Bradford City of Culture year hits half-way mark - with more to come

The start of July has marked the half-way point of Bradford's year as 2025 UK City of Culture.

So far, the city has been treated to a whole series of special events, including a live performance from hometown magician Stephen Frayne, art exhibitions across the district and a para-orchestra marching through the city.

However, organisers have promised there is still much more to come in the second half of the year, including more live music, a food festival and the prestigious Turner Prize exhibition.

These are just some of the highlights due to take place in Bradford over the coming months:

A stage adaptation of E. Nesbit's classic novel The Railway Children will be performed at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway from 15 July until 7 September.

The heritage line runs steam and diesel trains through the countryside and became famous when it appeared in the 1970 film version of The Railway Children.

Performances will take place twice a day between Wednesdays and Sundays, with tickets costing from £15.

Five-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo will present a special concert in Bradford as part of BBC Proms.

The Beninese-French singer-songwriter will perform at St George's Hall on 7 September, with standing tickets costing from £8 and those for the stalls costing from £18.

The UK's curry capital is hosting the World Curry Festival between 15 and 30 September.

Venues and and line-up will be announced soon, according to the City of Culture team.

The Turner Prize, an annual award for contemporary visual art, is awarded to a British artist, or one working primarily in Britain, for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the preceding year.

Artwork by the shortlisted artists – Nnena Kalu, Rene Matić, Mohammed Sami and Zadie Xa – will feature at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery from 27 September.

The winner will then be announced in Bradford on 9 December.

The CBeebies annual panto be recorded at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford on 11 and 12 October.

Most tickets are sold out for the production of Cinderella, but there a few seats left for the 16:30 BST show on 11 October.

• Loaded Laughs have two stand-up comedy events coming up at The Beacon in July and Loading Bay in August
• BD: Festival returns for a two-day takeover in the city centre on 25 and 26 July
• Shadmanny! - an immersive festival celebrating South Asian wedding culture, kicks off on 10 August with fun workshops ahead of a full weekend celebration in September
• Films such as Everybody Talks About Jamie and Sexy Beast will be at the open-air cinema at Ilkley Lido
• Numerous performances, including those by the likes of Bill Bailey, Rob Brydon and Jo Whiley, will take place at the new Bradford Live venue

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.