BD: Festival to take place in Bradford city centre this week

BD: Festival - which will be held in the city centre on Friday and Saturday - will feature a number of free and ticketed performances and events for people of all ages.

The event, produced by Bradford Council, is hoped to build up anticipation for 2025 - the year Bradford celebrates its status as UK City of Culture.

According to the Council, BD: Festival will boast "world-class performers, including international names and home-grown talent".

The full line-up for this year's BD: Festival has now been announced by Bradford Council.

Highlights of the event include Perceptions by Compagnie Bivouac, which is described as an "extraordinary circus experience, performed within a huge aerial structure".

Perceptions by Compagnie Bivouac (Image: Via Bradford Council)

SMOOSH! by Paraorchestra, presented in partnership with Bradford 2025, promises to bring a "high-energy wind and brass band and a troupe of dancers to the streets for a rip-roaring music parade of kaleidoscopic pop-karaoke classics".

SMOOSH! by Paraorchestra (Image: Via Bradford Council)

Punjabi Roots' band Baja and their parade of dhol players and bhangra dancers will also entertain crowds.

Punjabi Roots (Image: Bradford Council)

SOUND DE SECÀ will bring a unique theatre, dance and music experience combining percussion, energetic choreography and catchy beats to the city.

Meanwhile, a live show, Catwalk by Zwermers, will explore themes of consumerism, fast fashion, gender fluidity, cultural identity, conformity and individuality.

Catwalk by Zwermers (Image: Bradford Council)

Families with young children can also enjoy live storytelling and free book giveaways with the Bradford Stories Bus.

Most of the events will be held in and around City Park and Centenary Square, with some taking place on Tyrell Street, Bank Street and The Broadway shopping centre.

Last year's BD: Festival put smiles on lots of people's faces (Image: Andy Garbutt)

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's executive member for healthy people and places, said: "We're delighted to announce the full programme line-up for this year's BD: Festival.

An event at last year's BD:Festival (Image: Andy Garbutt)

"There really is something for everyone at this fabulous annual event and it's a great chance for us to come together to celebrate art, culture and heritage. 

"Families from all around the district and beyond had a great time at last year's BD: Festival and we look forward to once again welcoming everyone to the city centre to enjoy this two-day event."

A Bradford Council spokesperson added: "BD: Festival demonstrates the growing ambition set out in Culture is Our Plan, the district's 10-year culture strategy, as the Bradford district works towards its year of City of Culture in 2025."

For more information about BD: Festival - including the full line-up - visit www.visitbradford.com/bdfestival