What's On in 2024

As 2024 begins it’s time to look ahead to the incredible events coming to the Bradford district over the next 12 months. It’s going to be an amazing year, full of incredible experiences that will keep you returning to the district again and again. Here’s just a sample of what you can look forward to.

Kick off the year with a tasty pint or two at the Ilkley Beer Festival on 9^th and 10^th February. With an extensive range of craft beers, ciders, wines, and gins available you’ll have lots of options to choose from while enjoying the tunes of the live band in the King’s Hall.  So come on down and treat yourself to a fantastic time!

Discover a unique gaming experience in Bradford from 7th-10^th March when the Yorkshire Games Festival takes place across locations across the city. Play new games, learn how they’re made and listen to fascinating interviews with industry insiders at this great event in association with the National Science and Media Museum.

Enjoy a ride through the picturesque Worth Valley during the popular Steam Gala at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway which returns on 21^st-24^th March. The line will host a variety of visiting and unique engines as well as the home fleet with plenty of passenger services to whisk you along your way.

Defy gravity at Bradford Theatres Alhambra when one of the most successful musicals of all times arrives on stage from 16^th April-19^th May. Wicked takes you back to Oz to explore the history of Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West in a show packed with memorable songs.

Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Saltaire between 4^th-6^th May for the annual Saltaire Arts Trail. Including lots of great art installations, a makers’ fair and a chance to see inside some of the old mill workers houses as part of the open village, as well as much more to see and do.

Return to the Ilkley Carnival on Monday, 6^th May for a fantastic, fun-filled bank holiday packed with live music, entertainment, stalls, games, and a parade. Previous events have included duck races, dog shows, circus events and displays of birds of prey. Stay tuned for this year’s brilliant line-up.

Treat yourself to something tasty at the Ilkley Food and Drink Festival at Ilkley Riverside East Holmes Fields on 15th -16th June. Dozens of vendors offer you the opportunity to sample international cuisine while watching cooking demonstrations from the region's top chefs and enjoying the dazzling talents of magicians, comedians and artists! 

Celebrate the written word at the Bradford Literature Festival on 22nd June - 7^th July. Listen to amazing guests, get involved in brilliant activities and discover a new favourite read or two at one of the country’s best literary events.

Watch brilliant action on the water in Roberts Park, Saltaire on 19^th-21^st July at the Bradford Dragon Boat Festival. Fantastical craft will race along the river to the cheering of the crowd, whilst on land there will be plenty of live entertainment and delicious food to keep you going between races.

Rub your magical lamp and make a wish for a trip to see Disney’s Aladdin at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, on 14^th August-1^st September. This brilliant family show is full of all the brilliant characters and iconic songs from the classic film.

Get ready for the North’s liveliest and most prestigious literature festival when it returns to Ilkley on 4^th-20^th October. Dozens of leading authors, actors and politicians will arrive in Ilkley to talk about their latest works in 2024’s amazing event.

You can’t stop the beat at the Alhambra Theatre, especially not when Hairspray comes to town on 25^th-30^th November! Tracy Turnblad and the rest of the hit show’s larger than life characters sing their hearts out as they strive for unity in Baltimore.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates and even more events at: www.visitbradford.com/events. From the delicious BD:Taste Food Festival, to the quirky and unique Haworth Steampunk Weekend, the BD:Festival of wonderful arts, culture and entertainment, the lively Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Beer & Music Festival, to the exciting Super Soapbox Challenge as well as a variety of incredible shows and concerts, there is no shortage of fun and entertainment. But that's not all, as 2024 also brings the highly anticipated opening of Bradford Live and the first announcement of events for the city's momentous year as the UK's Capital of Culture in 2025.