WINTER is coming to Bradford city centre – in the shape of Bradford BID’s magical two-day Ice Carnival.

The Business Improvement District is staging the free event this coming weekend (November 18 and 19) with a chilly mix of ice sculptures, funfair rides, live music, street performers and more.

The events take place from 11am to 7pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday.

Ten amazing ice sculptures will be on show around Centenary Square.

They are being produced by the sculpting wizards at creative arts organisation Sand In Your Eye.

The Hebden Bridge-based craftsmen will also be carrying out a live ice sculpture carve at 11am.

It will be a thrill to watch, with chain saws and chisels whirring and ice spraying as they transform solid blocks of ice into a spectacular ice throne, which visitors will be able to sit on for a special festive selfie.

Alongside the ice sculptures, there will be a free funfair for young children, street performers and live music throughout the day. And the entertainment continues with an evening carnival live show at 6pm.

The stage programme kicks off at 2pm with a performance by the winners of a talent show run by Elevate Promotions at ReWired on North Parade, featuring singers, poets, comedians and other performers.

They are followed an hour later by a 45-minute set by the Love Pop Choir, a singing group for “ladies who are passionate about pop!”

The choir, which has groups based in Saltaire, Ilkley, Otley, Farsley, Cookridge, Roundhay and Harrogate, perform a mix of old and new pop songs, with a splash of rock and a dash of musical theatre.

Next up is DJ AJ, who takes to the stage at 4pm.

Sunday’s entertainment features more local bands and artists, including Jack O’Malley (1pm), Tom Masters (2pm) and Raven Kits (3pm).

The Ice Carnival is organised and funded by Bradford BID and is run by a team of four (full and part-time) staff and volunteera. Last month it won a second five-year term which will see it continue its work until at least 2028.

Bradford BID project officer Leanne Holmes said: “The BID Ice Carnival is the third of the city’s big weekends – following Bradford is Lit and the City Centre Lights Switch On – which are aimed at getting everyone in the mood for a fantastic festive season!

“It’s a great opportunity to come and see how much Bradford city centre has to offer and have some fun while you get stuck into the annual task of Christmas shopping.”