Bradford City of Culture opening event, RISE kicks start year of celebrations

Tonight's performance, RISE will officially launch Bradford's tenure as City of Culture for 2025.

It's the first of two openings with the other one taking place tomorrow (Saturday 11 January).

Bradford won the City of Culture bid back in 2022, when it was announced they'd be taking over from Coventry. Since then, organisers have been working to create a year-long programme.

Yesterday they confirmed despite the cold weather the opening event was still taking place, the Shanaz Gulzar is the Creative Director for City of Culture, she told us: "I've been out three times this morning just doing walk-through's and the council has been brilliant.

"They've been working with their gritters, they've been making the streets safe, for people to walk in, to get people to the site. To feel like that we're hear we're ready to welcome."

The event starts at 6:30 pm and tickets are still available.

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