BD: Festival in Bradford city centre hailed as 'incredible'

BD: Festival - which took place in the city centre on Friday and Saturday - celebrated art, culture and heritage with a raft of free and ticketed performances and events which brought in crowds of people.

The event, produced by Bradford Council, came just a few months before 2025 - the year Bradford marks its status as UK City of Culture.

There was plenty of entertainment on offer in the heart of the city (Image: Philip Lickley via T&A Camera Club)

A spokesperson from Bradford 25 - the group helping to organise next year's celebrations - said: "BD: Festival has been incredible."

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

Highlights of the event included Perceptions by Compagnie Bivouac, which was an extraordinary circus experience, performed within a huge aerial structure.

BD: Festival was described as 'incredible' and a great way to prepare for City of Culture 2025 (Image: Ralph Berry via T&A Camera Club)

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said it was "hands down one of the best things I've ever watched in Bradford".

Meanwhile, SMOOSH! by Paraorchestra brought a high-energy wind and brass band and a troupe of dancers to the streets for a rip-roaring music parade of pop-karaoke classics.

Punjabi Roots' band Baja and their parade of dhol players and bhangra dancers thrilled spectators.

Crowds gathered in the city centre for one of the performances (Image: Newsquest/Brad Deas)

SOUND DE SECÀ entertained with a unique theatre, dance and music experience combining percussion, energetic choreography and catchy beats.

A live show, Catwalk by Zwermers, explored themes of consumerism, fast fashion, gender fluidity, cultural identity, conformity and individuality.

There was storytelling on the Bradford Stories Bus and a performance looking at the history of tea.

City Library also hosted performances of Queenie and the Pooka, a tale of a Traveller girl and a shape-shifting creature.

Watching over the fun was a huge giant.

Rombald the Giant kept a close eye on it all (Image: Anna Dyson-Clarke via T&A Camera Club)

Rombald the Giant - a sculpture created by Designs in Air - peered into City Park and got plenty of people turning their heads.

Rombald was an inflatable version of the mythical behemoth who is said to be responsible for creating the Cow and Calf rock formation in Ilkley.

It looks like they're having a splash-tastic time! (Image: Anna Dyson-Clarke via T&A Camera Club)

A large colourful fish sculpture also seemed to be having a whale of a time in the fountains.

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, executive member for healthy people and places at the Council, said there was "something for everyone at this fabulous annual event".

She added BD: Festival was a “great chance for us to come together to celebrate art, culture and heritage".