BEER festivals in two towns, a Harry Potter themed event and a nostalgic shopping celebration are among the events planned to draw people back to towns after the pandemic.

Titled Spring Back 2022, the series of events has been organised by Bradford Council, artists, event organisers and local businesses - and it is being funded by the EU.

Over the course of two Saturdays there will be two outdoor beer festivals, one in Shipley Market Square (March 12) and another the next week in Bingley (March 19).

Titled Sup - the festivals will have beers from local brewers as well as local food and music.

Both events run from noon to 10pm.

A Witches and Wizards family event in Haworth held on March 19 will feature lookalikes inspired by the world of Harry Potter and include broom flying classes against the backdrop of the historic village.

People will be encouraged to dress up to be ‘a little scary and brilliant’ and there will be lots of entertaining and mystical outdoor theatre and an opportunity to create ‘powerful potions’.

Those attending will be able to follow a map and collect stamps to uncover surprising and unexpected happenings amongst Haworth’s atmospheric streets.

Up to two children dressed as Harry Potter characters will enjoy free heritage train rides on the Worth Valley Railway when accompanied by an adult with a Day Rover ticket.

Keighley town centre will be transformed into a fantastic retro shopping experience and brought to life by local artists at the K-Town Shopper - Keighley Alternative Department Store and Arts Trail on March 26 and 27.

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Locals and visitors will be able to step back into the golden years of retail at the alternative department store which will offer unique products stocked by independent businesses.

People can also sample local craft food and drinks.

In Ilkley families will be encouraged to say goodbye to winter and welcome in the spring as the town’s streets burst into life with a free outdoor celebration event for the all ages.

The Ilkley Family Takeover on March 26 will have giant puppets, sword fighting, music, story explorer trails and live window painting.

The Council has also commissioned local artists to install colourful and creative artworks to brighten up the district’s town’s high streets.

Spring Back 2022 has been made possible thanks to the Welcome Back Fund, which is funding from the EU's England European Regional Development Fund.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to fund so many great events taking place across the district and in our towns and villages.

“These fantastic free events are designed to get people back to visiting the places they love and are paid for with money we secured from the European Development Fund.

“They should add colour, energy and atmosphere to the district’s town’s high streets and there is something here for everyone.”

For more information, visit www.visitbradford.com/SpringBack2022