Date:
16 July 2026 7:53pm WAT
The Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA) will return from 3rd to 8th, August, bringing together artists, performers, filmmakers, academics, entrepreneurs and communities for six days of creativity, cultural exchange and international collaboration across Bradford.
Made possible through investment from Arts Council England using public funding from the National Lottery, BAFA 2026 is inspired by this year’s theme, “Nkosoo” – meaning advancement and progress and presents a dynamic programme celebrating the richness, diversity and innovation of African arts and culture.
The festival starts on Monday, August 3 at the University of Bradford with an opening ceremony and a contemporary African Art Exhibition, featuring artists from diverse cultural backgrounds whose works explore the theme of advancement and progress through unique artistic perspectives.
On Tuesday 4 August, the programme begins at The Events Place with the Yorkshire Film Festival, celebrating independent filmmaking and providing a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work, exchange ideas and engage with audiences.
The programme then continues at the National Science and Media Museum with the African Film Festival, featuring a carefully curated selection of films from across Africa and the diaspora, highlighting the continent’s rich storytelling traditions, diverse voices and contemporary cinematic excellence.
On Wednesday August 5, audiences will experience an evening of African theatre and live stage performances, showcasing powerful stories, dramatic performances and contemporary productions that celebrate Africa’s rich storytelling traditions.
The programme continues on Thursday, August 6 with the African Fashion and Pageantry Showcase, where designers, creatives and models will celebrate African textiles, craftsmanship, identity and contemporary fashion.
On Friday, August 7, the African Open Market Day will bring together businesses, artisans, entrepreneurs and food vendors, creating opportunities to discover African products, support local enterprises and experience authentic cuisine from across the continent.
The festival reaches its climax on Saturday, August 8 with Festival Day at Centenary Square, where thousands of visitors are expected to gather for a day of live music, dance, cultural performances, fashion showcases, family entertainment, an African marketplace, authentic cuisine and community celebrations, reflecting the vibrancy and diversity of African cultures.
Festival Director Dr Olushola Kolawole (OAK) said: “BAFA has evolved into a platform that celebrates creativity while creating opportunities for learning, collaboration and cultural exchange.
“Each day of the festival has been intentionally designed to showcase a different dimension of African excellence, giving audiences the opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of African arts and culture in meaningful and engaging ways.”
Earlier this month, BAFA strengthened its international profile through a two-day programme of diplomatic and cultural engagement in London, delivered in collaboration with the University of Bradford, building new partnerships with African diplomatic missions and reinforcing Bradford’s growing role as a centre for international cultural exchange.
Project Manager Gloria Eyieyien added: “BAFA 2026 reflects the many ways arts and culture can bring people together. From visual arts and film to theatre, fashion, music and enterprise, the programme has been designed to celebrate creativity while creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to connect, learn from one another and experience the richness of African cultures.”
Now in its third edition, the Bradford African Festival of Arts continues to strengthen Bradford’s reputation as a city where culture, creativity and international collaboration flourish, creating new opportunities for artists, audiences and communities to connect through the arts.
