Bradford’s UK City of Culture Year to Conclude with Community Event

Hundreds of local residents to participate in Brighter Still finale

The closing event for Bradford’s year as the UK City of Culture will feature hundreds of local residents in a community-centred performance titled Brighter Still. The event is scheduled to take place at Myrtle Park in Bingley on the evenings of Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December 2025, coinciding with the winter solstice.

Event details and ticket information

Brighter Still is designed as a showcase of Bradford’s diverse communities, cultures, and stories. Additional tickets for both performances will be available from 12pm on Monday 1 December. Tickets are priced at £2, with free entry for under 16s and over 60s. They can be purchased online at bradford2025.co.uk, by phone on 01274 053100 (available 12pm–4pm, Monday to Friday), or in person at the Ticket + Info Hub in Centenary Square, Bradford.

Community involvement and performance highlights

The event will include over 250 local performers, with a community cast of 90 Bradford residents aged between 8 and 76. Approximately 35% of the performers are children and young people, reflecting Bradford’s youthful population, where over a quarter of residents are under 20 years old.

Participants include members of local dance groups such as Stage 84 (Yorkshire School of Performing Arts), Freestyle Fanatics, X-Plosion (a bhangra group from women’s fitness club ClubEkta), and the Bradford Bulls cheerleading squad Luvabulls. The performance will feature a range of artistic expressions including BMX riding, bhangra, bassline music, gospel choirs, folk songs, poetry, and cheerleading.

The community cast will not only perform movement and dance but also contribute to co-creating and narrating the show, which draws on the life experiences of Bradford’s people and communities.

Creative team and production

The production is led by director Emily Lim and co-director/choreographer Dan Canham. The text is written by Bradford-born writer Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan. Stage and set design is by Mydd Pharo, with music composed by Benji Bower and Warren “Flamin Beatz” Morgan-Humphreys.

Community perspectives

• Muhammad Isa Jahangir, 14: “It’s a great opportunity for me to express my passion for Bradford, and it’s the very last event which is very cool! I have always enjoyed movement and dance, it lets me release all my energy (AND I love the spotlight)! I have been coming to a lot of the city of culture events which made me want to join in and take part.”
• Stephanie Laycock: “I came to see Rise and thought it was a brilliant way to kick off Bradford 2025. I want to see people of all ages come together and support Bradford for the closing event, being part of an immersive night that all can enjoy. I’m delighted that the final celebration will be held in my home town of Bingley. This is something that will stay with the city for years to come.”
• Gavin Wood: “I’ve never had the opportunity to do anything like this, but really enjoy theatre, dance, and musicals. I find myself looking on enviously at the performers and the amazing things they do, and think ‘I’d love to do that!’ I’m Bradford born and bred, and incredibly proud of my roots; it’s a beautiful place to live, and I feel like the City of Culture is helping the city turn its narrative around towards a more positive outlook – to be a part of that will be very fulfilling.”

Final reflections

Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, stated that the year has been powered by Bradford’s people, with communities across the district participating in performances, events, workshops, and sharing their creativity. The Brighter Still finale aims to place local people at the centre of the celebrations, reflecting Bradford’s heritage and looking towards the future.

Source: Bradford 2025 official website