What's On In July

Summer is now in full swing and it’s time to look at all the fun you can get up to in the Bradford district this July. There’s are loads of fantastic events, activities and festivals on the way – here are a few of the highlights to whet your appetite!

Start the month by sampling a few tasty drinks with some delicious street food and live music at the Beer and Gin Festival at Baildon Cricket Club on 5th-7th July. They’ve teamed up with Saltaire Brewery to bring you a great family-friendly weekend including plenty of cricket action.

Join the fun at the Oxenhope Charity Straw Race on Sunday, 7^th July. Whether you’re entering yourself or just heading in to watch all the action, you’re in for a fun time as runners, often in brilliant fancy dress, race to carry bales of hay between the pubs of the village.

Pick up something delicious for dinner at farmers markets in Ilkley on Sunday, 7^th July and Saltaire on Sunday, 14^th July. There’ll be plenty of fresh breads, cakes, cheeses, meats and more, all from local, specialist and independent producers.

Enjoy a day out in City Park on 6th-7th July at one of the Family Fun Days running as part of the Bradford Literature Festival. Children will have an incredible time discovering different crafts, participating in thrilling activities, enjoying captivating storytelling, and so much more. Prepare for a magical adventure filled with Treemendous Tales and Magical Mayhem!

Board the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway on Sunday, 7^th July, to enjoy a delicious three-tier antipasto and a glass of fizz as you ride through the Worth Valley from Keighley station. 

Have a fun-filled family day out at the Baildon Carnival on Saturday, 13^th July. Begin by watching the parade through Baildon before enjoying the rides, games and street food at Jenny Lane Park along with a performance from the Holmes Dance Academy.

Drink a delicious local pint or two at Crafty Dogg’s Beer Festival which returns to the Ilkley Rugby Club on 19^th-20^th July. This fantastic celebration of local breweries and breweries with links to the area offers plenty of delicious craft beer to try and your ticket includes a commemorative glass.

Head into Haworth from 19^th-28^th July for the Haworth Festival. Everyday of the event is packed with fantastic events including live music, dance, comedy, literary events and even a community run. Tickets are available now.

Watch mighty dragons race along the river Aire from the banks of Roberts Park on 19^th-21^st July at the Bradford Dragon Boat Festival. As teams power their amazing dragon boats across the water, there’ll be plenty of family fun on land with live entertainment, stalls and more.

Ever wondered like what it was like to be an Anglo-Saxon? Discover this and more at NT East Riddlesden Hall on 20^th-23^rd July in the Festival of Archaeology. Kids will have a blast at this family event with costumes to try on and props to pose with as you learn ‘How to be an Anglo-Saxon in 13 Easy Stages’.

Image (c) Pierre Planchenault

Discover incredible live performances in Bradford City Centre on 26^th-27^th July at the BD:Festival. See daring circus acts and whimsical street theatre. Explore themes of nature and humanity or delve into immersive experiences at this free world-class event.

Find plenty of family fun all across Shipley at the Shipley Summer Special on Saturday, 27^th July. Conquer inflatable assault courses, dance in the silent disco, enjoy live music and more over the course of this brilliant day out.

Join the Bradford Industrial Museum for an outdoor Scouting Adventure on Saturday, 27^th July. Erect tents, test your map-reading skills and more in this family day. Be sure to check out other events at Bradford Museums and Galleries throughout the month.

Enter a world of entertainment at Bradford’s theatres and Music venues this month with dozens of incredible shows to see. There’s magic on stage at King’s Hall in Ilkley with a new show from Cillian O’Connor, and hilarious comedy in Bradford with Sarah Millican at St Georges Hall and Sukh Ojla at the Studio Theatre. Smash hit shows arrive at the Alhambra theatre with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Grease.

Bradford Cathedral plays host to a candlelight tribute to the music of Fleetwood Mac whilst Ilkley Playhouse celebrates Elvis. Country fans will love a show by Made in Tennessee at the Bingley Arts Centre and Victoria Hall in Keighley will put on a musical extravaganza by the Hot Aire! Concert band and the Bradford Accordion Band. Calling Planet Earth at the Alhambra Theatre will take you back to the time of some of the musical greats whilst at Ilkley Manor House, Living With Machines revive forgotten songs of the industrial era with all-new music.

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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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