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.
SHREK THE MUSICAL
Skipton Town Hall High Street, SkiptonJoin Skipton Musical Theatre Company as they bring the smash-hit Shrek The Musical to life this autumn in a spectacular production filled with laughter, heart, and a whole lot of ogre-sized fun! Various times.
Bradford International Film Festival
Various Venues across BradfordBradford International Film Festival (BradIFF) is back! Celebrating the creativity of Bradford’s filmmakers alongside outstanding films from across the UK and beyond, BradIFF brings the magic of cinema to the heart of our UNESCO City of Film. With a rich filmmaking heritage and a thriving creative scene, Bradford has long been a powerhouse for film and television—and in 2025, the city shines even brighter as the UK City of Culture.
THE UNFRIEND
Ilkley Playhouse Weston Road, IlkleyWhen Peter and Debbie meet the super-friendly, lifeloving, Trump-supporting Elsa on a cruise, they politely agree to stay in contact – because that’s the polite thing to do, isn’t it? But when Elsa invites herself to stay a few months later, they decide to do some research into their uninvited guest… and uncover Elsa’s shocking hidden past. 7.30pm. Sat mat 2.30pm. £5 - £14.
Matilda
The Alhambra Theatre Morley Street, BradfordThis anarchic production, about a strong and determined heroine with a vivid imagination, has won over 100 global awards, including 24 for Best Musical. Various times & prices.
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.
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
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.
OFF THE SHELF FESTIVAL OF WORDS
Sheffield City CentreThe month-long celebration of books, words and ideas will bring leading literary voices, cultural figures and performers to venues across the city.
LIGHTPOOL FESTIVAL 2025
Blackpool CentreThe exciting programme features a spectacular mix of stunning light installations, captivating live performances, and mesmerising 3D projection shows.
SKIPTON MONSTER TRIAL
High Street, Skipton SkiptonTen monsters are hiding around town. Are you brave enough to find them? Find the monsters hidden in shop windows around the town centre and write down the letters they are hiding. Find the hidden word to be entered into a prize draw.
THE ELF EXPLORER
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway The Railway Station, Station Road, HaworthStep into a world of festive wonder with The Elf Explorer – a heart-warming steam train journey packed with Christmas cheer, mischievous elves, and a visit from Father Christmas himself.
HALLOWEEN GHOST TRAINS
East Lancashire Railway 23a Bolton St, BuryAre you ready for a fang-tastically frightening time on board the Halloween Ghost Trains? Count Brian the Vampire, his trusted henchman Bogeye and the whole monster squad are just dying to meet you at the East Lancashire Railway to celebrate the Year of the BAT this October!
GUNPOWDER PLOT AT HOGHTON TOWER
Hoghton Tower Hoghton, PrestonStep back into 1605 and walk the treacherous path with Guy Fawkes and the conspirators in this immersive, theatrical tour.
Boo at the Zoo
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis Hale, MilnthorpeJoin us for our spooky late-night lock-in. Discover the zoo in a completely different light, with some animals just waking up and others heading to sleep. With hair-raising howls, come along in fancy dress to be entered into a free prize draw. Plenty of late night animal talks and feeds, creepy cakes in the café, interactive hands-on activity tables and lots more. Normal entrance prices apply, members receive 20% discount on entry.
PINKED FLOYD
Burnley Mechanics Manchester Road, BurnleyStunning guitar riffs, spine-tingling keyboards, saxophone solos, beautiful female vocal harmonies, thumping bass and rhythm lines, all held together by charismatic front man Russ Samuels.
HAUNTINGS, HANGINGS AND HORRID HAPPENINGS TOUR
LANCASTER CASTLE Castle Parade, LancasterJoin an evening tour, exploring the spooky and sinister side of Lancaster's past, with tales of the ghoulish, the ghastly, the gloomy and the grim. These walking tours depart from Lancaster Castle's main entrance, the John O'Gaunt Gatehouse and end in Dalton Square around two hours later.
SOMETHING ABOUT GEORGE: THE GEORGE HARRISON STORY
The Atkinson Lord Street, SouthportThe musical biopic tribute about the so-called 'quiet' Beatle is back following a hugely successful 2024 UK and Ireland tour.
BONFIRE NIGHT TOD
Todmorden Cricket Club Burnley Rd, TodmordenBonfire and professional firework display.
BONFIRE NIGHT BLACKBURN
East Lancs CC Dukes Brow, BlackburnRBL Blackburn Branch are hosting a family fireworks and bonfire evening with fairground rides, food and bar. Tickets are £3.50 if booked in advance or £5 if paid at the gate.