What's On In June

As summer begins, Bradford will be buzzing this June with smashing events to help you make the most of the wonderful weather and the district’s stunning attractions and outdoor spaces. Here’s just a taste of the fabulous fun you can enjoy this month.

Celebrate Museum Week, running from 1^st –7^th June, with a week‑long spotlight on Bradford’s incredible museums, galleries, and cultural spaces. As you explore, you’ll encounter craftsmanship and traditional skills brought to life in Made by Many Hands at Bradford Industrial Museum, the delicate world of pressed orchids and the collectors who preserved them in Lady’s Slipper and Bees at Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley, and the sparkle, staging, and cultural impact of Europe’s biggest music event in Setting the Stage: 70 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford — all alongside family‑friendly days out, creative activities, and inspiring heritage experiences across the district.

Discover the work of talented local artists as they open their studios and display spaces along the Thornton Art Trail on 6th & 7th June. Wander through the village at your own pace, step inside working studios, and enjoy a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at how each artist creates their work. From painting and printmaking to ceramics, textiles and mixed‑media pieces, the trail offers a brilliant snapshot of Thornton’s creative community. Meet the makers, chat about their processes, and pick up unique pieces you won’t find anywhere else.

Catch all the action at the Lexus Ilkley Open Tennis Tournament at Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club from 7^th –14^th June — eight days of gripping tennis from first serve to match point. Enjoy courtside thrills, family‑friendly viewing areas, great food and drink, and a buzzing atmosphere across the club grounds. Whether you’re a tennis fan or simply love a lively summer day out, it’s a fantastic highlight on the June calendar.

And off court, the Beyond the Baseline programme brings major names to Ilkley, including Lightning Seeds, The Farm, Craig Charles Funk & Soul House Party, The Beatles Dub Club, Marvin Humes, Noughties Baby, Tinchy Stryder, Ibiza in Symphony, and The Stickmen Project, plus evening acts such as The Bay City Rollers, One Night in Nashville, and Ellie Sax.

Celebrate Pride Month with loud and proud events across the district — a full month of colour, community, and celebration. Expect live performances, family‑friendly activities, vibrant community groups, all wrapped in an atmosphere that champions inclusion and joy.

Get covered in colour at Keighley’s annual PaintRush on Sunday 14^th June — a vibrant charity race where you’re showered in paint as you take on the three‑lap course, with music, warm‑up sessions, family‑friendly fun, and a festival‑style atmosphere that turns every stride into a burst of colour and celebration.

Let Ilkley tickle your tastebuds on 15^th –16^th June at the Ilkley Food & Drink Festival, where artisan flavours, global cuisine, chef demonstrations, sweet treats, live entertainment, family‑friendly activities, and a vibrant riverside atmosphere transform East Holmes Fields into a full weekend celebration of food and flavour.

Cheer on your team at the Bradford Live World Cup Fan Park, running from 17th June on various dates, bringing big‑screen excitement, match‑day atmosphere, live commentary, food and drink, family‑friendly zones, and all the tension and celebration of tournament football right into the heart of the city — the perfect place to experience every goal, every roar, and every unforgettable moment together.

Spot unique locomotives at the Diesel Gala on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway from 18^th-21^st June, where guest engines join the home fleet for a long weekend of heritage rail, intensive timetables, lineside action, and rare traction out on the branch. The railway also hosts Vintage Trains weekends, offering beautifully restored steam locomotives, period carriages, and nostalgic journeys that capture the golden age of rail travel in full steam‑and‑brass style.

June also kicks off a packed season of theatre across the district. Desperate Scousewives and Ruby Wax bring big personalities to St George’s Hall in Bradford, Boxed In delights families at Bingley Arts Centre, Rich Hall brings his trademark wit to King’s Hall in Ilkley, and Ilkley Playhouse presents a fresh production of Teechers.

Enjoy sensational live music throughout June. Her Orange Coat + Warm Parts perform at Bingley Arts Centre, Bradford Cathedral hosts In a Summer Garden – Delius in France, and Nightrain presents a special tribute night featuring a War of the Worlds‑inspired set from Tin Man. Folk favourites Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman take the stage at Loading Bay in Bradford, while Tapestry Arts in Tong brings back the ever‑popular Mamma Mania ABBA tribute.

Why not try something new this month with Make It Bradford, the district’s hub of creative workshops, hands‑on sessions and unique local experiences. From craft classes and artist‑led workshops to heritage skills and imaginative taster sessions, it’s the perfect way to discover Bradford’s inventive side and make something of your own. Explore the full range of experiences and find inspiration for your next creative day out.