What's On In June

June in Bradford is packed with summer festivities and celebrations! As Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, the district continues to deliver standout experiences, including The Beacon at Bowling Park and the Incredible Moving Cinema. With longer days, warmer weather and vibrant outdoor events, it’s the perfect time to soak up the season. Plus Museum Week (2–8 June) encourages exploration of exhibitions, while Pride Month brings colourful community gatherings and performances.

Begin the month with a special heritage tour at St George’s Hall in Bradford on Thursday, 5th June. Alice Parsons will help you travel back in time to explore the rich history of gender-bending performance and LGBTQ+ artists at the venue.

Catch all the action at the Lexus Ilkley Open from 8th-15th June! Hosted by the Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club, this tournament is packed with world-class matches.  Plus, Beyond the Baseline, brings electrifying performances and live music to the courts—blending sport and culture for an unforgettable experience!

Join the Windrush Generations Carnival of Cultures on 14th June in Bradford, celebrating 77 years of Windrush with vibrant music, delicious food, and a joyful tribute to community and heritage

Follow the Thornton Arts Trail through the village on 14th-15th June. You’ll discover art in private houses, workshops in galleries, open studios, open-air art demonstrations and much more as you explore.

Tickle your tastebuds at the Ilkley Food and Drink Festival on 14th-15th June at East Homles Field. Expect demonstrations from professional chefs, live entertainment throughout the weekend and, of course, loads of tasty food and drink to try!

Celebrate nature at the Denso Marston Nature Reserve in Baildon on Saturday, 14th June. Meet at the reserve for an afternoon filled with engaging activities and opportunities to learn about the local flora and fauna.

Head into Brontë Country from 19th-23rd June for the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway’s Diesel Gala. Enjoy five days of classic diesel locomotives from the home fleet plus special guest engines, all running through the stunning valley scenery.

Travel back in time at Ice Age Now, an exhibition at Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley from 21st June-14th September and discover artwork dating back thousands of years. Bradford 2025 and the British Museum present a fascinating exhibition of Ice Age-era artefacts, featuring rare items from the British Museum alongside local treasures from Bradford District Museums & Galleries.

Discover one of the UK’s top literary festivals as the Bradford Literature Festival returns from 27th June-6th July. This year’s event will be bigger than ever, featuring world premieres, inspiring discussions, and interactive experiences. Enjoy free family fun days, thought-provoking panels and a diverse lineup of authors, poets and artists at this unmissable literary celebration!

Watch the mighty dragons race across the waters of the River Aire at the Bradford Dragonboat Festival in Roberts Park, Saltaire, on 28th-29th June. This annual event is a fun-filled family festival with attractions for all to enjoy both on the land and the water.

Celebrate Pride on Saturday, 28th June. In a vibrant day of celebration, inclusivity and community spirit, Haworth comes alive with music, performances and live events.

This June the city's stages will be headlined by loads of great shows and concerts. The Bard’s classic Macbeth will be performed in the open air at NT East Riddlesden Hall in Keighley. Mark Simmons will bring comedy to Silsden Town Hall whilst Cheish Merryweather gives a gripping talk on grisly murders at King’s Hall in Ilkley.

Music fans can sail away with a performance from the Captain of the Lost Waves at Black Dyke Mills in Queensbury or enjoy a lively outdoor show at a bandstand concert in Lister Park. Bradford 2025’s New Music Biennial will showcase cutting-edge contemporary music across the district, featuring world premieres and performances from top composers. Meanwhile, King’s Hall will drag you back to the 80s, whilst Bradford Cathedral will present amazing Music from the Movies by Candlelight. You can also discover loads of electrifying performances and excitement with Beyond the Baseline at the Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club.

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Enjoy your time in the Bradford district and don’t forget to tag @visitbradford #VisitBradford in your photos.

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