Circus fun, shows and ‘pop-karaoke-parade party’ planned for Bradford festival

World-class performers, theater and pop-karaoke-parade-come-party are on the BD:Festival schedule this summer.

Taking place on July 26 and 27, the festival offers a range of free and ticketed shows and events for people of all ages.

BD: The festival, produced by Bradford Council, hopes to build anticipation for 2025 – the year Bradford celebrates its UK City of Culture status.

From catwalk and circus fun to immersing yourself in a 1980s video game, festival organizers have promised “world-class cultural experiences”.

Festival highlights include Perceptions by Compagnie Bivouac, an extraordinary circus experience performed in a giant aerial structure.

Perceptions de Compagnie Bivouac, an extraordinary circus experience, realized in a huge aerial structure. (Image: Via Bradford Council)

ARCADE by DARKFIELD is an interactive audio and sensory experience set in the nostalgic aesthetic of 1980s video games.

SMOOSH! by Paraorchestra, presented in partnership with Bradford 2025, is a high-energy parade where musicians, dancers and performers form a mobile human jukebox.

Punjabi Roots will perform with Band Baja, dhol players and Bhangra dancers.

SMOOSH! by the Paraorchestra, presented in partnership with Bradford 2025, is a high-energy parade (Image: Via Bradford Council)

Meanwhile, a live show, Catwalk by Zwermers, will explore themes of consumerism, fast fashion, gender fluidity, cultural identity, conformity and individuality.

You can also enjoy a cup of tea from a beautiful hand-painted tuk tuk as you glide through an audio journey of tea and how it goes into our teapots. This event, called TEABREAK, is hosted by Trigger.

A Sound de Secà show (Image: Via Bradford Council)

SOUND DE SECÀ will bring a unique theater, dance and music experience to the city, combining percussion, energetic choreography and captivating rhythms.

Queenie and the Pooka by Spin Arts is a children’s play that tells the story of a girl Traveler with big dreams and a mischievous shape-shifting Pooka. A Pooka is a goblin or specter held in Irish folklore.

Example of an event in a previous BD: Festival (Image: Andy Garbutt)

Edible Archives’ Drinking St George’s Hall, in collaboration with the Cultures collective and Bradford Sound Artists, will celebrate the live music heritage of the iconic Bradford venue – combining music and oral histories with specially flavored drinks.

What to expect at BD: Festival (Image: Via Bradford Council)

Where the Souls Go, a brand new play by Displace Yourself Theater and supported by the 4 Nations Scholarship Project, is a visually fabulous journey with delightful otherworldly characters.

Families with young children can also enjoy live storytelling and free book giveaways with The Bradford Stories Bus from the National Literacy Trust.

There will also be a relaxed play area with 50 things to do before turning five for the big bubble game and more.

What happened at last year’s BD:Festival (Image: Andy Garbutt)

Councilor Sarah Ferriby, Executive Member of Bradford Council for Healthy People and Places, said: “BD: The Festival is a great example of our ambitions, our energy and our dedication to bringing world-class cultural experiences to the people of Bradford Borough and not only that, while also showing the world the investment opportunities and regeneration plans offered here.

“Families from across the borough and beyond had a great time at last year’s BD: Colorful Festival and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to the city center to enjoy this two-day event. “

Dan Bates, chief executive of Bradford 2025, said he “can’t wait to see City Park come alive with a pop-karaoke-parade-come-tech party”.