Local voices take the lead for Bradford 2025’s Heritage open days

Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture is backing a new generation of leaders to strengthen the city’s heritage sector, with an ambitious line-up of free events taking place during this year’s Heritage Open Days (12–21 September 2025).

The programme is being led by Elevate, a collective of 11 independent organisations and creatives, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Designed as a year-round skills development initiative, Elevate aims to build a more confident, collaborative and inclusive heritage sector in Bradford.

Reflecting a bold definition of heritage that goes beyond buildings and archives, the Elevate cohort celebrates lived experiences, community histories and underrepresented voices.

Highlights of Elevate’s Heritage Open Days programme include:

• Black Inventors Travelling Exhibition (12, 13, 15 & 16 September, Bradford City Hall) – An interactive showcase of world-changing inventions created by Black inventors.
• Show & Tell with Apna Heritage (13 September, Feversham Primary Academy) – Families share treasured heirlooms and stories in a South Asian-themed antiques roadshow.
• Saltaire Heritage Open Day with The Saltaire Collection (13 September, Victoria Hall) – Talks and exhibits on the village’s architecture and community history.
• Bradford Unitarians with Ben Stables (13 & 14 September, Unitarian Church) – A weekend exploring over 350 years of Bradford’s Unitarian congregation.

• 

  Rail Story Open Day with Vintage Carriages Trust (13 & 14 September, Ingrow Railway Station) – Family activities, museum tours, storytelling and live performances.

• Sacred Vows and Sacred Spaces with Bradford South Asian Festival (13, 14, 20 September, various locations) – ‘Chai & Chat’ sessions on marriage traditions across faiths.
• Celebration of Black Music – A UK Fusion! (17 September, Bleu Rivera) – A live broadcast event of music and community cohesion.
• Global Dresses of the World with Intercultured Festival (18 September, BIASAN) – A women-only cultural fashion show with stories behind traditional attire.
• Naturally Dyed: A Student Showcase with The Museum at Hanson (19 September, Hanson Academy) – A student-led textiles exhibition inspired by Victorian designs.
• Divided Self with Run of the Mill History (20 September, The 1in12 Club) – Poetry, punk and performance celebrating the life of Willi Beckett.
• Historic Guided Walking Tour with Heritage Hub (20 September, starting at Saltaire United Reformed Church) – A journey through Bradford’s past with Victorian and Edwardian guides.
• Mapping Bradford’s History with Heritage Hub (20 September, South Square Centre) – A talk marking the release of An Historical Map of Bradford.
• Its Wings Are Almost Free and Everything is Connected with Heritage Hub (20 September, South Square Centre) – An exhibition and creative workshops exploring women’s role in post-war religious art.

Elevate participants say the programme has given them invaluable experience. Awais Hussain of Apna Heritage said: “It has been fantastic to connect with others across Bradford’s heritage sector, from artists to archivists, through the Elevate programme. I’m especially excited about our Heritage Open Day Show and Tell event, where we’ll showcase artefacts, invite the community to share stories, and spark intergenerational conversations.”

Ben Stables, who is leading events at Bradford Unitarian Church, added: “The programme has really encouraged me to get involved. Visitors to the modern airy building on Russell Street at the Heritage Open Days will be pleasantly surprised by the deep roots of a group of religious rebels.”

Jane Earnshaw, Executive Producer at Bradford 2025, said: “Bradford’s story has always been shaped by the people who call it home and that’s exactly what the Elevate programme is about. These events show that heritage isn’t just about history, it’s about lived experiences and diverse voices.”

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, commented: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we’re delighted to support the Elevate programme. It’s wonderful to see the cohort put together such a diverse and vibrant programme that represents Bradford so well.”

Information and tickets for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture’s Heritage Open Day events are available on the Bradford 2025 website.

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest community-led festival of history and culture, bringing people together each September to celebrate heritage, community and identity.

Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture is delivered by Bradford Culture Company, with support from HM Government, Bradford Metropolitan District Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund, Spirit of 2012, the British Film Institute, and other trusts, foundations and sponsors.