Mother Tongue
 Until Sunday, 8 December (11am - 4pm) at Cartwright Hall
FREE
Two new artworks by artist Sarah Maple have a been specially created for Bradford District Museums and Galleries.
This display is the outcome of Bradford District Museums and Galleries being part of the 20/20 project, a 3-year programme led by the University of the Arts Decolonising Arts Institute with funding from Freelands Foundation, Arts Council England and UAL
Maple has been working as a resident artist with Bradford District Museums and Galleries for the project, creating new artworks based on Bradford’s collection, her mixed cultural upbringing, and the experiences of Bradford residents.
We Built This City - 150 Years Of The Bradford Society Of Architects And Surveyors
 Until Sunday, 2 March (11am - 4pm) at Bradford Industrial Museum
FREE
A new temporary exhibition co-curated between Bradford District Museums and Galleries and the Bradford Society of Architects and Surveyors to celebrate the Society’s 150-year anniversary.
Discover the 150-year history of the Bradford Society of Architects and Surveyors. Meet key people behind the planning, designing and building of Bradford from 1874 to the present day. Learn about the work of architects and surveyors, and the tools of their trade. Explore some of Bradford’s historic and iconic buildings.
Ilkley Literature Festival
 Until Sunday, 20 October
FREE
The prestigious literature festival returns for another phenomenal event in 2024.
Founded in 1973, it’s the North’s longest-running literary event, loved by writers, readers and publishers alike for its warm welcome and wide-ranging programme.
Poets, politicians, actors and adventurers will head to Ilkley for its famed literary festival this autumn.
Special guests this year include Gyles Brandreth, Prue Leith, Safiya Kinshasa, Julian Clary, Bradford’s own Saima Mir and dozens more talking about their latest works and passion projects.
Family fun
 Saturday, 12 October (2pm - 3.30pm) at Ilkley Manor House
FREE
There is always plenty for children to do in the house on weekends, such as the dressing-up box, decorating with chalk, and arts and crafts, but why not switch things up and visit us every second Saturday of the month for a special family fun session guided by our volunteers and staff, with a new activity each time!
Craft Workshop: Willow Birdfeeder
 Saturday, 12 October (11am - 4pm) at Bolling Hall Museum
Tickets: £33.22
Come and weave bird feeders from willow with Paula Taylor from Sponge Tree.
Spend a day using willow to weave some natural bird feeders to hold bird seed and fat balls, then hang in your garden and feed the birds during the winter.
This workshop is suitable for adult beginners.
Vismig
 Saturday, 12 October (7am - 10am) at Denso Marston Nature Reserve
FREE
Join the Vismig guided walk at Denso Marston Reserve in Baildon. This unique experience offers the opportunity to see the annual migration of birds known as Vismig, short for visible migration. Led by experienced and knowledgeable warden, you will embark on a walk through the beautiful reserve and learn about the different species of birds and their migratory patterns.
As you wander through the lush greenery and listen to the soothing sounds of birdsong, you will also gain insights into the conservation efforts being made to protect these feathered creatures.
Whether you are a seasoned birder or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, this guided walk is a must-try for all. So, grab your binoculars and join us at Denso Marston Reserve for a memorable Vismig experience.
Craft Workshop: Rag-Rugging
 Tuesday, 15 October (10am - 2pm) at Bradford Industrial Museum
Tickets: £16.96
Explore the sustainable craft of rag-rugging in this adults-only workshop. Nicola from Kynd will guide you in creating beautiful rag-rugged flower heads, introducing you to this mindful fireside craft.
There are 15 places available for this workshop.
Intercultured Festival
 Monday, 21 October - Saturday, 2 November (various times/locations)
The Intercultured Festival in Bradford is a vibrant celebration of diversity, culture, and community engagement. This annual event brings together people from various backgrounds to showcase their unique traditions, art forms, and culinary delights.
Here's what's coming up:
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Sound Bath (Thursday, 24 October | 12.30pm - 1.30pm at Bradford Cathedral) - A sound bath is a meditative and therapeutic experience where you listen to sounds and vibrations produced by instruments or voice, which can help your mind and body relax and enter a deep state of meditation. In a sound bath, you usually lay down and close your eyes. Bring a mat, cushion, and blanket to cover yourself.
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Pahari Poetry Mushaira (Friday, 25 October | 6pm - 9pm at Waterstones) - Nabeela Ahmed is a writer and multilingual poet. She has hosted poetry events and taught creative writing in schools, museums for the National Literacy Trust and festivals such as Jaag and The Bronte’s Parsonage. She hosts a monthly online Read Pahari Literature workshop and is one of the artist’s whose projects has been selected for Bradford 2025. The Pahari Literature Project will bring forward two new anthologies of Pahari Literature.
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Teens Run the World (Saturday, 26 October | 12pm - 4pm on John Street) - A range of activities for young people exploring arts, crafts and culture of today!
An Autumn Morning Walk
 Thursday, 24 October (10am - 12pm) at Denso Marston Nature Reserve
FREE (donations welcome)
Experience the beauty of nature in its autumn splendour with a guided walk at Denso Marston Reserve in Baildon. As you stroll through the reserve on a crisp autumn morning, you'll be surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colours as the leaves change from vibrant greens to fiery reds and oranges.
A knowledgeable warden will lead you through the winding trails, pointing out the various species of trees and plants that call this reserve home. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or just looking for a tranquil start to your day, the autumn morning guided walk at Denso Marston Reserve is not to be missed.
So grab your walking shoes and join us for a memorable and educational experience in the heart of nature.
Family Learning Festival
 Saturday 26 October - Sunday, 3 November (various times and locations)
FREE
The Bradford Family Learning Festival is an exciting annual event designed to inspire families to explore and discover through a variety of activities. Taking place during the October half term, the festival offers engaging experiences that promote learning and creativity across various locations in the District.
The festival promotes family bonding and community spirit, offering a chance to explore new places and create lasting memories. With contributions from guest speakers, local artists, and educators, it’s a must-visit for families looking to learn and have fun together.
Here's what's coming up:
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The Real McCoy: An Introduction to Black Inventors (Thursday, 24 October - Thursday, 31 October | 8am - 7pm at The Broadway) - a fascinating exhibition created by local educator Chris Peltier that showcases the hundreds of contributions made by Black scientists to objects and technology that we use in our daily lives. This includes the areas of film, radio, computing, gaming, emergency services and much more. Many of these inventors are not widely known, often due to institutional racism and records being lost.
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Apple Day (Saturday, 26 October | 12pm - 3pm at Cliffe Castle) - Join us for this very special celebration of autumn. Have a go at making your own candle with Beeswax sheets, or why not press your own apple juice in the beautiful wooden apple press. There’s a Busy Bees Quiz to complete too. It’s a full family day out with lots of activities throughout to enjoy.
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Deane Narayn-Lee: The Loving Earth (Monday, 28 October | 10am at Wyke Library) - Join author Deane Narayn-Lee for a reading of his book The Loving Earth. This will be followed by a session for all ages including junk modelling, artwork or writing an acrostic poem.
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Alexandra Rad: The World Trip (Tuesday, 29 October | 10am at Idle Library) - Discover new adventures, explore different places. Join our author signing event, Alexandra will be answering all your questions, reading from her picture book and giving away copies to take home!
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Wild and Windy Moors: Heifer Productions (Wednesday, 30 October | 10am - 4pm at Bradford District Libraries) - Join Heifer Productions and Emily Bronte on the wild windy moors of Haworth! Discover how Emily used her imagination to create world-famous stories and create a story of your own.
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Emma Reynolds: Amara and the bats (Friday, 1 November at Bradford District Libraries) - Bradford Libraries welcome Emma Reynolds and her picture book Amara & The Bats this half term. Emma will read from her book and engage children in a Bat Draw-Along! You’ll get to meet the bat plushies – the world’s biggest and smallest and take part in Emma’s Bat Fact Game.
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