UK City of Culture 2025
Various venues BradfordBradford district’s year of culture is set to deliver more than 1,000 new performances and events including 365 artist commissions, a series of major arts festivals and major national and international collaborations. Visit the website for further details.
From Haworth To Eternity: The Enduring Legacy Of The Brontës
Bronte Parsonage Museum Church Street, HaworthThe Brontës’ enduring popularity is largely explained by the power and originality of the stories they created, but the story of the Brontës’ own lives is as compelling as their fictions. The family’s home at Haworth Parsonage, and the moorland surrounding it, were a profound influence on the Brontës, and became part of the irresistible draw of Haworth for visitors from all over the world.
Life Goes On – Exhibition
Salts Mill Saltaire, ShipleyAn exhibition featuring Ian Beesley, a celebrated Bradford-born photographer. Known for his powerful images of Northern England, Beesley will showcase a collection of previously unseen works from his extensive archive. Wed - Sun 10am - 5pm. Free.
An Account of Life: Gawthorpe Hall in the 1600s
An exhibition bringing the household of Gawthorpe Hall in the 1600s to life, through the original account books of the Shuttleworth Family. Various opening times.
Bradford on Foot
Bradford on Foot BradfordDiscover Bradford on Foot, a collection of themed walks and tours exploring hidden streets, scenic countryside, and local heritage. Curated for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, these routes have been selected by walking groups, historians, schoolchildren, artists, and locals. All available to download or pick up in paper format at Bradford libraries.
A Good Yarn
Bradford Industrial Museum, Moorside Road, BradfordA Good Yarn is quite the sight – a gigantic yarn ball, three metres high and wide. It was created by 2,500 residents of BD10, who plaited vast quantities of found and donated fabric into a kilometre-long rope and then wound it into a ball. After following its rolls through the streets of BD10 the yarn ball which was the brainchild of Luke Jerram, is now on display at Bradford Industrial Museum.
Ilkley Literature Festival
Various venues in IlkleyIlkley Literature Festival, established in 1973, is the longest-standing literature festival in the north of England. Running for 17 days every October, the festival features over 100 events, including talks, panel discussions, poetry readings, performances, writing workshops, and interactive experiences.
THE BLACKPOOL TOWER CIRCUS
Blackpool Tower Circus BlackpoolExperience stunts, comedy, and legendary clowns Mooky and Mr Boo at this historic circus.
Axe-Throwing
The Axe Imperium The Fun House, ColneAxes to Ashes is coming to The Fun House, Colne. Inject some spontaneity, some excitement, some togetherness! Reconnect with your partner, your children, your friends. Do something that makes you feel alive. Release that inner Viking Lose your pent-up frustration It's therapy. It's fun. It's addictive. Axes to Ashes isn't an ordinary axe throwing venue with very limited equipment; it has Tomahawks, Angel Axes, Throwing Knives and its very own Axes to Ashes Dragon Axe®. Plus there is an Axelings™ Range which is suitable for children and those with physical impairments which may limit their ability to throw regular projectiles. Various times and prices.
Trial By Jury
Bradford Police Museum, City Hall, Centenary Square,, BradfordExperience the drama and intrigue of a Victorian-era courtroom like never before! Join us for an immersive reenactment where you become part of the story. First Saturday of each month. £15/£20.
Saltaire Farmers Market
Roberts Park Higher Coach Road, SaltaireThe Saltaire Farmers Market takes place on the second Sunday of every month It offers a wide variety of products from local and independent traders, including hot food and drinks, baked goods, cheese, cakes, pies, , brownies, chocolates, charcuterie, fish, fruits, vegetables, jewellery, candles, clothes, gifts, and treats.
Monthly Classic Car Rally at Heskin Hall
Heskin Hall Wood Lane, ChorleyMonthly classic vehicle (all types welcome) rally on a Sunday. Prize for winner. £3.00 to enter. Free for those visiting to look around.Cafe at the Manor & bar are open! See website for dates.
Woven Through Time: Bradford’s Textile Industry – Past and Present
Bradford Industrial Museum, Moorside Road, BradfordBorn and raised in Bradford, Ian Beesley is an award winning and internationally acclaimed artist and photographer. During the 1970s and 80s, Ian was given the opportunity to photograph inside the working mills of Bradford. For this exhibition, Ian has revisited Bradford’s textile industry once again, capturing how it has changed in the decades since. Closed Mon. Exhibition ends 16th Nov.
Katharine Holmes and Three Generations of Painting and Living in a Malham Cottage
The Folly, Victoria Street, Settle BD24 9EY The Folly, Victoria Street, SettleThis exhibition explores Katharine Holmes’s stunning modern paintings alongside the work of her mother and grandmother, Phillipa Holmes and Constance Pearson. Selected works by Katharine Holmes will be for sale. Runs until Sat, 3 January 2026
CUTE & CREEPY HALLOWEEN CREATIONS
Clitheroe Castle Castle Hill, ClitheroeMake something spooktacular this month! Your little monsters can decorate a Wicked Wooden Halloween tealight (£3.50) or a Frightfully Fun Treat Bag (£2.50).
BRITISH TEXTILE BIENNIAL
Various Venues KnareboroughBritish Textile Biennial (BTB) is a free festival of contemporary art, commissioning artists and designers from all over the world to make work inspired by the context and legacy of the textile industry in East Lancashire and its global impact, often in the places that were created by it.
Spiders Web by Agatha Christie
The Grand Theatre, St. Leonardsgate LancasterClarissa, married to a top diplomat, loves to spin tales just like a spider spins a web. However, when someone is murdered right in her drawing room, that’s another matter! Live drama is so much harder to cope with! Presented by Lancaster Footlights.
Opera North’s Susanna
Leeds Grand Theatre New Briggate, LeedsOpera and dance combine in this story with a dark heart and strong contemporary resonance. This collaboration between Opera North and Phoenix Dance Theatre is set against some of Handel’s most memorably melodic music. Various prices.
HAYSEED DIXIE
Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre, BarnoldswickCreators of their own musical genre, "Rockgrass", Hayseed Dixie initially formed in 2000, covering classic AC/DC tracks in their own unique style, and hitting the road soon after to play some live shows, chase some women, and drink some beer. And they haven't stopped since.
Hello Again: The Neil Diamond Songbook
City Varieties Music Hall 46 New Briggate, LeedsCelebrating 60 Diamond Years, the smash-hit show Hello Again is back in 2025 with a brand-new, mind-blowing production – it’s the world’s greatest celebration and tribute to the life and work of Neil Diamond.
An Evening with Professor Alice Roberts
St. George's Hall BradfordJoin Professor Alice Roberts as she takes us on an investigative journey to establish who spread Christianity, how and why; the story of the fall of an Empire – and the rise of another. Celebrating the publication of her new book, Domination,