Bradford City of Culture lives on

The outdoor space at the entrance to Bradford's new arts venue, the Loading Bay. Pic: Tom Arber

Plans have been put in place to build on the momentum of the recently-ended and successful Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture year.

Bradford Culture Company - the independent charity set up to deliver the City of Culture year - is continuing as a smaller operation, and with local and national partners will create opportunities for local artists and cultural organisations, reinstate a volunteering programme and widen local access to culture and creativity.

A key element will be the reopening of Loading Bay this May. The company transformed the former warehouse into an arts venue and theatre last year, the result being one of the festival year's standout successes. The multi-storey venue hosted exhibitions, theatre, international dance, live music and supper clubs as well as cabarets and comedy nights, and welcomed over 40,000 people.

The Beacon, a temporary, community-focused venue, is expected to return in summer 2026 with a programme created with local people.

Bradford 2025's moveable arts venue, the Beacon, which was seen in four Bradford parks in 2025 and is likely to be used again this year. Pic: Patrycja Maziarz

Bradford Culture Company's volunteer programme will also continue, creating opportunities for local people to act as Bradford ambassadors and help deliver events behind the scenes.

Alongside these confirmed plans, BCC will be raising money to grow the programme, creating more opportunities for local artists and people of all ages.

Dan Bates and Shanaz Gulzar - executive director and creative director respectively of Bradford Culture Company - said: “UK City of Culture was transformational for Bradford. It strengthened our cultural sector, got people involved in arts and creativity, increased investment and tourism and most importantly grew pride in our district and brought people together. We’re excited to harness the energy of what was created and ensure that Bradford continues to be shaped by arts and culture."

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "2025 was a spectacular year for Bradford - this is clear from the sheer number of people who got involved. It's fantastic that some of last year's new venues will continue to delight audiences from across Bradford and beyond."

:: Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture welcomed more than 3million people to its events last year, with audiences coming from all 30 wards as well as from across the UK and rest of the world.

More info here