The closing event of Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture will star hundreds of Bradford residents in a powerful showcase of community, creativity and togetherness.
Brighter Still will take place at sunset on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December, the two longest nights of the year, at Myrtle Park in Bingley.
It will shine a renewed light on Bradford’s people, stories and culture, and celebrate the end of the year by marking the winter solstice as a moment of hope and new beginnings.
Additional tickets for both performances are due to go on sale at 12pm on Monday 1 December, priced at £2 and free for under 16s and over 60s.
From BMX riders to bhangra and bassline, from gospel choirs to folk song, and from poetry to pompoms, the finale of Bradford 2025 is an invitation to audiences and participants alike to celebrate the end of the year together.
Locally based dance groups joining 9 professional dancers on stage include young people from Stage 84 (Yorkshire School of Performing Arts), Freestyle Fanatics and X-Plosion, a bhangra group from women’s fitness club Club Ekta, and members of the Bradford Bulls cheerleading squad Luvabulls.
The event will be one of the largest community participation events in the programme, featuring more than 250 local performers in total, with a community cast of 90 Bradford residents aged from 8 to 76 joining forces with dancers, musicians and choirs. 35% of performers are children and young people, reflecting the youthful population of Bradford, where more than a quarter of residents are aged under 20.
As well as performing movement and dance, the community cast play an active role in co-creating and narrating the show, weaving a tapestry of stories rooted in the life experiences of Bradford’s people and communities.
Brighter Still
WHEN: Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December, 4pm
WHERE: Myrtle Park, Bingley, Bradford District, BD16 2LQ
PRICE: Tickets £2, Under 16s, Over 60s and Youth Pass members free – Final tickets release date – 1st December
LINK: bradford2025.co.uk/event/brighter-still/
