Bradford and Ilkley have secured the opportunity to jointly host the prestigious Yorkshire Day civic event in 2025. Yorkshire Day, a cherished tradition celebrated on August 1st each year and organised by the Yorkshire Society, honours the rich heritage, history, landscapes, culture, and people of this remarkable county.
The event is historically hosted in different cities each year, with Rotherham being the current year’s host. With Bradford designated as the City of Culture in 2025, it’s a natural and fitting choice for the city to also take on the responsibility of hosting the Yorkshire Day celebrations.
This will mark the third occasion that Bradford has had the privilege of hosting the festivities, having previously done so in 1997 and 2005. Furthermore, for the first time in Yorkshire Day’s history, Bradford will share the hosting honours with Ilkley, the home of the beloved unofficial Yorkshire anthem ‘On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at.
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport said; “Not only is Bradford the host of UK City of Culture 2025 it is also the youngest city in the UK, the home of a UNESCO world heritage site, the curry capital of Britain, the world’s first UNESCO city of film and of course it’s home to one of the warmest receptions you could ever hope for in Yorkshire. Full of Yorkshire and Bradford pride, 2025 will be the year for Bradford District to showcase its heritage, culture and hospitality to the rest of the country and the world.”
Helen Rhodes, Manager of the Ilkley Business Improvement District said, “We’re delighted to be working with Bradford Council planning the joint hosting of Yorkshire Day 2025. Ilkley, named The Times Best Place To Live In The UK in 2022, has a wealth of attractions from the famous outdoor lido, the iconic Cow and Calf rocks, the moorland and many historical attractions. The opportunity to have a joint event will give us the ability to highlight the true diversity of the Bradford district.”
Phillip Bell, Chief Executive of the Yorkshire Society said, “We are delighted Bradford wants to make the Yorkshire Day Civic Celebration a key part of its UK City of Culture 2025 activities. Our official civic celebration event has grown year on year and is now an important part of the Yorkshire calendar. I am sure Bradford will make Yorkshire Day 2025 a genuine day to remember and the official civic celebration a fitting centrepiece for it.”
Bradford and Ilkley’s Yorkshire celebrations will commence on Friday 1st August 2025 and will showcase the food, music and culture of Bradford, whilst also taking in the breathtaking beauty of Ilkley Moor via Bronte Country, Howarth.
