Because of you: how National Lottery players helped bring Bradford 2025 to life
24th November 2025
Bradford 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary. Thanks to support from National Lottery players, funding from Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund, and The British Film Institute has helped bring an extraordinary programme of culture, creativity and pride to life across the district.
Starting with a blank page
When Bradford was announced as UK City of Culture in spring 2022, the team behind it was starting almost from scratch.
“We started with just six members of staff and a blank page,” says Executive Director Dan Bates. “It was exciting, but also a bit terrifying.” Three years on, that team has grown to more than 130 staff plus freelancers, delivering a programme of events across the city.
National Lottery players have played a vital role in supporting Bradford’s journey, funding hundreds of events, exhibitions, and performances. Here are some of our highlights.
A spectacular start
The year began with RISE, a spectacular opening event that brought more than 20,000 people into the city centre. Despite a cold snap that covered Bradford with heavy snow, local performers joined magician Steven Frayne (formerly known as Dynamo) for a show that celebrated the magic of Bradford.
“It was a fantastic event,” says Dan. “There was a real sense of achievement in getting through it with the odds stacked against us.”
Bringing the community together
Since then, tens of thousands of people have played their part in shaping Bradford 2025. More than 2,000 school children took part in the ballet and opera project, Sing, Dance, Leap, in collaboration with the Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO), Opera North (ON) and Northern Ballet (NB).
More than 2,300 volunteers have signed up to support performances, paint venues, and welcome visitors from around the world.
Transforming the district
The impact of Bradford 2025 can already be seen and felt across the city. The city centre has been transformed and newly pedestrianised, existing cultural venues have benefited from infrastructure improvements, along with the gateways that welcome people into Bradford.
Visitors from across the UK and overseas have made the journey, while more than 23 million viewers have seen Bradford district featured across national broadcast coverage on the BBC
“There’s a real sense of pride running through the district,” says Dan. “People have loved welcoming visitors, and that pride has only grown as the year has unfolded.”
Highlights from an extraordinary year
There have been many standout moments.
The Railway Children reimagined the classic story in a powerful new way. The audience began their journey aboard a steam train through the Yorkshire countryside before arriving at a specially created theatre space in Oxenhope. The story stayed true to its roots but took on new meaning through its diverse cast and contemporary edge.
Another highlight was The Beacon, a 300-seat pop-up venue that toured parks across the district, bringing the City of Culture experience to people’s doorsteps. It was designed for those less likely to travel into the city centre, with a bespoke programme in each location that sparked a real sense of pride within local communities.
A further milestone is the Turner Prize 2025 exhibition at The National Lottery-funded Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, which has attracted thousands of visitors and international attention, celebrating the best of British art, alongside a programme called OUR TURN spotlighting Bradford’s creative scene.
Made possible by players
Funding from The National Lottery has been key to Bradford’s success.
“It’s been absolutely vital,” says Dan. “Bradford 2025 wouldn’t have been possible without the support of National Lottery players.”
Funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has supported projects celebrating the countryside, nature and local heritage across the district, including a sculptural exhibition in the hills around Haworth. The British Film Institute has helped showcase Bradford’s film heritage and its status as the world’s first UNESCO City of Film.
The National Lottery Community Fund has helped grassroots projects and volunteering programmes thrive, while support from Arts Council England has brought exceptional performances to local stages and public spaces.
Beyond 2025
As the year draws to a close, the story doesn’t end here. The Turner Prize 2025 exhibition runs until February 2026, while Our Patch, a volunteering programme funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, continues through to March.
“Everyone involved feels an immense sense of pride at what has been have achieved” says Dan. “But there’s also a real sense that we’re only just getting started.”
Because of you
Every ticket bought by National Lottery players helps make this possible. Each week, £30 million is raised for good causes across the UK, supporting thousands of projects that change lives.