THE festive season will kick off in Bradford this weekend when the Christmas lights are switched on and a professional firework display lights up the sky.

Saturday will be a bumper day of fun to mark the occasion – here’s all you need to know about what’s going on.

When will the lights be switched on and is there entertainment?

The action is centred on The Broadway shopping centre with its huge festive launch.

All the action takes place between 12pm and 7pm.

The Christmas light display will be switched on at 6.30pm, but there’ll be plenty to enjoy before then including:

  • Performances from Frozen’s Anna & Elsa at 1pm and 4.40pm on the main stage.
  • A meet and greet with Anna Elsa. These are 30-minute sessions at 1.45pm and 3.15pm outside HMV.
  • Ellie Sax and DJ Harry will perform at 2.10pm and 5.25pm on the main stage.
  • The girls from popular noughties pop band Liberty X will take to the stage at 5.45pm on the main stage ahead of the Christmas lights being switched on.

Tell me more about the huge Bradford firework display

It has been organised by the Bradford Business Improvement District (BID) and will begin at 7pm.

The professionally-organised and delivered display will be accompanied by music and should be visible across the city from within the Ring Road, with some rockets reaching up to 850ft high.

This year’s event will be limited to 12 minutes and will be completely different to last year’s display.

Which roads will be closed and where's the best place to view the display?

There will be fewer road closures this year because the NCP car park on Hall Ings – last year’s launch platform – is now closed ahead of its demolition so the display will be activated from a different site.

The Bradford BID says the best place to view it will be from the Mirror Pool in City Park.

The following roads will be closed from 6.30pm until 7.30pm (but they will be lifted earlier if the event safety officer allows): Bridge Street, immediately after the taxi and pick up entrance up to Croft Street, to maintain access to the Interchange Rank; and Vicar Lane, from Ebenezer Street junction up to Croft Street, allowing full access and egress to and from The Leisure Exchange Car Park. 

In addition there will be stewards marshalling the crossings at the end of Tyrell Street, Market Street and Broadway to assist with people using the pedestrian crossing lights into City Park.