Winter In The Bradford District

Let the Bradford district inspire you to make every day sparkle. Don’t forget your woolly scarf and plan fascinating days out and activities with your family and friends. You’ll discover plenty of ideas and winter inspiration, whether you’re seeking creative workshops, seasonal food markets, fascinating exhibitions at museums and galleries, or wanting to see a magnificent show.

FESTIVE LAUNCH

The festive season begins with the Festive Launch at The Broadway in Bradford. This huge festive party makes a very special return on Saturday 12th November to mark the city’s official Christmas lights switch-on. It’ll be a wonder-filled night to remember, with a star-studded line up of celebrity performers taking to the stage and the live final of the Broadway presents talent competition, followed by a show-stopping fireworks display in city park.

 

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Fe-fi-fo-fum, a giant of a panto your way comes! Join Bradford’s best-loved comic, Billy Pearce, as he helps Jack on his quest to climb a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to cloudland in the spectacular family pantomime Jack and the Bean stalk at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford. Doomed to sell his trusty cow, join Jack and his family as they fight to save the beautiful Princess Apricot, outwit the evil giant, and win riches beyond his wildest dreams, and the hand of the girl he loves. Expect laughs, music, special effects, magic beans, and bundles of audience participation in this giant of a pantomime from 10th December till 22nd January.

HAWORTH

Every Christmas, Haworth is illuminated by dazzling fairy lights and lovely store windows. Its cobbled Main Street is home to beautiful independent gift stores, tea rooms, and public houses, and the locals and businesses offer bands, choirs, carol singers, and Father Christmas for visitors to see on the four weekends leading up to Christmas. The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway offers amazing journeys throughout the holiday season. In this charming Yorkshire village, escape to an olde-worlde Christmas ambiance while enjoying an intriguing independent retail experience. Get some late-night shopping done to buy some beautiful Christmas gifts on the 1^st December and 22^nd December.

SPARKLING HAWORTH

Haworth’s Christmas lights will be twinkling and there will be festive cheer all round with the Christmas Light Switch On from November 26th to the 27th. Explore the wonderful variety of independent shops on Main Street for unique and thoughtful Christmas gifts. Shop ‘til you drop and then why not pop in to one of the many pubs, bars, or restaurants on the street for an evening drink or meal?

New for this year, there will also be the first-ever Haworth Santa Fun Run on November 26th taking place in Haworth. Get running!

TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION WEEKEND

As the sun sets, the Torchlight Procession begins. When the band strikes up and the carols begin the procession slowly winds its way up the Main Street on the 3^rd and 4^th December.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC WEEKEND

Get on your dancing winter shoes! Throughout the weekend, traditional Christmas carols and festive favourites will be performed down Main Street. Spend the weekend in Haworth shopping for Christmas and having fun on the 10^th and 11^th December

NATIVITY PROCESSION WEEKEND

Gather round the Christmas tree at the bottom of Main Street and meet Joseph, Mary and the donkeys as they make their way up the hill, searching for a resting place. All angels and shepherds welcome from the 17^th December till the 18^th.

BRONTË TREASURES BY CANDLELIGHT

Experience the traditions of times gone by this Christmas. Join the Haworth Parsonage for a glass of sherry, some Christmas cheer, and the chance to see the parsonage dressed for the Christmas season on December 2nd. Experience the historic rooms of the parsonage by candlelight and view some treasures of the collection at close quarters in the museum library.

 

CHRISTMAS EVENTS ON THE KEIGHLEY & WORTH VALLEY RAILWAY

Board the Elf Explorer for a fun-filled family adventure on this exciting event throughout various dates in November and December. The excitement begins when you arrive at Oxenhope station and you are guided by an Elf from the North Pole through a winter wonderland, ready to make your wish list for Santa, this promises to be a  journey of festive discovery where the magic of Christmas comes to life!

Make a new Christmas tradition this year by booking a seat on the Mulled Wine Special running on selected dates in December. You will stop at Keighley Station, where you can listen to holiday music and be served mulled wine and a mince pie in the luxury of your own seat.

Take a journey through the Worth Valley, full of festive cheer and magical carols on the 17^th December. The Carol Service Train departs from Oxenhope Station, pausing at stations en route to Keighley to warm up your vocal cords with festive carols on the platform along with a Brass Band.

Join the Mince Pie Special from Boxing Day 2022 to 2nd January 2023, travel in a toasty Yuletide carriage with a tasty mince pie, as the festive journey continues into the New Year.

 

SALTAIRE LIVING ADVENT CALENDAR

In 2021, 62 windows in Saltaire were opened in the run up to Christmas, with 14 houses and community buildings illuminated.  From 1st December, a selection of windows will ‘open’ with at least one new window being ‘opened’ each evening until 24th December, creating a festive trail throughout the village. Window designs remain a secret until they are revealed at 4pm on their light-up date, and typically include traditional and modern festive scenes, quirky characters and tales influenced by Saltaire, culture, and the window creators own lives and experiences – often with a good sprinkling of festive humour!

ILKLEY AT CHRISTMAS

Christmas in Ilkley begins with the Christmas lights switch on Saturday 26^th November, the event will include a Christmas market on The Grove, live music and entertainment and of course the traditional Santa parade. Over at the Manor House the Ilkley Christmas Makers Fair will take place 26-27 November and 3-4 December, the ideal time to find that perfect gift created by talented artists and makers. The popular Christmas Tree Festival returns to St Margaret’s Church, Ilkley Friday 2^nd and Saturday 3^rd December, the church will be filled with a stunning display of trees all individually decorated, accompanied by live music performances and seasonal refreshments.

WINTER ARTS AND CRAFTS

Christmas markets are a great place to get in the festive mood and find unique gifts for a loved one. So pull on your winter boots and visit one of the Christmas markets near you for some wintry cheer. Step into a world of festive delights at the Victorian Christmas Market at Bradford Industrial Museum, with over 80 stalls, kids activities and Santa too, or find your present inspiration at the Christmas Market at Odsal Stadium which will be hosting a fun filled weekend featuring a range of stalls and Santa’s grotto, both events take place 26-27 November.

Alternatively meet up with friends and enjoy some festive crafting, Join Tyro Studios, Shipley for a festive wreath-making workshop with various dates in November and December. At this gorgeous workshop, you will be greeted with festive tunes, seasonal drinks and delicious festive baked goods. You will be led step by step on the art of creating a large and beautiful Christmas wreath using real pine and Norwegian Fir picked fresh from a local Christmas tree farm. You can also Crochet Christmas Gnomes at Mrs Duttons Wonderful Workshops, Ilkley, or try your hand at festive macramé at The Craft House, Bingley

 

VAN GOGH ALIVE

The Van Gogh Alive experience is making its Yorkshire debut in the newly-crowned City of Culture. The experience will run in Bradford from now until to January 8^th. You can watch Starry Night sparkle above the calming river Rhône or wander through the mirror room filled with bright yellow sunflowers as it gives you something different to do amongst the festive period.

The Bradford district is evidently a winter wonderland you can’t miss. With twinkling Christmas lights, carollers on the street, freshly baked mince pies and festive get-togethers, Yorkshire captures the season’s aura wonderfully.