More than one million people have experienced Bradford 2025 projects in the first half of the year – with local venues seeing a huge uptick in visitors.
With June turning to July, Bradford’s year as City of Culture is now half over, and the group behind the year-long celebration have today revealed details of the impact and reach of Bradford 2025.
And interest in Bradford is expected to snowball in the coming months with the opening of several high-profile venues.
Around 1.1m people have experienced City of Culture events, which have taken place in all 30 of Bradford’s wards.
When the District was announced as City of Culture for 2025, it was estimated the event would attract 3.3m visitors over 12 months.
Long standing cultural venues in the District have benefitted from the extra attention coming to Bradford, with Impressions Gallery in Bradford City Centre seeing a 150 per cent increase in visitors.
Cartwright Hall in Lister Park has seen a 44 per cent increase in visitors, with more expected later this year when the gallery hosts the prestigious Turner Prize.
And 37,000 people have visited City of Culture exhibitions at the National Science and Media Museum.
Over 2,000 people have volunteered to help the celebrations run smoothly in the first six months and over 40,000 local people have participated in Bradford 2025 activity so far by performing or being part of workshops.
500 local artists and organisations have been involved in the programme since January.
Some of the biggest events of the year are still to come, including the site-specific adaptation of The Railway Children, BD:Festival and the Turner Prize 2025.
Bradford Culture Company says eight out of ten local residents that have been surveyed about the events said Bradford 2025 events had made them feel proud of where they live.
Seven in ten said it has helped them feel connected to others in the community and nine in ten attendees have rated events as “excellent” or “good”.
More than 30 cultural buildings have benefited from capital investment through Bradford 2025, to develop their cultural infrastructure, including creating much needed toilets at Brontë Parsonage Museum which is soon to celebrate its centenary, the install of a lift at Ilkley Playhouse, ther refurbishment of Bolton Woods Community Centre, and the relocation to a more suitable premises for The Peace Museum, which has seen 30,000 visitors since the move.
Other venues are due to open their doors for the first time in the second half of the year.
After many delays Bradford Live will finally start hosting events this Summer.
Darley Street Market, which will have an outdoor city square that can host events, opens on July 12, and the National Media Museum’s new Sound and Vision Gallery will also open later this month.
Dan Bates, Executive Director and Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025, said “It’s been incredible to see how audiences have embraced Bradford 2025. We’ve always said that our programme would be powered by its people and at the centre of everything we do – and these estimated audience figures reflect that. The UK City of Culture designation has marked a step-change in how Bradfordians see themselves and how they interact with creativity. We’ve seen culture become a catalyst for pride, connection, opportunity and growth – and at 6-months in, Bradford’s time is just getting started.”
Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport says “The UK City of Culture programme is about unlocking opportunity, giving communities the chance to express themselves, celebrate their heritage, and shape their future through creativity.
“It’s inspiring to see the people of Bradford and beyond really making the most of that, from art exhibitions and music performances to building their skills in game design and production.”
Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “Our year as UK City of Culture got off to an amazing start back in January with RISE and has gone from strength to strength since. The range and scale of events has really provided something for everyone, and there’s still plenty more to come too.
“As well as attracting more visitors to Bradford, it’s heartening to see the scale of involvement across the district with volunteers, schools, and community groups coming together and getting involved in some form or another.
“This year we’ve also seen increased footfall in Broadway and across the city centre, Bradford Live opening its doors, and our Theatres, museums and galleries having a bumper season. After all the hard work to get here, it really is our time.”
A full economic and social impact report will be published at the end of 2026.
By: Chris Young, LDRS
