About

The Bradford Progress celebrates the rich variety of music created in Bradford and the people behind it. A collaboration between Paraorchestra, Charles Hazlewood, Jeremy Deller, and the people of Bradford District, this vibrant musical journey brings performances, concerts, and spontaneous happenings to parks, mills, malls, boats, buses, trains, and more—all free and ticket-free.

The journey begins at Cow & Calf Rocks in Ilkley at dawn on Saturday, 17 May 2025, traveling across the district before culminating in City Park, Bradford, on Sunday, 18 May 2025. Along the way, musicians of every style and ensembles of every size will perform without pause in unexpected locations. Whether it's Qawwali on a bandstand, jazz on a canalboat, Bhangra and brass bands marching through the streets, or something entirely unexpected, The Bradford Progress promises a celebration of music and community.

Event Listings – The Bradford Progress
Saturday, 17 May 2025
Cow & Calf – First light, first note: Paraorchestra and Commoners Choir gather on Ilkley Moor to kick off The Bradford Progress.

Leeds & Liverpool Canal – The Bradford Progress takes to the water for a slow-moving musical journey.

Roberts Park – A free musical celebration in Saltaire.

Bradford Industrial Museum – Singer Jennifer Reid leads a surprising musical happening.

Undercliffe Cemetery – A reflective collaboration between Eeshar Singh and Gilank to close the first day.

Sunday, 18 May 2025
Undercliffe to The Broadway – The Bradford Progress marches through the streets into the heart of the city.

The Broadway – Experience the orchestra from the inside out in the unlikely surroundings of The Broadway shopping centre.

The Broadway to the Mirror Pool – The journey concludes with a major musical moment in City Park, Bradford.

>> Explore more events in the UK City of Culture as part of the #Bradford2025 celebration.