Bradford District
Your guide to attractions, events, and activities in and around Bradford... There's a lot to discover; visit www.visitbradford.com for more possibilities.
BD: Festival is back – and it’s bigger than ever! Bradford city centre transforms for a two-day spectacular on 25–26 July, packed with free, family-friendly fun across City Park and Centenary Square. Expect thrilling performances, music, creative activities, craft stalls, food and surprises around every corner.
✨ Festival highlights include:
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Soka Tira Osoa by Cie Basinga, the headline act on Friday 25 July, is a captivating tightrope performance above City Park’s Mirror Pool, accompanied by live music and showcasing extraordinary skill and balance.
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Zee and the City, a brand-new street adventure starring Zee, a 4-metre-tall puppet with big dreams – world premiere on Saturday night from Puppets with Guts, commissioned by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
🦖 Plus, don’t miss:
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Close Act’s roaming dinosaurs, Saurus, stomping through the streets Friday at 15:00 & 18:30 and Saturday at 15:00 & 17:30 – a jaw-dropping experience for all ages.
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Inextremist’s circus installation, Damocles, where the audience builds a wooden structure and finds a hero among them. Friday at 17:00, Saturday at 13:30 & 17:45.
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Justice in Motion’s dynamic parkour show, CODE, features stunt bikes and acrobatic skills and is ideal for older children aged 10+ and teens keen to pick up some tricks with the team. Catch it on Friday at 17:00 and Saturday at 13:00 & 16:00.
Download the BD:Festival programme (PDF) and map out your festival fun.
Bradford and Ilkley will co-host this year’s official Yorkshire Day celebration with a weekend of events from Friday, 1 August. Highlights include the opening of Bradford Live with Yorkshire Calling, featuring the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra. At Bradford Industrial Museum, explore clay crafts, street games, washday demos, and costumed characters—plus a surprise visit from Titus Salt on an alpaca. Bradford BID leads a Family Photo Walk from outside Waterstones, tracing personal heritage through the city. In Ilkley, enjoy street food, live entertainment, and a civic procession through The Grove. Epic Yorkshire at Pictureville Cinema runs all August with screenings of Emily, God’s Own Country and The Selfish Giant, alongside a narrated travelogue and City of Film map. Across the district, expect comedy, drama, dance, poetry, exhibitions, and more.
©National Trust Images Arnhel de Serra
Make the most of summer at East Riddlesden Hall in Keighley! Step into a world of play through the ages with archaeology trails, historic lawn games, sandbox digs and lively dance lessons—perfect for curious minds and creative families. Explore ten themed play stations across the gardens, try pottery crafts in the Discovery Room and spark imaginations in the Discovery Garden with its mud kitchen, puppet theatre and trim trail. Travel by bus between 26 July and 31 August to receive 50% off admission—making a family visit just £5.25.
🎉 Win Tickets to Spot’s Birthday Party! Celebrate Spot’s big day at King’s Hall, Ilkley, on Saturday, 9 August 2025, for your chance to win one of two Family Tickets (admits four) and Spot’s Birthday Party Book.
Enjoy music, dancing, and party fun with Spot and his friends—including Steve the Monkey, Tom the Crocodile, Helen the Hippo and Spot’s parents—in this joyful stage adaptation of Happy Birthday Spot, perfect for families and little ones alike.
Closing date: 31 July 2025 | T&Cs apply.
One Giant Puppet. One Buzzing City. One Epic Adventure
Date: 26 July 2025 | Time: 19:00 | Location: Starting point - Junction of Tyrell St and Bridge St. | Tickets: Free (no ticket required).
Zee and the City hits the streets of Bradford on Saturday, 26 July — a bold, brilliant performance packed with music, movement and imagination as part of BD:Festival and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
Zee is a four-metre-tall puppet and proud Bradfordian, mad about buzzing bees, custom cars and dreaming of a greener future. She’ll lead a playful, high-energy journey through the city — bringing its past, present and future to life.
Created by Puppets with Guts, Zee and her crew will transform Bradford’s streets with colour and storytelling — ending in City Park with a joyful finale. It’s completely free and great for all ages.
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Summer Sounds
Dates: 2-3 Aug 2025 | Location: The Beacon at Cliffe Castle Park | Tickets: Beacon stage: £15/day or £25/weekend — limited capacity. Free entry to festival gardens with food, DJs and workshops.
From drum and bass to bhangra, jazz to Afrobeat, and everything in between, join us for two unforgettable days of uplifting performances by local and international musicians and DJs. Enjoy the festival atmosphere and soulful vibes, DJ sets, delicious street food and interactive workshops, all in the heart of Keighley.
Saturday is curated by Dialled In, who, since 2021, have been dedicated to uplifting the new South Asian underground. Headlined by trailblazer Asha Puthli, whose stellar set at Glastonbury 2024 fused Indian classical, jazz and disco into a uniquely cosmic soundscape. Plus Ganayva’s soulful sounds, Panjabi rave aces Jawani Nights, the bang-bang sounds of Dohl Academy and more!
Sunday sees Nitin Sawhney, Poppy Ajudha and Joshua Idehen headline a packed line-up of artists whose music knows no boundaries – from singer-songwriters to poets, soulful divas to thrilling big bands. Curated by Serious, creators of outstanding live music and cultural experiences.
 If you're planning to visit the Bradford District in the next few months, here are some highlights for your diary.
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