THE Bradford district will be full of Christmas cheer over the festive period as the Sparkling Bradford initiative gets underway.

After two successful campaigns, the comeback of the all-singing, all-dancing seasonal programme has been announced by The Broadway Bradford, Bradford Council, Made in Bradford, Visit Bradford, The University of Bradford and the Bradford Business Improvement District (BID).

Sparkling Bradford Christmas is rolling out a huge line-up of indoor and outdoor festive events to celebrate the season.

Hundreds of people are expected to visit a whole range of events across all corners of the district and there’ll be plenty to enjoy during the launch week (November 4 to 8).

On Wednesday, November 6, the wheels are in motion for 60 reception pupils from Saltaire Primary School to visit the Shipley Glen Cable Tramway for a free ride and festive gift ahead of the Santa Specials starting in December.

During the launch week, hampers bursting with Yuletide treats will be given to hospices across the district.

Ian Ward, general manager at The Broadway and chair of the Bradford BID, said: “As it’s the season of giving, we’re looking forward to kicking off the events spectacular with a launch week to spread Christmas cheer across all towns in the district.

“With the countdown on for the Broadway’s Festive Launch, there’s a real build-up of excitement amongst the community and visitors.

“We can’t wait to show more people what Bradford has to offer.”

All of the season’s events have been wrapped up in a Christmas brochure, which will be delivered across the district in the coming weeks and can be found in tourism offices across Ilkley, Haworth, Keighley and Bradford.

The pages of the brochure will come to life in every corner of the district, including the Broadway’s Festive Launch, the Ilkley Teepees, Saltaire’s Living Advent Calendar and the Torchlight Weekend in Haworth.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “It’s phenomenal to see the return of this extremely successful initiative showcasing the many amazing events across the district for people to enjoy.

“There are some fabulous things to see and take part in over the coming weeks, from the ever-popular Victorian Christmas Market at the Bradford Industrial Museum, the famous Alhambra pantomime, the Winter Wonderland event at Bolling Hall and new for this year the Bradford Christmas Fayre and Lantern Parade, and so much more – all easily accessible online or in the brochure.”

As part of the initiative, visitors are encouraged to take part in the Christmas trail.

Large Christmas cards created by Sand in Your Eye will be displayed in six locations from November and a hidden letter must be found at each location, creating an anagram to be solved.

The winner will receive £200 in vouchers for The Broadway and will be announced on Friday, January 3.

Each week, £50 will be given for the best selfie submitted on social media using the hashtag #SparklingBradfordSelfie.

For more information follow #SparklingBradford and @VisitBradford on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, search Sparkling Bradford online or visit www.visitbradford.com/sparklingbradford.