Bradford marked the end of its year as UK City of Culture last weekend with a spectacular closing event featuring hundreds of local people. It was the last in a series of events that has showcased Bradford’s history and culture, with early estimates showing Bradford 2025 audiences in excess of three million.

Over the past 12 months the programme has featured events across an array of artforms, including: a 36-hour journey of sound with local musicians by Jeremy Deller, Charles Hazlewood and the Paraorchestra; hosting the Turner Prize, one of the most prestigious art prizes in the world; artwork by Bradford-born David Hockney created in drones for the first time; a theatre production of The Railway Children; culinary festivities with a community cookbook and a curry festival; film screenings at Ilkley Lido and Thornton Viaduct, and a celebration of the brilliance of British brass bands.

Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture has included:

• A world-class cultural programme attracting more than three million people
• More than 5,000 events across all 30 wards across the district – from the mills to the moors, to the city centre
• More than 650 local artists and organisations commissioned or involved in the year-long programme
• Over 87,000 individuals were involved in participatory projects: appearing in shows such as the opening event RISE and circus performance Bloom, taking part in Our Patch, and joining in with workshops
• Over 5,500 people benefiting from training, artist development, mentoring and paid work placements
• More than 160 schools and education settings taking part in specially created projects such as Sing, Dance, Leap and organised trips to shows and exhibitions
• A visit from King Charles and Queen Camilla celebrating the people and heritage of the district
• Hosting the Turner Prize at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, which has seen attendance double over the past 12 months
• A growth in tourism over the past year, with a significant rise in overnight stays, a 29 per cent increase in journeys taken between Bradford District and London and the Southeast on LNER services, and footfall in the city centre up by more than 25 per cent on previous years
• More than 30 cultural organisations in Bradford benefitting from capital investment to improve their buildings and facilities
• More than 110 grassroots groups receiving grants for creative activity
• Over 80 per cent of people surveyed saying Bradford 2025 had a positive impact on their wellbeing
• Eight in ten residents surveyed saying it made them feel proud of where they live
• More than 70 per cent of residents agreed that the programme made them feel more connected to people in their community
• Over 65 per cent of all suppliers have been Yorkshire-based.

Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture has been delivered by Bradford Culture Company, a charity supported by public funding, trusts, foundations and sponsors. The programme has laid the foundation for long-term cultural and economic growth, and work will continue in partnership with Bradford Council beyond this year to build on the success of the designation.

Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, said: “Bradford 2025 has created a powerful new narrative for the city and district, and I am delighted to see the rise in civic pride as a direct result of our year as UK City of Culture. Events have brought communities together and given us a chance to share the rich cultural life of Bradford with the world. This year has seen us welcome millions of people and we have laid the foundations for long-term transformation with capital investments, training opportunities, wide-ranging education initiatives, artist-development projects, and of course our cultural programme. Thank you to all the residents of Bradford who have come together to make this year such a huge success.”

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Lleader of Bradford Council, said: “Our year as UK City of Culture has really surpassed expectation and pushed the boundaries of what is possible. It’s given all our residents the opportunity to engage with cultural events and connect across communities as well as showcasing Bradford to the world. We are now poised to make the most of the pride, confidence and opportunities this year has given us, and turn the potential into real growth and better connections.

“I’d like to thank Bradford Culture Company for the world class programme they have delivered, and I’m so pleased that they will now continue to deliver for the district into 2027 and support the wider cultural sector as part of our approach to legacy.”

Image: Bradford 2025/RISE