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Bradley Walsh, Bill Bailey and Diversity among headline acts for £50m venue’s grand reopening, with more shows to follow

Bradford’s long-awaited live entertainment venue, Bradford Live, will officially open its doors this summer with an eclectic line-up of shows featuring some of the UK’s best-loved performers. Comedy legends Bradley Walsh, Brian Conley, Shane Richie and Joe Pasquale will reunite as The Prat Pack for a one-night-only variety special on 31 August, part of an ambitious opening programme also featuring Bill Bailey, Diversity, Rob Brydon, and a wealth of music, comedy and family events.

The 3,000+ capacity venue has undergone a £50 million restoration, transforming the former Odeon Cinema into what is now billed as “the beating heart of Bradford”. Operated by Trafalgar Entertainment, the venue will play a key role in the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations.

“We wanted to open our brand-new venue Bradford Live with a bang,” said Trafalgar’s Joint CEO & Creative Director Sir Howard Panter, “and what better way to celebrate the occasion than with some of the biggest headline names in comedy, music, variety, and family entertainment.”

Opening highlights and City of Culture collaboration

Kicking off the season on 30 August, Bill Bailey brings his acclaimed Thoughtifier tour to the venue, exploring humanity’s place in a rapidly changing world. The following night, The Prat Pack reunites four titans of British entertainment in a musical-comedy showcase of old-school variety.

Other confirmed dates include Rob Brydon’s festive evening of music and stories on 10 December, an all-star comedy night featuring Phil Wang, Ed Gamble, Lou Sanders, Lucy Beaumont and Jonny Pelham on 4 October, and Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems on 26 September.

Further afield, the venue will welcome Diversity’s new tour Soul in April 2026, and a five-performance run of Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance in June 2026.

Bradford Live also aligns with City of Culture programming. Yorkshire rock stalwarts New Model Army, Terrorvision and Paradise Lost headline Wool City Rockers on 13 December, an event inspired by the city’s 1980s music zine. Meanwhile, Yorkshire Day will see the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra present Yorkshire Calling, a celebration of local culture featuring Ian McMillan and Yuanfan Yang.

Family favourites and festive fun

For younger audiences, Justin Fletcher brings his new live show Justin Time to Rock on 8 November, while Bluey’s Big Play runs 5–7 December, and Slava’s Snowshow brings a whimsical theatrical spectacle to Bradford from 27–30 November.

Closing the year, Elf the Musical arrives just in time for Christmas on 22 and 23 December, bringing festive cheer in a stage adaptation of the popular film, complete with Santa’s sleigh flying across the auditorium.

“Bradford Live isn’t just a great venue for Bradford, it’s one for the whole of the UK,” said Panter. “It will be up there with the best of the best.”

Originally opened in the 1930s, the building served as a cinema before closing in 2000. The newly restored Art Deco site now promises to be a cultural and economic cornerstone for the city, featuring live music, comedy, theatre, family entertainment and more throughout the year.

Tickets for all shows are on sale now, with more artists and events to be announced over the coming weeks.

Bradford Live – Listings at a Glance

August 2025
? 30 August 2025 – Bill Bailey: Thoughtifier
? 31 August 2025 – The Prat Pack – Bradley Walsh, Brian Conley, Shane Richie & Joe Pasquale

September 2025
? 26 September 2025 – Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems

October 2025
? 4 October 2025 – Bradford Live and Laughing – Phil Wang, Ed Gamble, Lou Sanders, Lucy Beaumont & Jonny Pelham
? 31 October 2025 – Steve Backshall: Deadly Live!

November 2025
? 8 November 2025 – Justin Fletcher: Justin Time to Rock
? 16 November 2025 – Clare Teal & The Clare Teal 5
? 27–30 November 2025 – Slava’s Snowshow

December 2025
? 5–7 December 2025 – Bluey’s Big Play
? 10 December 2025 – Rob Brydon and His Fabulous Band
? 13 December 2025 – Wool City Rockers – New Model Army, Terrorvision, Paradise Lost & guests
? 22–23 December 2025 – Elf the Musical

2026
? 29 April 2026 – Diversity: Soul Tour (on sale 9 May 2025)
? 11–14 June 2026 – Lord of the Dance: 30th Anniversary Tour (on sale 9 May 2025)

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