Bradford 2025 – From Kochi to ‘Brighter Still’ and curtain call… (wrap)

December 28, 2025Last Updated: December 28, 2025

Two major festivals – one a continent away, another at least relatively on our doorstep, one opening and another closing…
As birds fly, this was quite the contrast – one Sunday in the Southern Indian coastal (Kerala) city of Kochi, just a week before ‘Brighter Still’ – the final show of Bradford 2025 – and just as the Kochi Biennale opening weekend came to a close with a show opening at the vast Willingdon Island warehouse and then it was a train ride up to Bradford for a show on the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere…

AN ESTIMATED 5,000 people gathered for the final show of Bradford 2025 and www.asianculturevulture.com was able to record Shanaz Gulzar (creative director Bradford 2025) closing reactions (See the Instagram video below).

A spectacular 50-minute or so community show brought the curtain down on all things formal with Bradford 2025 – as the official UK City of Culture this year.

An expectant crowd gathered in Myrtle Park in Bingley, as dusk fell and the show got under way with traditional Asian/Indian singing, dance and the lighting of a fire.

There were some 250 people involved in the variety show which reflected the diversity and the talent of the people of Bradford.

It was entertaining, warming and an occasion to remember with 90 Bradfordians taking part as amateurs, while 35 per cent of people participating were young people or children – the city has a youthful population with more than a ¼ of residents under 20 years of age.

It was cold but not freezing – in contrast to ‘Rise’ – the opening show of Bradford 2025 – which was in memory a longer show and much colder (about -4C) in the city square with a temporary stage. (See links below for previous Bradford 2025 coverage).

The youngest participant was of ‘Brighter Still’ was eight – the oldest 76.

There were nine professional dancers; BMX riders, bhangra, spoken word, poetry, and folk songs (See our ‘Brighter Still’ clips below).

Among the performers on the late afternoon were Stage 84 (Yorkshire School of Performing Arts), Freestyle Fanatics, X-Plosion, a bhangra group, Club Ekta, a women’s fitness group and the Luvabulls from Bradford Bulls Rugby League outfit.

There were also stories about how people came to live and be born in the city and there was an immersive element too – as the audience were asked to switch on their phones and chant in unison at one point.

An award-winning creative team created the show – led by director Emily Lim, co-director and choreographer Dan Canham with text provided by Bradford-born witer Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, stage and set design by Mydd Pharo with music by Benji Bower and Warren ‘Flamin Beatz’ Morgan-Humphreys.

Gulzar said ahead of show: “Every step of the way, Bradford 2025 has been powered by Bradford’s people.
“Communities across the district have taken part in performances, hosted events, attended arts workshops, and shared their skills, stories and creativity with great energy and generosity.

“We complete this remarkable year by putting local people centre stage where they belong.

“‘Brighter Still’ will be a dynamic reflection of Bradford, honouring our heritage, marking the present, and looking to the future.

“As we approach the culmination of Bradford’s time as UK City of Culture, we invite everyone to gather, to celebrate, and to ensure Bradford is seen bolder and brighter than ever.”

Tickets to the show were just £2, while pensioners and those under 16 could get in free but had to register to obtain a ticket.

ACV saw the very final show of ‘Brighter Still‘ on Sunday, December 21. Most media accounts are from the day before…

The show brought Bradford 2025, UK City of Culture to and an end.

We were there last for the tour of the newly created Bradford Arts Centre; the world premiere of Jaivant Patel’s ‘Astitva’ (‘Existence’) opened there and we interviewed Patel about his company’s landmark production which helped to usher in the age of the new centre and the replacement for well-known Kala Sangam performance space. (See link below)

We were also there for the media unveiling of the Turner Prize exhibition at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery (it goes on until February 22).

On the same day we visited Salts Mill and saw American artist Ann Hamilton use of the vast space for her ‘We Will Sing’.

We also covered the Opening Show of Bradford 2025, ‘Rise’.

Every trip was great, and the first included a curry in one the city’s many Pakistani origin eateries – it was a bring your own alcohol affair – and a tasty exercise and excellent company with the other dozen or so journalists and PRs and we stayed in Bradford that night.

Bradford 2025 is said to have attracted around three million visitors to the city and the cost was estimated to be £51 million.

There is no doubt the city has benefitted but as with all things it is about the legacy and lasting change.

It is a beautiful part of the world, all the shows we went to were good and well organised (thanks to the PRs) and it’s an area we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend or return for major art shows and initiatives.

Highlights from Bradford 2025 Uk City of Culture…

5,000 events across all 30 wards of the district
More than 650 local artists and groups involved
In total 87,000 individuals participated in one form or another
160 schools and educational institutions contributed
King Charles and Queen Camilla visited on May 15
Turner Prize exhibition continues until February 22 (Cartwright Hall Art Gallery) – attendance has doubled
Impressions Gallery in town centre has also seen doubling (we interviewed Aida Muluneh at launch -see link below – https://www.instagram.com/p/DFiY73wsTof/
Visitor numbers up – one estimates three million extra – while a 29 per cent increase in journeys between Bradford district and London and South East on LNER services – city centre footfall also estimated to be up over 25 per cent
30 culture organisations received grants
Over 80 per cent of people surveyed reported positive views on their wellbeing because of Braford 2025
8/10 said Bradford 205 made them proud of the city
More than 70 per cent of residents said Bradford 2025 helped them to connect with people in their local community