A BUMPER weekend of events is coming to Bradford, including a Bavarian bonanza in Keighley and the annual lantern parade through Lister Park.

Starting this evening, the centre of Keighley will be transformed into a beer drinker’s paradise, as Oktoberfest comes to town.

The German beer festival has been held in Munich annually for the past 200 years, and now Keighley Town Council has brought the frivolities to the town for the first time.

The free festival is being held in Church Green and the market car park, with live music, including a German Oompah band, a continental food and craft market, and children’s activities.

Councillor Julie Adams, a member of the events and leisure committee of Keighley Town Council, said the council was looking forward to the event.

She said: “It is usually a one day event, this is the first time it has gone on all weekend.

“Hopefully the weather will improve in time, but it is going to be a big event and will be beneficial to the whole town, so I would encourage people to come into the town centre to have a look.”

Oktoberfest will run from 9am to 8pm tomorrow and 11pm to 5pm on Sunday.

Also tomorrow is the annual Lister Park lantern parade, with the theme this year of ‘Welcome’. The event begins at 4pm, with activities and live dance and music performances, followed by the parade at 6.30pm. Entry is free.

Widescreen Weekend is taking over the Pictureville cinema at the National Media Museum. Highlights include the original Ghostbusters at 8pm tomorrow, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at 12.30pm on Sunday.

Also taking place tomorrow is Science Saturday at The Broadway, with science-led sessions and experiments throughout the day.

On Sunday, the undead will be coming to Lister Park for the Great Zombie Run, organised by the Human Relief Foundation.

In the first event of its kind in Bradford, runners will have to navigate a five-kilometre course through the park, while trying to avoid the hordes of zombies patrolling the route. Entry into the run is £15 for adults and £10 for students.

Celebrations will also take place in Saltaire and Bingley on Sunday to mark the 200th anniversary of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The Kennet, a historic floating museum, will pass through both towns, with celebrations starting at Bingley Five Rise Locks from 10am and Victoria Road moorings in Saltaire from 11am.

MORE TOP STORIES