Forget Glastonbury and mud and think Bradford and Mirror Pool instead – says the priest behind a Christian festival happening in the heart of the city this weekend.

Canon Robin Gamble is expecting up to 2,000 people to turn up to the Festival of the Holy Spirit which kicks off about 2.30pm on Sunday with live music, cafes and children’s activites culiminating in an act of worship at 5pm.

“I don’t think people have grasped how big this is going to be. They think it’s just going to be a few Christians turning up with a guitar but it’s going to be big,” he said.

“It’s a massive project and the act of worship is going to really take off, believe me – it’s going to be breath-taking what will happen,” said Canon Gamble.

People are being invited to bring along a picnic to enjoy with family and friends before the start of the service which will include some baptism renewals.

“Forget Glastonbury and mud, that’s a thing of the past. Think Bradford and Mirror Pool instead. For live music we’ll have everything from rock to jazz and gospel to choirs – it’s going to be a festival of the Holy Spirit,” he added.

Canon Gamble decided to organise the one-day event after Bradford Council invited community groups to use it as a venue.

He said: “In recent years the Christian presence had disappeared in the city centre so we’re bringing it back.”