What's On In May

It’s going to be an exciting May in the Bradford district - the weather is warmer, a new king is crowned and there are no fewer than three Bank holidays giving you loads of time to explore the district and see some of the fantastic events coming up this month. Take a look at some of the highlights.

May is National Walking Month and what better way to start the month than by joining the Bingley Walking Festival on Monday, 1st May. A selection of guided walks are on offer to ensure you have a brilliant walk whatever your level of experience.

The Ilkley Carnival returns on Monday, 1st May with a royal theme to celebrate the upcoming coronation. A spectacular parade will launch the event heading from The Grove to East Holmes Field where you'll find entertainment ranging from arts and crafts stalls to a dog show.

One of the most famous trains in the world will visit the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway this month as the Flying Scotsman arrives for a month-long celebration of it’s 100th birthday. In the month of May, you’ll discover a variety of experiences from riding along behind it to partaking in a celebratory meal.

The new immersive experience ‘Hardy and Free’ opens at the Brontë Parsonage Museum on Friday, 5th May. The installation is inspired by the experiences of artist Carolyn Mendelsohn and deals with the female connection to nature through images, objects and soundscapes.

Crafty Dogg’s Beer Festival comes back to King's Hall in Ilkley from 5th-7th May. Featuring a host of breweries who brew in or have strong ties to Yorkshire, this is a great festival to discover tasty new craft beers.

His Royal Majesty Charles III, is crowned king on Saturday, 6th May. On this special bank holiday weekend you will find many events in Bradford while the district celebrates the event with parties, live screenings, special Parkruns and much more. Come along and join the fun!

Ilkley’s first ever National Town Crier Competition will take place on Saturday, 13th May. Criers from all over the country will be in town to take part in parades, themed cries and meet and greets for the title of best crier.

Get ready for an incredible experience at Bradford Cathedral. The building hosts a silent disco on Friday, 12th May, where you can dance to the tunes of some of the best DJs of the 90s, straight into your own headphones.

Head into Cullingworth for the Brontë Vintage Gathering on 13th-14th May. The ever-popular event is packed with fantastic things to see and do, with terrier racing, falconry, classic vehicles and delicious food and drink.

See Conservation in Action at NT East Riddlesden Hall, Keighley on the 16th-17th May. The collections team will carry out a deep clean on parts of the Hall and its historical artefacts, giving you the chance to see the work that contributes to the preservation of this heritage property.

The annual 1940s weekend returns to Haworth on 20th-21st May. The village will be transformed with period decorations, vehicles and costumes. There’ll be plenty to do with music, stalls and dances throughout the weekend, so come join in.

The brilliant Bradford Science Festival returns to the National Science and Media Museum from 23rd May – 4th June. There's fun for all the family with plenty to keep you busy, from building your own model of the Orion spacecraft to exploring light in a live science show.

Join Tanya Bentham and the Ilkley Manor House for a special Medieval Fashion Show on Saturday, 27th May. See a fascinating range of period clothing for men, women and children and get answers to your most burning questions about period clothing.

The Saltaire Arts Trail runs throughout the village from 27th-29th May. Contemporary artworks will be on display everywhere, from businesses and public spaces to homes. There will be exhibitions, activities, a makers fair and much more.

The district’s theatres are getting ready for a great May with plenty for everyone. The risqué humour of Jimmy Carr’s new tour, Terribly Funny 2.0, is heading to St George’s Hall in Bradford, which will also see a visit from West End sensation Carrie Hope Fletcher. The Ilkley Playhouse will explore A History of Falling Things whilst pantomime returns to the district with Mother Goose at the Bradford Playhouse and Snow White And The 37 Dwarves at the Bingley Little Theatre. Meanwhile JB Priestley's classic, An Inspector Calls arrives at the Alhambra Theatre in an award-winning new production.

Music fans can have a lot of fun with Eurotastic with a live stream of the Eurovision final at the Light Cinema. There’s lots of other amazing music from around the world also comes to the district, including Gambian instrumentalist Suntou Susso at the Live Room in Saltaire and Indian sensations the Nooran Sisters at St George’s Hall. The Ilkley Manor House welcomes folk singer Iona Lane and The Underground will play a host of brilliant bands playing at the Ruination Festival. Fans of classic hits will be entertained by the Cavern Beatles at the Bingley Little Theatre and the hilarious Bingo Bash Abba Drag Show at Tickles Music Hall. 

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Enjoy your time in Bradford district, and don’t forget to tag @visitbradford #VisitBradford in your photos.

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