Bradford Heritage Festival 2026

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  • Sepia-toned historic photograph of Keighley Library in the 1950s. The large stone civic building stands on a street corner, featuring decorative Victorian architecture, arched entrances, and rows of diamond-shaped windows. A Union flag flies from the roof, while pedestrians walk along the pavements and cross the road in front of the library. Mature trees frame the scene, and road markings, traffic islands, and vintage street furniture reflect the mid-twentieth-century urban setting.

    A History of Keighley Library (Presentation)

    Keighley Local Studies Library, Keighley Library, North Street, Keighley, BD21 3SX

    An illustrated talk on the history of Keighley Library, the first Andrew Carnegie financed library in England, which opened in 1904 – taking place in the library itself. Free event, […]

    Free
  • Illustrated poster promoting the Bradford Heritage Festival, organised by Bradford Heritage Connection. The design features stylised landmarks and symbols associated with Bradford’s history, including a tall Victorian clock tower, a domed building, a vintage bus, a textile wool skein, an industrial mill chimney, and an ink bottle with a quill pen. The artwork uses a palette of blues, oranges, and golds, with the text “Bradford Heritage Festival” prominently displayed in the centre and the festival dates, “13–19 July 2026,” shown at the bottom right. The background includes rolling hills and industrial silhouettes, reflecting Bradford’s cultural and industrial heritage.

    The Community Cookbook

    Bradford Local Studies Library, Margaret McMillan Tower, BD1 1NN

    Join us for a special celebration as we launch The Community Cookbook — a heart‑warming collection of recipes. Enjoy an afternoon of stories, community spirit and a talk from The Cinderella Club, […]

    Free
  • Historic black-and-white photograph of a textile spinning lecture room dating from 1911. Long wooden benches and tables fill the classroom, covered with open books, teaching materials, and samples of fibres and yarn. At the front of the room, a large chalkboard displays illustrations and labels for textile fibres including wool, cotton, flax, and silk. Educational diagrams, machinery models, and framed images are mounted on the walls, reflecting the technical and vocational focus of early twentieth-century textile education. A caption beneath the photograph reads: “New Textile Department – Spinning Lecture Room.”

    Classrooms & Communities: Bradford’s Education Journey

    Mechanics Institute Festival Hub

    Step back into the buzz of the classroom, the thrill of student societies, and the proud legacy of Bradford’s educational pioneers. Drop in to a day shaped by archives, small […]

    Free
  • The image shows a to scale model of Bradford Cathedral

    Modelling the Catherdral – Tour

    Bradford Cathedral 1 Stott Hill, Bradford

    Guided tour of the Cathedral’s fascinating architecture, including Saxon stone fragments, the medieval elements of the current building, Victorian changes and mid-20th century extensions by renowned architect Sir Edward Maufe. The […]

    £7.00
  • Two performers in Victorian costume posing in a churchyard in Haworth, with gravestones and a church tower visible in the background. One wears a black top hat and dark coat, while the other wears a white bonnet and green shawl.

    A Saunter Round the Sights (and a Canter up the Cobbles)

    Bronte Parsonage Bronte Parsonage Museum, Church Street, Haworth

    The year is 1848. Join Tabbitha Ackroyd (Bronte servant and confidante) and John Brown (grave digger and tippler) for their tour of Haworth. See the sights and get the gossip. […]

    Free
  • Close-up photograph of a stained-glass window panel featuring a small wren perched beside a spider’s web with a tiny spider. The bird is illustrated in fine black linework with subtle brown and yellow colouring. The central diamond-shaped panel is bordered by blue, green, and yellow geometric stained-glass pieces, with raindrops visible on the glass and a blurred outdoor landscape in the background. The image highlights the delicate craftsmanship and nature-inspired design of the stained glass.

    Exploring Traditional Stained Glass Painting

    Studio 1, South Square Centre, Thornton, BD13 3LD

    Both dates are now sold out – Thank you. This event is now happening the 15th and 16th of July at 1pm. Join us for a hands on workshop which […]

    £75
  • Two performers in Victorian costume posing in a churchyard in Haworth, with gravestones and a church tower visible in the background. One wears a black top hat and dark coat, while the other wears a white bonnet and green shawl.

    A Saunter Round the Sights (and a Canter up the Cobbles)

    Bronte Parsonage Bronte Parsonage Museum, Church Street, Haworth

    The year is 1848. Join Tabbitha Ackroyd (Bronte servant and confidante) and John Brown (grave digger and tippler) for their tour of Haworth. See the sights and get the gossip. […]

    Free
  • Photograph of an older man seated in a pub, singing while playing an acoustic guitar. He wears a light denim shirt over a T-shirt and sits at a wooden table with a glass of drink in front of him. Other musicians holding stringed instruments are partially visible around him, suggesting an informal folk music session. The pub interior features patterned seating, orange walls, a potted plant on the windowsill, and a frosted window in the background. The image captures a relaxed community music gathering.

    Topic Folk Club: singers, musicians & performers evening

    The Castle, 20 Grattan Road Bradford BD1 2LU

    TOPIC FOLK CLUB – SINGERS. MUSICIANS & PERFORMERS EVENING. The Castle, 20 Grattan Road, Bradford Thursday 16 July . Doors 7pm, start 7.30pm No Booking needed. The Topic are a […]

    Free
  • Illustrated poster promoting the Bradford Heritage Festival, organised by Bradford Heritage Connection. The design features stylised landmarks and symbols associated with Bradford’s history, including a tall Victorian clock tower, a domed building, a vintage bus, a textile wool skein, an industrial mill chimney, and an ink bottle with a quill pen. The artwork uses a palette of blues, oranges, and golds, with the text “Bradford Heritage Festival” prominently displayed in the centre and the festival dates, “13–19 July 2026,” shown at the bottom right. The background includes rolling hills and industrial silhouettes, reflecting Bradford’s cultural and industrial heritage.

    Story Quest

    Forster Square Train Station

    Benny’s Big Bradford Adventure is a one hour story trail around Bradford City Centre starting at Forster Square Station and ending at City Library. Can you and the family help […]

    Free
  • Photograph of a traditional dry stone wall constructed from stacked flat stones without mortar. In the centre of the wall is a rectangular section of finer stonework, suggesting a repaired area or infilled opening. Wildflowers and grasses grow at the base of the wall, while the roofs and upper walls of nearby stone buildings are visible behind it. The image highlights the craftsmanship and texture of traditional dry stone walling in a rural setting.

    Heritage at St Ives: Dry Stone Walling Demo

    St Ives, BD16 1AT

    Apologies! this event is cancelled but please look for it in the September Heritage Open Days programme at other venuesSee local dry stone walling volunteers repair a section of heritage […]

    Free