An interactive loom where you can weave into a tapestry; a glass installation telling the stories of people in Bradford; and images from the city and District captured in stitches are just three of the amazing events and installations coming to Bradford Cathedral as part of the ‘Weaving Stories’ season running from May to mid-September 2025.

Other highlights include a series of tours to discover more about the textiles and stained glass in Bradford Cathedral; free family activities during the school holidays; and a wide range of concerts and music events covering many different styles.

You are also invited to regular and one-off services; talks; and live theatre, including the annual Shakespeare production.

Copies of the brand new What’s On guide for Bradford Cathedral are available now from the Cathedral; The Broadway; Midland Hotel; City Vaults; City Hall; and the Bradford 2025 ticket office, as well as many more venues around the City, District and West Yorkshire soon. It can also be downloaded from the Bradford Cathedral website.

The booklet includes many of the things happening over the next few months: please see below for some of the highlights coming up at Bradford Cathedral.

Weaving Stories

Weaving Stories (5th May – 15th Sep) – all are invited to use the loom to weave into a tapestry that will then be displayed from February 2026. The installation includes a soundscape telling the stories of mill workers, and those visiting are invited to tell their own storiesThe Knitting Pilgrim (7th May) – A one-man show covering an artistic and spiritual journey with three huge hand-knitted panels called ‘Stitched Glass’Airedale Stitchers – Our Bradford (12th May – 20th June) – Images of what Bradford means to members of the group, with the images represented in a variety of textile techniquesKnit the Stripes (1st July – 28th August) – A 15-metre-long warming stripe display that charts our changing temperature from the 1850s to the presentWoven Lives (8th July – 1st September) – A powerful artwork using woven coloured glass and symbols, lit from within, telling the lives and stories of the people of Bradford

Tours

Discover more about the Cathedral’s history, the building and its features in our general guided tours on the 5th May, 5th June and 31st JulyMore will be revealed about our ecclesiastical textiles during specialist guided tours, with access to some rarely-seen textiles from the Cathedral’s collection, on the 10th May, 12th June and 11th JulyFind out about our early William Morris & Co. stained glass collection at specialist stained glass guided tours on the 26th May, 17th July and 9th August‘Crafting the Cathedral’, a two-day festival of textiles and other crafts, featuring information, hands-on experiences, exhibitions and a Cathedral “craft tour” – for crafting groups, crafters, families and the general public – will take place take place on the 11th and 12th July,

Music

New Music Biennial (6th and 7th June) – as part of the city-wide eventVisiting Choir: The Hope Street Consort (17th August)Weekly free Organ Recitals (7th, 14th, May, 4th June – 9th July)

Concerts

We welcome back the Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company for their ‘Art of Andalucia’ flamenco dance concert (16th May)The Pilgrim Cello performs a ‘Meditation on the Seven Last Words of Jesus’ (23rd May)The London Concertante present ‘A Night at the Opera by Candlelight’ (24th May) and ‘Music from the Movies by Candlelight’ (28th June)There is ‘The Magic of Whitney’ performed by Britain’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer Winner Taryn Charles (31st May)Bradford Festival Choral Society present ‘Echoes of Eternity: Music for Choir and Organ’ (14th June)Bradford’s Chordiality Choir and the National Festival Orchestra perform Fauré Requiem (12th July)

Worship

All are invited for services on Ascension Day, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, and the Patronal Festival, as well as a Self-Supporting Ministry Celebration Service, Episcopal ordinations, and a Full Choral Foundation at the end of the choir term

Other Events

The national Cathedrals Cycle Relay launches at Bradford Cathedral (24th May)Baroness Sayeeda Warsi is in conversation as part of ‘Re:Imagine Faith Conversations’ (5th July)We host performances as part of the European Festival of Latvian Culture (18th July)ACT Shakespeare return to perform in the Cathedral grounds, this year with ‘The Tempest’ (18th – 20th July)

Family Events

There are free family activities during half-term (27th May) and the summer holidays (29th July)Churches Count on Nature returns on the 7th June where you decorate a bug hotel and more!

And also…

You are also invited to the monthly Monday Fellowship gatherings at 2pm in the de Lacy Centre covering a wide variety of topics including ‘Yorkshire: The Confectionary Capital of the UK’ (12th May), “Marriage, Money and Climate Change – reflections on visiting a Christian Aid project in rural Bangladesh” (9th June); and ‘Antarctica: Wilderness at the Edge of the World’ (14th July).

The monthly Bradford Faith Trail, as featured on the BBC1 “Sunday Morning Live” programme, also continues on the first Saturday of every month.

The Bradford Cathedral Choir will be singing at St. Paul’s Cathedral on the 13th May, and touring in Shropshire later that month, and National Walking Month during May will be marked by a series of walks and pilgrimages. Walks along the Bradford Canal will also depart from the Cathedral each month.

And, finally, you can continue to track the progress of Michael Scott as he creates a model of Bradford Cathedral, via his YouTube channel.

Further Ahead

As well as events from May – August 2025, there are also future concerts happening during the rest of 2025, with G4 performing live on Friday 5th December and the next Black Dyke Band and Bradford Cathedral Choir concert on Friday 12th December. Tickets for both are now available.

The Very Revd Andy Bowerman, Dean of Bradford, says:
“We invite you to immerse yourself in a season of creativity, heritage, and community. This summer’s Weaving Stories programme offers a wealth of opportunities to explore, reflect, and participate in something truly special.

“From the powerful visual storytelling of The Knitting Pilgrim, a unique blend of theatre, craft, and spirituality, to Woven Lives, a luminous artwork celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of our city, this season is packed with inspiring moments. Music lovers can experience the haunting beauty of Echoes of Eternity, an evening of choral and orchestral music, while those with a passion for craft can take part in Crafting the Cathedral: a hands-on exploration of textiles and tradition.

“Alongside these highlights, our Wednesday@One Organ Recitals, guided heritage tours, and thought-provoking talks provide even more ways to engage with Bradford Cathedral as a place of beauty, history, and hospitality. We look forward to welcoming you, whether to add your own thread to the story or simply to enjoy the richness of what this season has to offer.”

Copies of the Bradford Cathedral What’s On can be found at the Cathedral and across the District, or downloaded from bradfordcathedral.org.uk/featured-events, where you can also book your tickets, and find out more about all the events coming up.