This weekend, businesses based on Leeds Road in Bradford will take centre stage as the first ever Leeds Road Festival brings together food, fashion, culture, and community for a celebration of one of the city’s most vibrant streets.
Running from Friday 29 August to Sunday 31 August, the festival promises a cultural extravaganza for residents and visitors alike, with live music, art exhibitions, community events, performances, and markets across the area, with celebrations also extending to Attock Park and Bradford Moor Park. A highlight of the weekend will be a performance by legendary Pakistani folk singer, Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi, on Sunday.
Saleem Akhtar, co-founder of the festival and owner of Jinnah Restaurants, said: “The number of organisations, large and small, who have offered their support to the inaugural Leeds Road Festival has been fantastic to see.
From the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to local businesses of all sizes, including sole traders and makers, there’s been a real sense of collaboration. It is a sense of coming togetherness that underpins what our area is all about.
“Leeds Road is a place full of energy, diversity, and entrepreneurial spirit, and this festival is our chance to celebrate the heart and soul of Bradford. We hope it becomes an annual highlight for the city, and I’d like to thank each of our sponsors for their unwavering support.”
Susan Godbold, head of customer voice at Incommunities said, “Leeds Road is one of the most vibrant streets in Bradford. It’s fantastic that this festival allows the area to shine and really celebrate the community and culture through everyone getting together and enjoying fantastic food, music and entertainment. We’ll be there over the weekend with lots of fun activities, games, and prizedraws.”
West Yorkshire Combined Authority and charitable organisations such as The Leap are also lending their support to the event, with their deep expertise in community-led culture.
The festival weekend kicks off with a launch dinner at Jinnah Restaurant’s marquee on Friday, before a full programme of events across Leeds Road. Visitors can experience world-class South-Asian cuisine from eateries such Akbar’s and Starbake Patisserie or visit world-renowned tailors like Shree Hari and Gulshan.
Fatima Khalid, UK Programmes Officer at Muslim Aid, added: “Muslim Aid is sponsoring Leeds Road Festival to show our support for the UK’s city of culture. It’s right here in Bradford that this year we chose to launch Step In, our unique charity intervention building confidence, inspiring self-belief, and empowering young people to become positive role models within their communities.
“Anyone coming to the festival this weekend will have every opportunity to find out more and support great causes like this, as well as enjoying all that the festival has to offer.”
With so much on offer, Leeds Road promises a weekend full of discovery, celebration, and the unique energy that makes this part of Bradford truly special. Saleem Akhtar concluded: “This is a weekend for everyone, and I hope it will be a celebration of culture and more importantly, community. Leeds Road is a place where people come together, and this festival is a reflection of that spirit.”
For more information and a full programme of events, visit: https://www.leedsroadfestival.co.uk/
