Events and What's On across the Bradford DistrictThe Beacon Until Monday, 31 August in Wibsey Park FREE (Some ticketed events) The Bradford Culture Company brings the Beacon to Wibsey Park this August, taking up residence in Bradford South for a full month of summer‑holiday fun. The Beacon will host a lively programme of family‑friendly events, including comedy, live music, performance and play. Bradford African Festival of Arts Monday, 3 August - Saturday, 8 August at various venues FREE Celebrate the richness, creativity and diversity of African culture at the Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA), a six-day programme of exhibitions, film, theatre, fashion, cultural experiences and community events taking place across Bradford. Wet Felting Friday, 7 August (11am - 3pm) at Bradford Industrial Museum FREE Be inspired by our exhibition ‘Made by Many Hands’ and make something beautiful with your hands! Wet felting is a traditional craft technique that can transform wool into a colourful piece of fabric. Come to this family event to try something new and creative. Events at Bradford Markets Fantastic events taking place at Bradford Markets: - Chloe Blood (Friday, 7 August | 12pm - 2pm) at Darley Steet Market - Kick off your afternoon with live music from Chloe Blood. Enjoy a mix of original songs and well-loved covers in a relaxed lunchtime setting at the heart of Bradford city centre.
- Dead Freedom (Friday, 7 August | 6pm - 8pm) at Darley Street Market - Dead Freedom makes his Darley Street Kitchen debut with a set packed with blues-infused guitar work and Americana influences, making it the perfect way to start your evening before heading to Bradford Live. Expect shades of early Springsteen, soaring melodies and exceptional musicianship.
- Courtyard Clash (Saturday, 8 August | 12.30pm - 6pm) at Darley Street Market - Watch local stars and championship contenders clash in the ring during three exciting live wrestling shows. Expect high-energy entertainment, family-friendly action and plenty of dramatic moments as some of the region's top wrestling talent battle it out in the heart of Bradford.
- Charlie Hansen (Saturday, 8 August | 5pm - 7pm) at Darley Street Market - Charlie Hansen returns to Darley Street Kitchen with a crowd-pleasing acoustic set, transforming indie favourites into singalong anthems and bringing a lively energy to the heart of Bradford city centre.
- Lola Simms (Friday, 14 August | 12pm - 2pm) at Darley Street Market - Lola Simms makes her Darley Street Kitchen debut as part of the Live Lunch summer series, bringing beautifully crafted songwriting and intricate guitar work to an intimate lunchtime performance in the heart of Bradford city centre.
- Kirran Shah (Saturday, 15 August | 12.30pm - 2.30pm) at Darley Street Market - Kirran Shah kicks off our ‘Bantams in the Courtyard’ season of Bradford City AFC pre-match entertainment at Darley Street Market with an eclectic mix of funk, soul, disco, nu-disco, 80s classics, rock, metal, ambient and trip-hop.
- The Homburg (Friday, 21 August | 12pm - 2pm) at Darley Street Market - Jack from local favourites The Homburgs brings his trademark energy to Darley Street Kitchen with a solo set featuring well-known covers reimagined in classic Homburg style alongside powerful original songs and an infectious live performance.
Bradford South Asian Festival 2026: Storywala Saturday, 8 August (10am - 5pm) at Bradford Arts Centre FREE Be among the first to experience Storywala, a unique travelling story caravan and community space celebrating storytelling, creativity and community through a packed day of activities, performances and workshops. Jowett Cars at the Mill Saturday, 8 August (11am - 3pm) at Bradford Industrial Museum FREE If you are into vintage cars, this is an event for you! Come to see amazing old-timer models and join the family craft activity – car making from recycled materials. You can also take part in Jowett’s board game. Bandstand concerts Fantastic music being played at bandstands across the district. Here's what's coming up: Roberts Park - Sunday, 9 August (2pm - 4pm) - Soul Jazz Collective
- Sunday, 16 August (2pm - 4pm) - Bradford Concert Band
Myrtle Park - Saturday, 8 August (12pm - 4pm) - Vinyl Revival
- Sunday, 9 August (2pm - 4pm) - Bradford Concert Band
- Saturday, 15 August (2pm - 4pm) - Skinner n Twitch
- Sunday, 16 August (2pm - 4pm) - Anchor Big Band
Keighley Gala Saturday, 8 August (10.30am - 3pm) at Cliffe Castle FREE The much‑loved Keighley Gala returns this summer with a full day of family‑friendly entertainment set in the beautiful grounds of Cliffe Castle. Expect a lively atmosphere, community spirit, and plenty to see and do throughout the day. Heritage Craft Workshop: Leaded Stained Glass Saturday, 8 August (10.30am - 4pm) at Bradford Industrial Museum Tickets: £95 Join Samantha Yates, stained glass artist and conservator, for an exclusive full day workshop creating your own bespoke leaded glass panel. Samantha is a specialist dedicated to the conservation and repair of historic stained and leaded glass, while also designing and creating new stained glass and leaded lights. Saltaire Farmers Market Sunday, 9 August (10am - 3pm) in Roberts Park FREE The Saltaire Farmers Market takes place on the second Sunday of every month at The Promenade in Roberts Park. It offers a wide variety of products from local and independent traders, including hot food and drinks, baked goods, cheese, cakes, pies, pretzels, brownies, chocolates, charcuterie, fish, fruits, vegetables, jewellery, candles, clothes, gifts, and treats. Meet the Butterfields Tuesday, 11 August (11am - 3pm) at Cliffe Castle FREE Meet Henry Isaac, Frederick and Mary Louise Butterfield, as they come back from the past and share their stories of Cliffe Castle. The Butterfields are from Yorkshire – their mills and their family house were originally in Haworth. Cliffe Hall (as the Castle was first known) was their weekend retreat, and under Henry Isaac Butterfield's ownership was converted in the grand house we're more familiar with today. Upcycling Clothes with Dye Tuesday, 11 August (11am - 3pm) at Bradford Industrial Museum FREE A family workshop inspired by the exhibition Made By Many Hands. Instead of throwing your child’s old T-shirt away, bring it along to this creative upcycling workshop and transform it into a unique fashion statement. Moorside Mill Mystery Wednesday, 12 August (11am - 3pm) at Bradford Industrial Museum Tickets: £2 A crime has been committed… can you crack the case? Moorside Mill Mystery is an interactive, family‑friendly puzzle experience taking place at Bradford Industrial Museum on 12 August 2026. Families, puzzle‑lovers and curious detectives of all ages are invited to explore the museum, enjoy the summer weather, and work together to crack the case. The Georgian Era – The Start of Modern Medicine Wednesday, 12 August (11am - 3pm) at Bolling Hall FREE Come and discover the medicines of the past—some surprising, strange and even amusing by today’s standards. Learn about the beginnings of the Ilkley Spa, explore the history of stethoscopes and quack remedies, and uncover fascinating stories from the world of historical healthcare. Live at the Courtyard Friday, 14 August - Sunday, 16 August at Darley Street Market Tickets: £10 - £20 Live at the Courtyard brings a new three‑day music weekender to Darley Street Market from 14 - 16 August, filling the outdoor courtyard with live performances, great food and a relaxed summer atmosphere. Friday opens with Leeds rock favourites Pulled Apart By Horses (supported by Meryl Streek), known for their high‑energy, unpredictable shows and crowd‑igniting tracks like V.E.N.O.M. and I Punched a Lion in the Throat. Saturday features chart‑breaking singer‑songwriter Lucy Spraggan (supported by Lucy Robinson), performing reimagined favourites such as Last Night (Beer Fear) alongside new material from her latest album. The weekend closes on Sunday afternoon with indie‑pop hitmakers The Hoosiers (supported by Marie Franc), bringing feel‑good anthems including Worried About Ray and Goodbye Mr A from their No.1 debut album. Summer Celebration in Lister Park and Cartwright Hall Friday, 14 August (3pm - 7pm) at Cartwright Hall FREE Join us for a joyful afternoon and evening of nature, creativity and wellbeing at our Summer Celebration – a free, family-friendly event for the whole community. Guided Walks Fantastic, scenic walks taking place across the district: - Friends of Ilkley Cemetery Guided Walk (Saturday, 15 August | 2pm) at Ilkley Cemetery - This walk will be lead by local historian Denise Shillitoe, who will explore the histories of some of the people buried or commemorated in the cemetery, whose lives were connected with Ilkley's hydos - as owners, patients, visitors or workers.
- A Silent Walk (Saturday, 15 August | 10am) at Denso Marston Nature Reserve - Taking a quiet stroll is one of the most peaceful ways to relieve stress and restore calm. Visitors are invited to join the warden for a gentle walk through the reserve, pausing on benches along the way to sit, listen, and unwind amid nature’s sounds.
- The Next Station Stop is Thackley (Friday, 21 August | 10am) from Baildon Railway Station - Meet walk leaders Barbara Walker and Chris Grogan at 10am at Baildon station for a railway-related walk of 6 miles. Please come suitably dressed for the weather conditions on the day of the walk.
Music at the Museum: Phoenix Band Sunday, 16 August (2pm - 3pm) at Bradford Industrial Museum FREE Join us for another concert in the Music at the Museum 2026 season as we continue this year’s programme at Bradford Industrial Museum, running alongside our events at Cliffe Castle. This performance features Phoenix Band Wakefield, a local non‑contesting brass band formed in 1992. Over the years, the band has built a reputation for delivering engaging concerts with a varied programme designed to appeal to audiences of all ages. Bradford by the Sea Monday, 17 August - Thursday, 27 August (11am - 4pm) in City Park FREE A bright, beach‑themed summer takeover in the heart of the city. Bradford BID is bringing a burst of beach‑day energy to the city centre this August. Drop into City Park for free games and creative activities from the giant PlayBox, try oversized games, and settle into a deckchair while children enjoy the fountains nearby. Across the city centre, follow a trail of impressive sand sculptures created by talented artists and placed outside local businesses. “Savages” – Free Family Film and Activities Tuesday, 18 August (11am - 3pm) at Cliffe Castle FREE Friends of the Earth present a free, family‑friendly screening of the stop‑motion animation Savages, directed by Claude Barras. Join us for this special screening exploring themes of nature, community and environmental responsibility. The event is free to attend, but numbers are limited, so a ticket must be booked in advance. Following the film, stay for free drop‑in arts and craft activities from 12:30pm to 3pm, perfect for families looking to continue the creativity together. Be inspired by the Georgian Nursery Wednesday, 19 August (11am - 3pm) at Bolling Hall FREE Sketch an item from the Georgian nursery at Bolling Hall and make a clay model. Alongside the activities for older children, this event will also have activities suitable for children aged 0-5 years old. Set in the atmospheric surroundings of Bolling Hall Museum, it’s a great opportunity to combine family fun with a journey through centuries of local history. Pre-Raphaelite Portraits Thursday, 20 August (11am - 3pm) at Cartwright Hall FREE Explore our Pre-Raphaelite Portrait exhibition and work with an artist to create your own portrait to take home. Storytelling and Miniature Books Friday, 21 August (11am - 3pm) at Bradford Industrial Museum FREE Come to this family workshop to experience the magic of storytelling. You can make a miniature book to tell your own story. Summer Cinema at Pictureville Until Saturday, 22 August at Pictureville Cinema Experience the magic of cinema with your little ones at our range of family-friendly screenings. |
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