What's On In Bradford This December: Your Guide To Christmas At Darley Street Market And Keighley Market

So, December is finally here. The air's got that crisp chill, and everyone's starting to wonder how to get into the festive spirit without just watching the same films again. If looking for something to do is on the agenda, then the markets in Bradford are absolutely buzzing throughout the entire month. Both Darley Street Market and Keighley Market have a packed schedule of events for the whole family. From creative workshops and live music to a chance to meet Santa himself, there's a lot going on. It’s a proper Christmas celebration, with something happening nearly every day.

Kicking off the Christmas cheer: 3-7 December

The festive fun in Bradford starts right at the beginning of the month. On Wednesday 3 December, the Northern Monk Quiz Night returns to the Darley Street Kitchen at 7pm, a perfect mid-week treat. Come Friday 5 December, things get busy. Barclays will be in the Darley Street Market courtyard from 10am to 4pm with some helpful tips on fraud and scams. Later that evening, from 6pm to 8pm, the Darley Street Kitchen will host some brilliant live music from Joanna Klu. The first big weekend is properly packed. Saturday 6 December is a huge day across both the Darley Street Market and Keighley Market.

• The Real Market will be set up in the Darley Street Market courtyard from 10am to 3pm.
• Over at Keighley Market, Keighley Creative is hosting The Big Craft Spectacular from 10:30am to 3pm.
• The main man himself, Santa, will be in his grotto in the Darley Street Market courtyard from 11am to 3pm, with free face-painting too.
• For those who fancy getting crafty, a Festive Workshop on recycled Christmas decorations is happening outside Wellnest at Darley Street Market from 11am.
• A ‘Buy a beanie, give a beanie’ sale is on outside Wellnest too, from 10am to 2pm.
• The sound of music fills the air with the Oakworth Primary Choir at Keighley Market from 1pm, followed by a performance from the Bradford Cathedral Choir in the Darley Street Kitchen courtyard.
• The day finishes with more live music at the Darley Street Kitchen, with Darren Ellis playing from 5pm.

The week ends on Sunday 7 December with a free Festive Workshop outside Wellnest from 11am. The main event is the ‘Christmas in the Courtyard’ market at Darley Street Market from 12pm to 7pm. Expect a proper Christmas market feel, with a brass band from Queensbury Music Centre playing at 2pm and Bratwurst Brass taking over at 4pm.

Mid-December market magic: 8-14 December

The second week of the month keeps the momentum going. On Monday 8 December, Billy’s Bus and House of Pottery will be in the Darley Street Market courtyard from 12pm. At the same time, a Wreath Workshop will take place outside Wellnest. Later, the Bradford Rock Choir will perform in the courtyard at 4pm. On Tuesday 9 December, the music continues with the Bradford Belles at 4pm and the Shipley Community Youth Choir at 6pm, both lighting up the courtyard.

Wednesday 10 December brings another chance to test your knowledge at the Northern Monk Quiz Night at the Darley Street Kitchen. On Thursday 11 December, the fantastic Haworth Band will be playing at Keighley Market from 11am until 2pm. Friday 12 December sees another ‘Christmas in the Courtyard’ event at Darley Street Market. This Christmas market runs from 12pm to 7pm and features a jazz duo at 2pm, Jez Barraclough at 4pm, and the huge Anchor Big Band at 6pm. The evening’s live music continues at the Darley Street Kitchen with Flash Cassette from 6pm. Saturday 13 December is another massive day for families.

• Keighley Market has a Festive Workshop on Textile Tree Treasures from 11am, and Santa will be visiting from 11am to 1pm.
• At Darley Street Market, there’s a Bauble Workshop outside Wellnest from 11am.
• Kids can take part in The Great Darley Street Market Elf Hunt from 11am.
• Santa is back in his grotto with more free face-painting in the courtyard from 11am.
• The Bloomin’ Buds Walkabout will bring some street theatre to the market from 12pm.
• ‘Christmas in the Courtyard’ continues with live performances from Peace Artistes, Queensbury Singers, and the Bradford Voices choir throughout the day.
• The Darley Street Kitchen hosts live music from Sarah Jane Widdup (12pm-2pm) and Groovers in the Heart (5pm-7pm).

And to finish the week on Sunday 14 December, the Christmas market is back in the courtyard with performances from Amber Lights Performing Arts, The Shipley Recorders, and The Regenerated. There’s another Textile Tree Treasures workshop outside Wellnest and a special wine and cheese tasting afternoon at the market from 1:30pm.

The final run-up to Christmas: 17-23 December

As Christmas gets closer, the events just keep coming. On Wednesday 17 December, there’s an Adult Festive Food Tour at Darley Street Market from 12pm. A Festive Preservation Workshop is on offer outside Wellnest with two sessions. Keighley Market will host a sing-song with Keighley St. Andrews Primary School, and the Northern Monk Quiz Night is on again in the evening at the Street Kitchen. Thursday 18 December is a treat for foodies, with a cheese-making workshop at Darley Street Market from 11am. Later, the Keighley Rock Choir performs at Keighley Market at 3:45pm, and the day ends with Carols at Darley Street Kitchen from 7pm. Friday 19 December offers more live music at the Darley Street Kitchen. The final Saturday before Christmas, 20 December, is stacked with activities.

• A Christmas Animation festive workshop takes place outside Wellnest.
• Santa’s grotto is open again with free face-painting.
• Kids can make a Rudolph Reindeer at a Motanka Doll workshop in the courtyard.
• The Great Darley Street Market Elf Hunt continues.
• Hot Aire will be playing at Keighley Market.
• A unique ‘Paint, Sup and Sing’ session is happening at Darley Street Market.
• Live music from I N T A will round off the day at the Darley Street Kitchen.

On Sunday 21 December, there’s a workshop for making Tiny Penguin Terrariums outside Wellnest. And what could be more festive than a family showing of *Home Alone* in the Darley Street Market courtyard from 1pm? The festive fun continues on Monday 22 December with another Motanka Doll workshop at Keighley Market. And on Tuesday 23 December, just before the big day, there's a showing of *The Snowman* in the courtyard, followed by a performance from the Salvation Army band.

That strange bit between Christmas and new year: 26-31 December

Even after Christmas Day, the music doesn’t stop at the Darley Street Kitchen. There’s live music planned for the afternoon of Friday 26 December, perfect for a Boxing Day outing. The celebrations continue with Wino playing on Saturday 27 December and James Spencer on Monday 29 December. The whole month of festive fun in Bradford concludes on Wednesday 31 December, with live music from Fatboy Slenderman at the Street Kitchen to welcome the new year. It’s clear that whether it’s a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, there is something happening this December.