sketching and crafts for older children. Parents, grandparents and carers are welcome to join in with the fun as well.
As well as the craft activities on offer, there are family-friendly guided tours at 11am and 2pm. There is so much to see and do at Bradford Cathedral and everyone is welcome!
Booking is advised in order to ensure a place. Children must be accompanied at all times by an adult.
Children on benefits-related free school meals are eligible for a FREE place at a HAF holiday club during the summer school holidays. Activities include arts and crafts, sports, cooking, inflatables and Nerf contests.
HAF clubs provide FREE fun activities and a healthy meal for eligible children, including children with SEND or additional needs.
Places are limited on the clubs so please book early to avoid missing out.
The BrickLive trail returns with the theme of Fantasy Kingdom. Brought to you by Bradford Business Improvement District (BID), 15 large installations of mystical and fantasy figures including unicorns, dragons, and warriors will be placed around the city centre for visitors to find.
The models will be located around the city centre inside some of our amazing businesses. People can take part in the magical brick trail using the free to download LoyalFree app that will geo-locate you to Bradford. Simply head to the trail section and select the BrickLive trail. Those who complete the online quest successfully will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Bradford City Centre Gift Card, accepted in 150 venues in the city centre
For those not wanting to enter the competition, paper copies of the trail are also available to collect at the Broadway Information Hub and the Bradford Visitor Information Centre. More information about Bricklive.
Museums & Galleries
Lots of FREE fun events and activities at Bradford Council Museums and Galleries over the school summer holidays, highlights include:
Festival of Archaeology events Tuesday 25 July at Cliffe Castle and 26 July at Bolling Hall
Yorkshire Day Event Tuesday 1 August at Bradford Industrial Museum
National Day for Play Wednesday 2 August at Lister Park and Cartwright Hall
Fairy Festival Wednesday 16 August at Cliffe Castle
Doe Park Water Activities Centre Holiday Courses 2023
Doe Park Water Activities Centre - situated on Doe Park reservoir in Denholme - is a great place to learn, play and have a go at sailing, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, dragon boating, raft building, archery, climbing, abseiling, high ropes, bush craft and survival activities.
Various activities are available on Tuesdays and Saturdays for children 5+ over the holidays, starting from £6 per session. Check the activities booking page for details of what's on, prices and to book.
National Play Day 2023
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This year's theme for the National Playday is 'play on a shoe string' and families are invited to come down and celebrate with a wide range of FREE fun and accessible activities, stalls and play equipment.
The event is being held in partnership between Play Bradford, JU:MP, 50 Things, Bradford Museums and Gallieries and the HAF Play in the Parks series.
No booking is required, just turn up, have fun and celebrate children's play
Nell Bank Discovery Days 2023
Nell Bank 3rd, 4th, 10th & 11th August 10am to 3pm
A fabulous series of Discovery Day events this summer withlots of activities for families to enjoy....theSafari Trail,Adventure Playground, Water Playarea and amini trail for toddlers.
Additional activities (outdoor craft activities and den building) can be booked later through a link on the acknowledgement email.
To book your family's tickets click on one of the dates below:
A FREE afternoon of celebration of and information about Bradford’s rivers. Music from the Two Rivers Swing Band, story-telling and bog-art making, see the wildlife from the river bed, create Arabic calligraphic art. Find out about Friends of Bradford’s Becks. Discover Bradford Beck and its tributaries. The event takes place beside the Beck and Valley Rd in Shipley, alongside the cycleway between Briggate and Poplar Rd. Approximate postcode: BD18 2BZ. More information about Bradford's Becks.
BD4 community trust - summer community celebration
Wednesday 30 August 11am-2pm St John's Bowling Hub, BD4 8TU FREE
Lots of FREE fun on offer including: face painting, tombola, smoothie bike, TKGymFit, boxercise demo, fitness activities, games, Bradford Stories Bus, HENRY, Living Well, football coaching with Bradford Park Avenue, Forest School activities, perinatal support, health checks and balloon modelling.
the AWARE Summer Holiday Guide - lots of info and activities for young people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families
Summat Creative - make : move : include : Summer activity project - a holiday club for young people with mild to moderate Learning Disabilities and / or Neurodiversity with indoor and outdoor activities including drama, cycling, yoga, dance, sports and art.
Bradford PHAB Club - Free Multi-Sports Activities Club - including free packed lunch for participants. Sessions are for children and young people with disabilities
Moor Time Holiday Club - lots of activities including sports, relaxation sessions, sensory play, animal therapy, Lego therapy, trips, bouncy castles, music and art.
Summer Adventures with Visit Bradford
Our Visit Bradfordcolleagues have pulled together a list of great activities and events to help you plan your Summer Adventure in the district.
With links to amazing attractions, must see places to visit, parks to discover and ideas for rainy days there's something to suit all interests and budgets.
The Visit Bradford website has all the information needed for your Summer Adventure.
Help with the cost of living
Information about help with the Cost of Living can be found on the dedicated Cost of Living website. Information about places where kids can either eat for free or cheaply can be found on the Money Saving Expert website
Inexpensive days out in Bradford district
The Bradford District is full of inspiration for inexpensive days out. Whether you’re looking for hands-on family activities or great art and exhibitions, we have many FREE attractions across the whole district.
For a low cost trip, beautiful architecture and interesting heritage our towns and villages are perfect for exploring. Or visit one of our wonderful parks, each with their own character and amenities.
