What’s on

Discover what’s on at Bradford Museums and Galleries venues.

Exhibitions

A historical outdoor portrait of four men in traditional Somali dress, with Sultan Ali standing beside three bodyguards holding spears and shields, in front of a tree and tent-like structure.

9 May 2026 – 1 November 2026

This exhibition revisits a key moment in Bradford’s history: the 1904 Great Exhibition in Lister Park.

A colourful collage-style illustration combining overlapping silhouettes of tools, objects, and symbols in blue, yellow, pink, and grey. Items include a boot, bucket, axe, chisel, spade, pliers, a bird, a crowned female head, and various hand tools, arranged in an abstract layered composition.
Bradford Industrial Museum

3 May 2026 – 18 November 2026

Celebrate some of the many crafts that have taken place in the Bradford District

a painting of an arab weaver, sat in the open area inside house, surrounded by thread and fabric and other figures.

28 March 2026 – 31 December 2026

Large scale paintings from the 18th Century onwards

Items from Fountains Cafe - table, mural, painting etc
Bradford Industrial Museum

13 February 2025 – 13 February 2027

This display at Bradford Industrial Museum showcases iconic and recognisable objects from the well-known and much-loved Fountains Café, Bradford

Current Events

Four people in colourful costumes
Bolling Hall Museum

31 October 2026 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Celebrate Halloween with Hyacinths at Bradford’s Bolling Hall

Bradford Industrial Museum

31 October 2026 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Celebrate Halloween with a spooky trail, skeleton rat hunt, crafts, face painting, ghosts in the machines and a disco.

Bradford Industrial Museum

31 October 2026 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Give your clothes a second life at this creative upcycling workshop for teens. Learn embroidery and visible mending techniques, customise your wardrobe and transform old favourites into something new.

Big band in purple Stroke Association shirts performing under a white tent with brass instruments and a vocalist in front.
Bradford Industrial Museum

15 November 2026 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Enjoy free live music at Bradford Industrial Museum.

Cliffe Castle Museum

15 November 2026 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Hear Bradford Music and Arts Service students perform live at Cliffe Castle Museum, with free performances in the Grand Drawing Room and Bracewell Smith Hall.

Bradford Industrial Museum

19 November 2026 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Babies and toddlers are invited to take over museum's jobs for a day.

Young
Bolling Hall Museum

21 November 2026 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Help us Deck the Halls! Create a Christmas decoration to take home or add to Bolling Hall’s tree, with traditional Victorian festive music too.

Cliffe Castle Museum

22 November 2026 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Enjoy free live music from Bradford Voices at Cliffe Castle.

Bradford Industrial Museum

28 November 2026 10:00 am – 29 November 2026 4:00 pm

Step into the festive season with a weekend of Christmas shopping, handmade crafts, unique gifts, delicious treats and local creativity.

Cliffe Castle Museum

28 November 2026 2:00 pm – 29 November 2026 4:00 pm

Solve a musical mystery with The Minstrel’s Curse, a free mini opera for children aged 5+ and their families at Cliffe Castle Museum.

Bradford Industrial Museum

5 December 2026 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Celebrate the launch of DNA Tapestries, meet BDMG’s Young Ambassadors and explore a new youth-led exhibition inspired by Bradford’s heritage and creativity.

Bradford Industrial Museum

5 December 2026 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Learn how to use a sewing machine and transform old clothing or fabric into a unique handmade bag. A fun, practical introduction to upcycling for ages 13-19.

Christmas Tree by a malachite chimney piece (Green and gold)
Cliffe Castle Museum

5 December 2026 11:00 am – 6 December 2026 3:00 pm

Christmas magic returns to Cliffe Castle! Browse festive craft stalls, find unique gifts, and meet Father Christmas in the Grand Drawing Room for a truly magical day out.

Bradford Industrial Museum

13 December 2026 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Enjoy free live music from Nightflyers Big Band at Bradford Industrial Museum.

Father Christmas sat on a gold charge, in front of a CHristmas tree and a large green (malachite) Chimneypiece
Cliffe Castle Museum

12 December 2026 11:00 am – 13 December 2026 3:00 pm

Father Christmas returns to Cliffe Castle! Book a magical festive visit in the beautiful Grand Drawing Room.

Cliffe Castle Museum

20 December 2026 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Enjoy free live music from Craven Accordion Orchestra at Cliffe Castle.

Bradford Industrial Museum

9 January 2027 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Turn an unloved item of clothing into something you'll want to wear again. Use creative upcycling techniques to refresh your wardrobe and develop new sewing skills. Suitable for ages 13-19.

Bradford Industrial Museum

27 February 2027 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Bradford Industrial Museum Wool Festival returns with textile stalls, demonstrations, crafts, live music, food and more.

Regular Activities

A four‑image collage showing views of the Bradford Industrial Museum. Top left: an indoor café with wooden floors, metal tables and chairs, framed pictures on the walls, and a service counter at the back. Top right: a brick exterior doorway marked “Main Entrance” in blue and white signage. Bottom left: the full exterior of a large multi‑storey stone mill building with tall windows and a matching “Main Entrance” sign above the door. Bottom right: a person indoors wearing a black shirt with a “Bradford Industrial Museum” logo.
Bradford Industrial Museum

Join us every month for Conversation Cafe, where we have a cuppa, a chat, and there will always be something going on to enjoy

Bradford Industrial Museum

Every first Saturday of the month, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”

young family playing outside, with tools and pinecones. Bolling Hall in the background
Bolling Hall Museum

Every third Wednesday of the month, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

staff serving a customer

Every Wednesday

Join us weekly for fun board games at the Refreshment Room café.

Every other Sunday

Enjoy a cosy Sunday escape for book lovers

Bradford Industrial Museum

Every Wednesday and Sunday

Discover blacksmithing and metalworking in action and explore this craft here at Bradford Industrial Museum.

a young child in a white gallery space, looking through a tube at the viewee

Every second Friday of the month

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

Cliffe Castle Museum

Every fourth Thursday of the month

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Visit the Mill Owner’s House with Mr Moore.

Past Events

30 October 2026 10:00 am – 7:30 pm

Make a lantern at Cartwright Hall, then join a magical evening parade through Lister Park featuring illuminated puppets, live music and a theatrical finale.

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

30 October 2026 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Visit the Mill Owner’s House with Mr Moore.

Cliffe Castle Museum

30 October 2026 12:20 pm – 2:40 pm

A multi-sensory experience for children aged 4–12, featuring sparkling crystals, sound, movement, fabrics, textures and collaborative creativity.

Cliffe Castle Museum

30 October 2026 11:00 am – 11:50 am

A multi-sensory experience for children and young people aged 8–17 with PMLD, featuring rocks, crystals, movement, sound, textures and collaborative sculpture.

29 October 2026 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Enjoy a free family day celebrating nature with wildlife activities, walks, talks and workshops.

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

29 October 2026 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Visit the Mill Owner’s House with Mr Moore.

Bolling Hall Museum

28 October 2026 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Experience Bolloween with eerie tours, spell-making activities, spooky surprises and an evening of Halloween fun.

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

28 October 2026 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Visit the Mill Owner’s House with Mr Moore.

staff serving a customer

28 October 2026 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Join us weekly for fun board games at the Refreshment Room café.

Cliffe Castle Museum

27 October 2026 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Celebrate Diwali with free family activities including animal yoga, lantern making and colourful rangoli-inspired designs.

Cliffe Castle Museum

25 October 2026 11:00 am – 3:30 pm

Slow down with Tai Chi, crafts, wellbeing walks, slow art, a seasonal tea ceremony and a phone photography walk.

Bradford Industrial Museum

25 October 2026 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Discover blacksmithing and metalworking in action and explore this craft here at Bradford Industrial Museum.

Donate

Your donations are really important to us and we welcome any support you can offer.

Volunteer

Would you like to volunteer at Bolling Hall Museum?
Find out more on how to become a volunteer.

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