Bradford 2025

UK City of Culture 2025

Bradford was named UK City of Culture 2025.

Awarded every four years by the government, the UK City of Culture title has had a transformational impact on previous host cities, securing millions of pounds of investment and acting as a catalyst for creative place-making and culture-led regeneration. Bradford was no different. 

Over 3 million people visited the city, attending over 5,000 events hosted and performed by more than 650 local artists and organisations. More than 30 cultural organisations in the city received capital investment, and more than 110 community groups received funding for creative activity. 65% of all suppliers to the City of Culture were Yorkshire-based. 

Bradford was awarded City of Culture in the face of fierce competition, with a record 20 cities and regions entering bids. The award was testament to the hard work of the BD2025 team, as well as Bradford Literature Festival (BLF), which was independently cited as a key reason for Bradford being awarded the UK City of Culture 2025. 

Bradford Literature Festival celebrated Bradford 2025 with a lot of exciting events spread across the city. BLF was chosen as BBC Arts and The Reading Agency’s partner for Big Tasty Read, a campaign to promote the joy of reading through food. As part of this BLF hosted events such as Grace Dent and Nish Katona In Conversation, and The Food Our Grandmothers Knew with Radhika Howarth.