Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture will get off to a magical start with a major show by internationally renowned magician Dynamo.
The Bradford-born star heads a diverse programme of artists and creatives coming together to celebrate the city’s year in the national spotlight.
Events will kick off in January and run right throughout the year, concluding in December.
The announcement of Dynamo’s appearance was made by GP and broadcaster Dr Amir Khan, and BBC New Voices presenter Irene Kaali – hosts of a special celebration at Bradford’s St George’s Hall to announce the exciting programme of events.
Dynamo’s show RISE will be hosted in City Park and Centenary Square on 10 and 11 January. It’s described as ‘an unmissable celebration of the people and communities who make Bradford magic.’
In a video link played to representative from across the region at the event Dynamo, whose real name is Steven Frame, said: “So 2025 is going to be a phenomenal year for Bradford and, you know what, I’ll let you in on a secret.
“To start the year off right, I’ve been helping director Kirsty Housley create an opening extravaganza. I can’t tell you much about it but you know what, I’m involved – so you know it’s going to be half decent.
“Anyway, Bradford Capital of Culture 2025 – let’s go.”
Other highlights for the year include:
- A performance of the classic film The Railway Children on the platform at Oxenhope Station;
- Turner Prize – the annual Turner Prize showcases and celebrates the most exciting new developments in British art. In the year the UK celebrates the 250th anniversary of JMW Turner’s birth, the Turner Prize heads to Bradford. In Spring the names of the shortlisted artists will be announced and then in Autumn their work will be presented at Cartwright Hall;
- Ice Age Art Now – a unique exhibition collaboration between The British Museum and Cliffe Castle Museum;
- Big Brass Blowout featuring the Black Dyke Band and special guests;
- Earth & Sky – a mix of music and song performed by Opera North;
- Sing, Dance. Leap – a major 4-year schools programme to inspire the creativity of young people across Bradford. Led by the Royal Ballet and Opera, with Northern Ballet and Opera North, the programme launches in schools this month leading up to a mass singing and dancing celebration in June 2025.
- Punjabi Roots Academy offering a wide range of Indian creative arts and music workshops along with professional performances.
Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of Bradford 2025 and an acclaimed artist, producer, and presenter, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be announcing the programme and share what we’ve been developing with artists based locally, nationally, and internationally to deliver an incredibly rich and diverse agenda with something for everyone.
“There have been so many positive experiences with partners who want to be part of this moment of change for Bradford, this moment of celebration – because it’s about our history, our heritage, but it’s about our present and our future as well.”
Richard Dunbar, Audience Engagement Adviser for Bradford 2025 said: “This evening means Bradford believing in itself and confirming it’s ready to show the world what it’s about with a programme of exciting events spanning the entire community from BD1 to BD24.
“This programme has been built on the thoughts and ideas of people from across Bradford
and so it’s a great opportunity to bring the different communities and ethnicities together. It wasn’t a case of this being developed by a couple of people in a dark room. We consulted with tens of thousands of people across the district to come up with a programme which involves everyone.
All the events are representative of the diverse communities, because they’ve told us what they want., and we’ve reflected that in the programme.
“We’re extremely proud to know that 150 different languages are spoken in this wonderful city, showing just how diverse we are. People who perhaps don’t get a voice or representation will certainly get that in 2025.”
Members of the audience at the launch event were looking forward to the year ahead.
Hamera Bano, who runs a healthcare company in the city commented: The City of Culture is an amazing experience and something that Bradford should be rightly proud of.
“It’s a great opportunity to bring the different ethnicities and communities together, and I’m extremely excited to be part of it.”
Landscape architect Saira Ali added: I work for the local authority and do a lot of engagement with local communities. The City of Culture project has played a great part in bringing them together to give them a clear understanding of what the city offers and make them proud of where they live.
“It’s a very exciting programme of events which I’m looking forward and which will definitely promote the city and help put it on the map as an exciting and diverse place to live.”
It’s more than two years since the city and district won the title, beating County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough to the crown on 31 May, 2022.
