Schedule of free events to keep visitors coming to Bradford's City Park

What City Park will look like during the Garden of Light event What City Park will look like during the Garden of Light event

A fun-packed and colourful range of free events will be held in Bradford’s City Park this autumn, following the venue drawing large crowds on sunny days throughout the summer.

For one of the events, the park will be transformed into a Garden of Light.

The showpiece public space will also play host to an event celebrating technological achievements at the Bradford Science Festival, the annual Christmas Lights switch on, and a series of ice sculptures.

The smells and tastes of the 2012 World Curry Festival launches the season of events on Friday, September 21 with three days of vibrant street entertainment, live demonstrations, tastings and market stalls, all spiced-up with music, comedy, film and fantastic food.

On Friday, October 5, City Park will be transformed into an enchanting light garden, when French master light artists TILT make a Garden of Light appear in City Park. The Garden of Light event will run until October 14.

The Bradford Science Festival will celebrate the incredible scientific and technological achievements of Bradford and the wider community through a variety of events including debates, workshops and challenges.The festival runs from Wednesday, October 17 to Sunday, October 21.

The following week, City Park is to be turned into a giant outdoor cinema on Saturday, October 27. The UK’s largest inflatable 50ft Airscreen will show the animation classic Coraline, and a selection of the best short films from the Bradford Animation Festival.

City Park will be home to the Royal British Legion Poppy Launch on Friday, October 26, and the new stage for Remembrance Sunday commemorations on November 11.

Bradford will celebrate the beginning of the festive season on Saturday, November 17, when this year’s Christmas lights switch-on features acrobats, trapeze artists and a breathtaking fireworks display.

In addition, City Park will be a good place to see the start and finish of the Bradford City Run on Sunday, December 2. Entry is £10 for runners, but it’s free for spectators.

On Saturday, December 15, ice sculptures will bring to life a story of a little fox who is looking for Santa. The sculptures are to be produced by Sandinyoureye, the Bradford-based company which made the giant Darwin sand sculpture in Centenary square.

Councillor David Green , leader of Bradford Council said: “This great range of autumn events in City Park will create a vibrant and stimulating atmosphere that is sure to attract local people and visitors.

“Many thousands of people have enjoyed Bradford’s new hi-tech public space over summer and we intend to build on that success.”

Comments(25)

badford says...
7:38am Wed 5 Sep 12

Bradford council focusing on the so called prime location city park while the rest of bradford centre declines further down the hole .But council like holes

Thee Voice of Reason says...
7:56am Wed 5 Sep 12

Its a start but there should be an event every weekend seeing as so much was spent on it.

Joedavid says...
8:02am Wed 5 Sep 12

Will the fountains be made to go high as they do not at the moment?
Are they broken?

angry bradfordian says...
8:14am Wed 5 Sep 12

“Many thousands of people have enjoyed Bradford’s new hi-tech public space over summer"

I thought we were promised MILLIONS of extra visitors for our £24m???

Avro says...
9:03am Wed 5 Sep 12

We were told that the events would bring in up to £80million in additional revenue.............


"that is sure to attract local people and visitors.".. ....Lets hope the visitors are not expecting to have a good shopping experience!

Cunni1 says...
9:04am Wed 5 Sep 12

With respect to the comments above, whenever I've been to the park it's always been buzzing, and you can see that general footfall has improved as a result of its opening.
Certainly something for the city to be proud of. Simple as that.

Joedavid says...
9:25am Wed 5 Sep 12

Cunni1 wrote:
With respect to the comments above, whenever I've been to the park it's always been buzzing, and you can see that general footfall has improved as a result of its opening. Certainly something for the city to be proud of. Simple as that.
You see a different Bradford City centre to me then.

Thee Voice of Reason says...
9:54am Wed 5 Sep 12

I am yet to visit it, I've seen a fountain before I need more than just a fountain to make me want to visit that area.

Events are the way forward but nothing has took my eye as yet.

JAtkinson says...
10:23am Wed 5 Sep 12

Cunni1 wrote:
With respect to the comments above, whenever I've been to the park it's always been buzzing, and you can see that general footfall has improved as a result of its opening.
Certainly something for the city to be proud of. Simple as that.
Couldn't agree more. The City Park is a genuinely great place to be - there doesn't need to be anything on: just a bit of sun gets people out and into town, and the fountains put a smile on faces whether rain or shine. People are coming to the city to enjoy the city - and I'm sure they spend money whilst there. It's attracting people, generating income and giving people a fab view of the city. If there were more events - and better publicised (where's selling from the @cityparkBD & other BDMC twitter feeds, etc.?) - the puddle will draw more and more people in and get them returning.

£24m will be well worth it in the future. I hated it before it came with all the noise and disruption but, now it's here, it's wonderful!

Keep on putting exciting events on, publicise them properly and draw in the crowds.

JAtkinson says...
10:28am Wed 5 Sep 12

Joedavid wrote:
Cunni1 wrote:
With respect to the comments above, whenever I've been to the park it's always been buzzing, and you can see that general footfall has improved as a result of its opening. Certainly something for the city to be proud of. Simple as that.
You see a different Bradford City centre to me then.
Good - I'm glad because the Bradford you see sounds awful. The one I see isn't only bad. I see empty shops and £ shops and betting shops, but I also see a developing cafe culture, people coming to the city to enjoy being here with kids playing in the fountains, and a growing group of people who are demanding change and improvement.

webess says...
12:29pm Wed 5 Sep 12

badford wrote:
Bradford council focusing on the so called prime location city park while the rest of bradford centre declines further down the hole .But council like holes
The local moaning industry is still going strong...

yorkshiredude says...
12:46pm Wed 5 Sep 12

Great to see a programme of varied events, its what the space is there for! More events = more footfall = better prospect for businesses = better businesses across the city centre. Not sure what has happened in the six months it has been open, but hopefully it will make a positive difference in the next few years.

Thee Voice of Reason says...
1:41pm Wed 5 Sep 12

Why not get senior council officials, councillors and members of Westfield in some stocks down at the City Park.

I think hundreds of thousands would turn out for that.

Cunni1 says...
2:21pm Wed 5 Sep 12

Thee Voice of Reason wrote:
I am yet to visit it, I've seen a fountain before I need more than just a fountain to make me want to visit that area.

Events are the way forward but nothing has took my eye as yet.
Amazing.

Thee Voice of Reason says...
2:26pm Wed 5 Sep 12

Cunni1 wrote:
Thee Voice of Reason wrote: I am yet to visit it, I've seen a fountain before I need more than just a fountain to make me want to visit that area. Events are the way forward but nothing has took my eye as yet.
Amazing.
There is a nice fountain in my local park, I'd rather go there. Until there is something else to pull me into the City center why bother?

Cunni1 says...
2:37pm Wed 5 Sep 12

Thee Voice of Reason wrote:
Cunni1 wrote:
Thee Voice of Reason wrote: I am yet to visit it, I've seen a fountain before I need more than just a fountain to make me want to visit that area. Events are the way forward but nothing has took my eye as yet.
Amazing.
There is a nice fountain in my local park, I'd rather go there. Until there is something else to pull me into the City center why bother?
It's not just a fountain though, is it?

When I go there, the place is heaving with families. The kids are loving being able to interact with the water. The families are then sticking around and having dinner at Nando's or a coffee or a drink.
I'm sorry it's not your cup of tea – I really am – but the enhanced public realm is bringing people into town who previously had no reason to do so. That is literally happening.

Thee Voice of Reason says...
2:48pm Wed 5 Sep 12

Cunni1 wrote:
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:
Cunni1 wrote:
Thee Voice of Reason wrote: I am yet to visit it, I've seen a fountain before I need more than just a fountain to make me want to visit that area. Events are the way forward but nothing has took my eye as yet.
Amazing.
There is a nice fountain in my local park, I'd rather go there. Until there is something else to pull me into the City center why bother?
It's not just a fountain though, is it? When I go there, the place is heaving with families. The kids are loving being able to interact with the water. The families are then sticking around and having dinner at Nando's or a coffee or a drink. I'm sorry it's not your cup of tea – I really am – but the enhanced public realm is bringing people into town who previously had no reason to do so. That is literally happening.
Everything you just mentioned can also be said about my local park. Heaving with families but replace Nandos with one of the local pubs/cafes.

There needs to be more than just that to bring people into the City Center.

Cunni1 says...
2:53pm Wed 5 Sep 12

Thee Voice of Reason wrote:
Cunni1 wrote:
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:
Cunni1 wrote:
Thee Voice of Reason wrote: I am yet to visit it, I've seen a fountain before I need more than just a fountain to make me want to visit that area. Events are the way forward but nothing has took my eye as yet.
Amazing.
There is a nice fountain in my local park, I'd rather go there. Until there is something else to pull me into the City center why bother?
It's not just a fountain though, is it? When I go there, the place is heaving with families. The kids are loving being able to interact with the water. The families are then sticking around and having dinner at Nando's or a coffee or a drink. I'm sorry it's not your cup of tea – I really am – but the enhanced public realm is bringing people into town who previously had no reason to do so. That is literally happening.
Everything you just mentioned can also be said about my local park. Heaving with families but replace Nandos with one of the local pubs/cafes.

There needs to be more than just that to bring people into the City Center.
Enjoy your local park then!

Thee Voice of Reason says...
2:57pm Wed 5 Sep 12

Cunni1 wrote:
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:
Cunni1 wrote:
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:
Cunni1 wrote:
Thee Voice of Reason wrote: I am yet to visit it, I've seen a fountain before I need more than just a fountain to make me want to visit that area. Events are the way forward but nothing has took my eye as yet.
Amazing.
There is a nice fountain in my local park, I'd rather go there. Until there is something else to pull me into the City center why bother?
It's not just a fountain though, is it? When I go there, the place is heaving with families. The kids are loving being able to interact with the water. The families are then sticking around and having dinner at Nando's or a coffee or a drink. I'm sorry it's not your cup of tea – I really am – but the enhanced public realm is bringing people into town who previously had no reason to do so. That is literally happening.
Everything you just mentioned can also be said about my local park. Heaving with families but replace Nandos with one of the local pubs/cafes. There needs to be more than just that to bring people into the City Center.
Enjoy your local park then!
I do.

Apollo says...
4:30pm Wed 5 Sep 12

angry bradfordian wrote:
“Many thousands of people have enjoyed Bradford’s new hi-tech public space over summer" I thought we were promised MILLIONS of extra visitors for our £24m???
£34 million was the cost and not £24million.

Avro says...
5:37pm Wed 5 Sep 12

So what's with the College hair salon in the banana?

Are things that bad that they cant attract a decent retailer for the unit?

badgersboots1 says...
5:45pm Wed 5 Sep 12

Just get down there and give it a whirl, you might just be surprised. always enjoyed it when i have been down and it has pulled me into the city centre, kids love it and i have spent money i probs wouldnt have otherwise. the only way to get the city centre out of the hole (no pun) its in is for us all to start using it, demanding change and stopping the moaning, action creates change, moaning creates ulcers!!

angry bradfordian says...
6:47pm Wed 5 Sep 12

Apollo wrote:
angry bradfordian wrote:
“Many thousands of people have enjoyed Bradford’s new hi-tech public space over summer" I thought we were promised MILLIONS of extra visitors for our £24m???
£34 million was the cost and not £24million.
I was trying being optimistic with the £24m quote.
It's all gone quiet on the final cost since the scheme was coming to an end. Surely the 'commercial confidentiality' excuse can't still be true?

wobbley-bob says...
8:33pm Wed 5 Sep 12

Me thinks some of the above posters are the same person..... :)

The City Puddle......
It's not, & never was worth 30 odd million squid.
Everytime I've been near it, I'm one of only about a dozen people there.
Yes Joedavid, I think it's nackered, as I've only ever seen piddley little squirters.

Might pop along to the garden of light do, as it sounds like it could be good.

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9:35pm Wed 19 Sep 12

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