A BRADFORD festival has been hailed a "massive success" after drawing an estimated crowd of 65,000 people to the weekend events.
The Leeds Road Festival 2026, held in Bradford Moor Park, transformed the area into a lively celebration of music, dance, food, and culture, with headline performances from Abrar Ul-Haq and a vibrant showcase of Punjabi and Pakistani music.
Now in its second year, the festival has quickly become a highlight on Bradford’s cultural calendar.
Saleem Ahktar, co-founder of the Leeds Road Festival, said: "After the immense success of our inaugural festival in 2025, we pulled out all the stops to ensure we were back bigger and better for 2026.
"The crowds that gathered in Moor Park on Saturday and Sunday even surpassed our high expectations, in a fitting tribute to the Leeds Road area and the immense economic impact it delivers to the city and wider region.
"The festival would not be possible without the hard work, dedication and energy from hundreds of volunteers, who made this year’s event something that will stay in the memory for a very long time.
"The organisers would also like to play tribute to our fantastic corporate and civic supporters, without whom we could not deliver something on this scale."
Leeds Road Festival attracted 65,000 people
(Image: Israr Ahmed)
Events took place on Leeds Road and included fringe activities that highlighted the businesses and communities that drive the area’s success.
Leeds Road is known for its South Asian cuisine and fashion outlets, especially those catering to the wedding market.
Sponsors of the 2026 festival included Regal Foods, Incommunities, Yorkshire Building Society, The Bradford Culture Company, Yorkshire Water, and P&B Foods.
Mani Bhatoa, director at P&B Foods, said: “The Leeds Road Festival represents so much of what makes Bradford special. Its diversity, its energy and above all its sense of community.
"Heera is proud to support an event that brings people of all backgrounds and generations together to celebrate, enjoy great food and entertainment, and experience the very best of this city.”
Entertainment was at the forefront of Leeds Road Festival
(Image: Israr Ahmed)
A special addition for 2026 was a showcase of Bradford’s foodservice and wholesale sector, highlighting its contribution to the region’s economy.
The festival launched with an opening event at Bradford Live on Sunday, August 9, attended by business, civic, and community leaders.
ICE Drinks, one of the festival sponsors, reported distributing more than 20,000 Lemon Ice Mojitos and using 1.5 tonnes of ice over the weekend.