Leeds Road Festival and Stage Ready South Asia: A Cultural Sector Lunch

We would be delighted if you could join us for lunch and participate in conversations with colleagues from across Bradford’s cultural sector in the week of Leeds Road Festival. You will hear more about the festival and an exciting new creative talent development programme delivered by The Leap.

Now entering its second year, the Leeds Road Festival has quickly established itself as one of Bradford’s largest community-led celebrations. Led by Bradford businesses with support from The Leap and Bradford Festivals, the 2025 festival welcomed 25,000 visitors and showcased the rich diversity, culture, food, music and entrepreneurial spirit of the Leeds Road area.

The Leeds Road Festival 2026 will kick off on the 9th August with its launch dinner at Bradford Live and will include various events on Leeds Road in the week commencing 10th August before its finale weekend of the 15th & 16th August at Bradford Moor Park. The festival will bring together communities, businesses, artists and audiences for an expanded programme of celebration, creativity and connection.

As the festival develops year on year, we are keen to work with Bradford’s cultural sector to explore how your organisation can play a role in its future growth and impact.

We will also introduce Stage Ready South Asia, a new programme funded by Arts Council England and delivered by The Leap. The programme will identify, nurture and support emerging South Asian musicians and performers, helping them develop their talent, gain industry experience, and access new performance opportunities.

This gathering will provide an opportunity to:

• Learn about the vision and plans for Leeds Road Festival 2026
• Hear about opportunities for artists, cultural organisations and creative practitioners to get involved
• Explore potential partnerships, commissions and collaborative projects for 2027
• Discover the aims and opportunities offered through Stage Ready South Asia
• Meet fellow cultural leaders, artists and community partners from across Bradford

Lunch Details

Venue: Jinnah Restaurant, 109–99 Leeds Road, Bradford BD1 5BL

Date: 13th August 2026

Time: 12pm - 2.15pm

We hope you can join us to help shape the next chapter of Leeds Road Festival and explore how culture, creativity, business and community leadership can work together to create lasting impact across Bradford.

Please accept your invitation by clicking on the black button "Accept Invitation".

Please note  that attendance is by invitation only.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Kind regards

The Leap