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.
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.
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.
Dear England
Leeds Grand Theatre New Briggate, LeedsThe National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning smash hit comes to Leeds in a highly anticipated tour. From multi-award-winning writer James Graham (Sherwood, BBC) and director Rupert Goold (Patriots, Cold War), this five-star ‘new stage epic’ (Telegraph) tells the uplifting, at times heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager, in a ‘gripping’ (Times) examination of nation and game. 7.30pm. Wed & Thurs mat 2pm. £33 - £68.
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.
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
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.
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.
LIGHT UP LANCASTER
Town Centre, Lancaster LancasterThis year’s theme has been announced as ‘In The Blink of an Eye’. Audiences will experience a festival where shapeshifting, illusion and the ever-changing will be reflected in fun, engaging and clever light artworks.
BONFIRE NIGHT BACUP
Bacup Cricket Club Lane Head Lane, BacupGates open at 5 pm. The Bonfire will be lit at 5.30 pm. "Silent" fireworks at 6.30 pm, followed by the main display at 7.30 pm. There will be lots to do to entertain the whole family, including Fairground Rides and Children's Stalls, which will run until 9 pm. Early bird £12.
BONFIRE WEEKEND THORNTON HALL
Thornton Hall Country Park Thornton in Craven, BarnoldswickThis sell-out spectacular returns – bigger, brighter, and louder than ever before! Get ready for a blazing bonfire, jaw-dropping fireworks, and a night packed full of crackling excitement, tasty treats, and sparkling family fun.
FOCUS
The Atkinson Lord Street, SouthportThe band from the 1960s/70s that just keeps giving. Fresh from a successful 2024, which included the release of their new studio album Focus 12, they will traverse Europe to give their loyal fans what they always want: a good time and timeless music.