Bradford light festival attracts thousands to city centre

BD: is LIT - which took place on Friday and Saturday - saw 25 light-based art installations illuminate areas of the city centre, from City Park to the Oastler Shopping Centre. 

The festival, organised by Bradford Council, was seen as one of the key events ahead of City of Culture 2025.

There were spectacular scenes in the city centre (Image: Anna Dyson-Clarke, T&A Camera Club member)

Councillor Si Cunningham, who is looking after City of Culture on behalf of the authority, said: "It's been a triumphant weekend for culture in Bradford.

"The BD: is LIT light festival brought thousands of people and families into the city centre on Friday and Saturday evening, and I know from chatting to a few businesses that they've been busier as a result.

"We also had a sold-out homecoming gig for Terrorvision at St George's Hall and a packed house at the Alhambra too, so the atmosphere in town has been great, and provided a flavour of what's to come during Bradford's year as UK City of Culture."

Thousands of people turned out for the festival (Image: Tom Marshall, T&A Camera Club member)

He added: "It's important that councils can still deliver these popular events.

"It's a great boost for the local economy, shows external partners and investors that we're serious about growing the city, plus provides fantastic, free entertainment for scores of hard-working Bradfordians.

People got to see Bradford in a new light - quite literally (Image: Paul Dalton, T&A Camera Club member)

"I thank all those who've put the effort into making it such a success.

"There will be much more to come."

It was the second BD: is LIT event, with the first in 2021 attracting around 20,000 people to the city centre over two days (Image: Beverley Thornton, T&A Camera Club)

Some of the main attractions as part of BD: is Lit included the Colour Project's Luminarium, which saw moving images projected on the outside of the Grade I-listed Bradford City Hall.

Glowing sheep could be found grazing in City Park, while giant bubbles dominated the mirror pool.

Installations reflecting Bradford's industrial heritage and Asian art were also dotted around the city centre, with light-up characters passing through the crowds.

It was a key event ahead of Bradford being City of Culture 2025 (Image: Beverley Thornton, T&A Camera Club)

Jenny Harris, head of producing at Bradford 2025, described BD: is LIT as a "really big success".

Thank you to everyone who sent us such lovely pictures (Image: David Enyori)

"People from all over West Yorkshire turned out for this wonderful, magical festival and we got some great feedback," she added.

"A lot of people enjoyed seeing the city, its buildings and its spaces in a new light - quite literally.

"It also helped to boost plenty of businesses which is really important to us.

"Thank you to everyone involved in making this such a special spectacle."