BRADFORD Council in partnership with local artists, event organisers and businesses is to stage a series of entertaining free events and colourful street art to welcome people back to the district’s town’s and village’s high streets.

Spring Back 2022 will see Ilkley families encouraged to say goodbye to winter and welcome in the spring as the town’s streets burst into life with a free outdoor celebration event for the all ages.

The Ilkley Family Takeover on Saturday, March 26 will have giant puppets, sword fighting, music, story explorer trails and live window painting. Find the event at the South Hawksworth Street car park.

A Witches and Wizards family event in Haworth (March 19) will feature the country’s top lookalikes inspired by the world of Harry Potter and complete with quirky street theatre and broom flying classes.

Keighley town centre will be transformed into a fantastic retro shopping experience and brought to life by local artists at the K-Town Shopper - Keighley Alternative Department Store and Arts Trail on March 26 and 27.

Locals and visitors will be able to step back into the golden years of retail at the alternative department store which will offer unique products stocked by independent businesses.

People can also sample some delicious local craft food and drinks.

And Shipley and Bingley will host their first outdoor beer festivals.

Ale lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy the best keg and cask beers brewed in Bradford and toast our local microbrewery heroes at Sup (12 and 19 March).

Award winning food will be on offer and Sup will be held under covered marquees.

Bradford Council has commissioned lots of local artists to install colourful and creative artworks to brighten up the district’s town’s high streets.

Spring Back 2022 has been made possible thanks to the Welcome Back Fund, which is funding from the England European Regional Development Fund.

This complements a range of activities and events staged over the last few months to support Bradford’s high streets and local businesses including the Summer Unlocked food and drink weekender and LiT.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to fund so many great events taking place across the district and in our towns and villages.

“These fantastic free events are designed to get people back to visiting the places they love and are paid for with money we secured from the European Development Fund.

“They should add colour, energy and atmosphere to the district’s town’s high streets and there is something here for everyone.”

For more information, visit www.visitbradford.com/SpringBack2022

For the latest updates follow Bradford Council on Twitter and Facebook and search #SpringBack2022.