Bradford’s freshest outdoor food and drink festival – Taste:BD takes over City Park

Taking place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April of the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, the festival promises to be a lively celebration of local culture, featuring the very best of the district’s food, drink and entertainment scenes.

The festival will be held in the multi-award-winning City Park and Centenary Square.

City Park’s mirror pool will be the main festival site and the heart of the action, featuring mouth-watering food stalls, crafty markets, up-beat, family-friendly live entertainment and a kid-friendly area jam-packed full of activities to keep the little ones buzzing.

The site will be transformed into a beautiful, vibrant and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy, with newly rejuvenated carnival floats from Bradford’s proud festival heritage serving as giant centrepieces to the festival.

Meanwhile, Centenary Square will play host to some of the best bars, brewers and beverage wizards in the district, with live DJ sets running later into the evening.

The City Park side of the festival will be running from 12 noon to 6pm on the Saturday, and from 11am to 6pm on the Sunday, with the bar section of the festival in Centenary Square staying open until 10pm on both days.

Taste:BD will play host to a wide array of local, independent businesses who have partnered to bring the festivities to life. From local legends to some of the most exciting new enterprises in the district.

Talented independent market traders, culinary creatives and artisans will cement the community-led focus of the festival. Expect to indulge in a wide selection of delicious street food, arts and crafts and a fresh and heavenly range of drinks, all coming together to showcase some of Bradford’s most exciting businesses in one vibrant celebration.

With over 40+ food, drink and craft partners on board, there promises to be something for everyone to enjoy.

Of course, the festival wouldn’t be complete without entertainment – and there will be plenty of that. From live painting to street games, stilt walkers to music performances, walkabout theatrics to free face painting and henna tattoos.

Taste:BD is being organised by Raven Staging in partnership with Bradford Council.

Nicola Greenan, Strategic lead for City of Culture, Policy and Events from Bradford Council, said: “We’re really excited to be hosting Taste:BD for the first time and welcoming people from near and far to experience this cultural celebration. Most of the food and drink vendors are from either the Bradford district or surrounding areas. We’re so looking forward to showcasing the culinary delights Yorkshire has to offer. With the Super Soapbox Challenge also happening in the city centre on Sunday 30 April, the weekend promises to be one not to be missed.”

Eddie Kean, Director of Raven Staging/Event Manager for Taste:BD, said: “I’m very proud to have a hand in bringing such an excellent group of local businesses together. My hope is that Taste:BD serves as a spark for continued culinary celebrations and provides a shared sense of pride across the district. We can’t wait to welcome everyone down.”