Happy New Year Bradford: the UK City of Culture for 2025!
There’s loads to be excited about this January, with the reopening of Bradford’s favourite National Science and Media Museum and RISE, the Bradford 2025 opening event. Alongside these, we have the usual line-up of quality entertainment, including cinematic experiences and laugh-out-loud comedy.
Exciting Openings
- RISE: Get ready for magic in Bradford as we kick off our year as UK City of Culture 2025 at ‘RISE’, an open air spectacular held in City Park. Created by Kirsty Housley in collaboration with Steven Frayne (formerly known as Dynamo), RISE will be an inspiring tribute to the people and communities who make Bradford magic.
- A Grand Day Out at The National Science and Media Museum: to celebrate the museum’s reopening after an extensive refurbishment, join NSMM and Aardman Studios for a day of screenings, model making workshops and more!
- Nationhood: Memory and Hope: Acclaimed Ethiopian photographer Aïda Muluneh celebrates the diversity of the UK in 2025 with this outstanding collection of photography at Impressions Gallery.
Comedy
- You’re Having a Laff: Head to Theatre in the Mill for a night of non-stop laughter. Tej Dhutia will MC the event, which will be opened by rising star Shalaka Kurup and headlined by Ola Labib.
- Howard Walker’s Comedy Club: Comedy favourite Howard Walker launches a new residency at Silsden Town Hall with three doses of his comedy club every year, beginning with his first in January!
- The Ladies of Laughter are back, flexing their funny muscles especially for you!
Film
- Bhaji on The Beach: Head to Pictureville to experience director Gurinder Chadha and writer Meera Syal’s funny, frank and touching British comedy.
- Honeyland: Start the year with the captivating and award-winning documentary Honeyland, a must-see cinematic experience.
Heritage
- The Three Ann(e)s: Celebrating the Brontë Sister in Style: In Thornton, celebrate Anne, the “other” Brontë, whose quiet strength and bold words have been waiting far too long in the shadows. Enjoy readings, piano music, Brontë artifacts and more in this homage to her legacy.
Bradford kicks off the new year in style, celebrating its journey toward being the UK City of Culture 2025. With exciting events like the spectacular RISE opening show, the reopening of the National Science and Media Museum, and a vibrant lineup of comedy, film, and heritage activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this month.
