Put on your woolly hats and get ready to explore what the Bradford district has to offer this festive season.
Whether you’re already full of festivity, or need a bit of a helping hand to get into the swing of things, a day out with family or friends at one of these fabulous attractions is bound to do the trick.
Bradford Science and Media Museum
Get into the Christmas spirit at Bradford’s very own science and media museum, located in the city centre. Whilst it houses some fantastic exhibitions, it is also home to an IMAX cinema which happens to be showing Christmas favourite, The Polar Express from December 18 – 23rd.
Admission into the museum is free, but tickets must be booked online.
IMAX tickets are available for an additional cost.
Click here to visit their website
Bolling Hall
Visit one of Bradford’s most historic buildings dating all the way back to the medieval period.
Situated just a mile from Bradford city centre and situated in a quiet, leafy garden, Bolling Hall was for many years the seat of two important land-owning families, the Bollings and the Tempests.
Rooms are furnished and decorated to give an accurate taste of life at different periods of the house's history, and the fascinating furniture on display includes a superb bed made for Harewood House by Thomas Chippendale.
Spend some time exploring a different side of Bradford's heritage - but watch out for an appearance by the 'White Lady' in the Ghost Room!
Click here to visit their website
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East Riddlesden Hall
Fun for all the family at this stunning National Trust property in Keighley.
Explore the intimate 17th-century manor house, which was once at the heart of the agricultural estate of Riddlesden, or if you fancy, find out about the history on a guided tour of the house.
Brave the chilly northern weather and take a stroll around the beautiful gardens that have been described as a hidden oasis on the edge of a West Yorkshire town’
Perfect for the little ones too, as they can join in the fun with Percy the Park Keeper's and his animal friends and give nature a helping hand on the Winter wander trail. Follow the trail around the garden, look for wildlife along the way.
The trail will take place on open weekends during December and January (closed on 25 and 26 December and 8 and 9 January) so come along and explore the beautiful gardens of East Riddlesden Hall.
Click here for more info
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
Experience the magic of Christmas at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, with a ride on the Elf express.
Departing from Oxenhope, you will be given a golden ticket by the elves, which is your very own passport to Kringle Town’s Winter Wonderland. You’ll steam through the Worth Valley as you pass festive stations on your way to meet the man himself.
Or take a trip on the ‘mulled wine special’, a new tradition for 2021.
Slow down and take a moment to enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle that December brings as you steam through the valley from Oxenhope to Keighley and back.
The train will slow down as it passes historic stations through a mesmerising tunnel of lights along the way. At Keighley Station, the train will stop, mulled wine and mince pies will be served while you can enjoy festive music.
Click here for more info
Bronte Parsonage Museum - Haworth
Take a trip down memory lane at historic Haworth.
The cobbled streets take you back in time as you reimagine what life was like 200 years ago when the Bronte sisters wrote some of their most famous works.
The Brontë collections at the Brontë Parsonage Museum are the largest and most important in the world and continue to inspire scholars, writers, and artists.
Until January 1st, the museum is showcasing an exhibition on the life of Anne Bronte, the youngest member of the Brontë literary family and whose work has had much less exploration than those of her sisters.
Click here for more info
Bradford Cathedral
Bradford Cathedral is holding many events this Christmas period, and will be taking on The Church of England’s 2021 theme of 'At the heart of Christmas'.
- December 19 - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Nine Lessons and Carols service - a traditional Christmas service of Biblical readings, choir, and congregational choirs.
- December 20 - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Join for the Annual City Carol Service with the Lord Mayor, Lord Lieutenant, and other civic dignitaries.This service is led by the organ and choir of Bradford Cathedral and the City of Bradford Brass Band.
- December 24 - 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - The cathedral choir presents its annual Christmas Eve recital. Music, poetry, witty Christmas stories, and the best-loved Christmas carols come together in this yearly sing-a-long celebration
- December 24 - 4:00pm - 5:00pm - Annual Crib Service for families.
We will be telling the Christmas story and celebrating this special time through music, crafts, drama, food, fun, and togetherness.Why not come along dressed as your favourite person or animal from the Nativity story. - December 24 – 11 pm - The First Communion of Christmas - Canon Robin Gamble is the preacher and the music is by the Cathedral choir with a number of congregational carols.
- Saturday, 25 December 2021 - 10:30 am - 11:30 am - The main Cathedral weekly worship using Common Worship, in the Cathedral and broadcast on YouTube. Bishop Nick, the Bishop of Leeds, will preside and preach.
To book your seat or find out how to stream the services online click here
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