What Is The Bradford City Of Culture 2025 Finale Event Brighter Still?

As the massive year for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture starts to wind down, it’s going out with a proper spectacular finale. Forget a quiet ending; this is a huge celebration called ‘Brighter Still’, and it’s all about putting the spotlight firmly on the people who make the city what it is. Hundreds of local residents are set to be the stars of a show that promises to be a powerful mix of community spirit, creativity, and togetherness. This is the big event to wrap up a year of amazing arts and culture across the whole district.

So, what’s happening?

Get ready for 'Brighter Still', the official closing event for the Bradford 2025 celebrations. It's happening at sunset on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st December – the two longest nights of the year. The location is Myrtle Park in Bingley, which will be transformed into a magical stage. The whole idea is to mark the winter solstice, which is all about looking forward to new beginnings and hope, a perfect way to end the City of Culture year. It’s a chance to shine a new light on the people, the stories, and the unique culture of Bradford.

And the show itself sounds incredible. It’s a real mix of everything that makes the city buzz. Imagine BMX riders pulling tricks, the energy of bhangra and bassline music, the uplifting sound of gospel choirs, and the raw emotion of poetry and folk songs. It’s a massive invitation for everyone, whether watching or taking part, to come together and celebrate. This isn't just a performance to watch; it's an event to feel part of. The development of this final show has been a huge community effort.

Who’s taking part?

This is where it gets really special. The show isn’t about famous faces from out of town; it’s about the local residents. This is one of the biggest community participation events of the entire year, with more than 250 local performers hitting the stage. There's a core community cast of 90 people, with ages ranging from just 8 all the way up to 76. It’s a proper mix of generations sharing the spotlight. This public cast has been involved from the ground up, not just learning lines or dance moves, but actively helping to create the show and narrate the stories.

A big focus is on young people, which makes sense since Bradford is one of the UK’s youngest cities. Over a third of the performers are children and young people. You’ll see amazing local talent, including dance groups like Stage 84, Freestyle Fanatics, and the bhangra group X-Plosion. Even the Bradford Bulls cheerleading squad, the Luvabulls, are getting involved. They’ll be joining nine professional dancers on stage, creating a brilliant blend of professional polish and raw community passion. The movement and dance will tell stories rooted in the real-life experiences of people from across the Bradford district.

What are people saying?

It's one thing for organisers to talk about the event, but the real excitement comes from the community cast members themselves. Their stories show just how much this means to them.

Muhammad Isa Jahangir, who is 14, is buzzing about it. He said:

“It's a great opportunity for me to express my passion for Bradford, and it's the very last event which is very cool! I have always enjoyed movement and dance, it lets me release all my energy (AND I love the spotlight)! I have been coming to a lot of the city of culture events which made me want to join in and take part.”

Another cast member, Stephanie Laycock, sees it as a perfect bookend to the year. She said:

“I came to see Rise and thought it was a brilliant way to kick off Bradford 2025. I want to see people of all ages come together and support Bradford for the closing event, being part of an immersive night that all can enjoy. I’m delighted that the final celebration will be held in my home town of Bingley. This is something that will stay with the city for years to come.”

Gavin Wood feels a huge sense of pride in being part of it all. He said: “I've never had the opportunity to do anything like this, but really enjoy theatre, dance, and musicals. I find myself looking on enviously at the performers and the amazing things they do, and think ‘I'd love to do that!’ I'm Bradford born and bred, and incredibly proud of my roots; it's a beautiful place to live, and I feel like the City of Culture is helping the city turn its narrative around towards a more positive outlook - to be a part of that will be very fulfilling.”

The team behind the magic

Pulling off a show this big requires a seriously talented team. The whole thing is led by award-winning director Emily Lim, who is known for creating theatre that brings communities together. She's worked with the National Theatre on their Public Acts programme, which is all about making large-scale productions with everyday people. She’s joined by co-director and choreographer Dan Canham, an expert in movement who has worked with some of the most famous performance companies around. His work is all about joy and humanity, which sounds perfect for this event.

And they're not alone. The team includes Bradford-born writer Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, who has penned the text, and a whole host of designers and composers bringing their creativity to the stage. 'Brighter Still' is set to be a show that sparks imagination and creates lasting memories, a testament to the power of the arts.

A whole year of culture

This final event is the culmination of an incredible year for the Bradford district. The Bradford 2025 title has brought a huge amount of energy and investment into the area. Shanaz Gulzar, the Creative Director of Bradford 2025, summed it up perfectly.

"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."

The whole thing has been made possible by support from many organisations, including the government, the local council, and crucially, through funding from The National Lottery via brilliant bodies like the Arts Council England. Being the UK City of Culture is a massive deal that helps with development and regeneration, bringing long-term benefits that will be felt long after 2025.

How to get tickets

Thinking this sounds too good to miss? You're in luck. The final batch of tickets for 'Brighter Still' are being released, and they're incredibly affordable to make sure as many people as possible can be there.

• When do they go on sale? Monday 1st December at 12pm.
• How much are they? Just £2. And even better, they are completely free for under 16s and over 60s.
• Where can you get them? You can book online at bradford2025.co.uk, call the box office, or pop into the Ticket + Info Hub in Centenary Square, Bradford.

Here are the key details in one place:

What	Brighter Still - The Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture Closing Event
When	Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st December, 4pm
Where	Myrtle Park, Bingley, Bradford District
Tickets	£2 (Free for under 16s & over 60s). Final release on 1st December.

This is more than just a show; it's a celebration of a city, its people, and its bright future. It promises to be an unforgettable way to close an unforgettable year.