The Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA) 2026 is set to return from August 3 to August 8, promising its biggest and most ambitious edition yet with six days of arts, culture, entertainment, and international collaboration across Bradford, United Kingdom.
Supported by Arts Council England through public funding from the National Lottery, this year’s festival is inspired by the theme “Nkosoo,” a Ghanaian word meaning “advancement” and “progress.” The programme aims to celebrate the richness, diversity, and innovation of African arts and culture while promoting cultural exchange and community engagement.
The six-day event will bring together artists, filmmakers, performers, academics, entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders from across Africa, the diaspora, and the United Kingdom.
The festival opens on Monday, August 3, at the University of Bradford with an official opening ceremony and a Contemporary African Art Exhibition, featuring works by artists from diverse cultural backgrounds whose creations explore themes of progress, innovation, and identity.
On Tuesday, August 4, activities begin at The Events Place with the Yorkshire Film Festival, providing a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to showcase independent productions, exchange ideas, and engage with audiences. The day’s programme continues at the National Science and Media Museum, where the African Film Festival will screen a carefully curated selection of films from Africa and the diaspora, highlighting the continent’s vibrant storytelling traditions and cinematic excellence.
The celebration continues on Wednesday, August 5, with an evening of African theatre and live stage performances, featuring dramatic productions and storytelling that reflect Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
On Thursday, August 6, attention shifts to fashion during the African Fashion and Pageantry Showcase, where designers, models, and creatives will present traditional and contemporary African textiles, craftsmanship, and innovative fashion collections.
Friday, August 7, will feature the African Open Market Day, bringing together entrepreneurs, artisans, food vendors, and small businesses to showcase African products, handmade crafts, and authentic cuisine while creating opportunities for trade, networking, and cultural appreciation.
The festival will conclude on Saturday, August 8, with the grand Festival Day at Centenary Square, where thousands of visitors are expected to enjoy live music, dance performances, fashion showcases, family entertainment, an African marketplace, cultural displays, and a wide variety of African cuisines.
Festival Director Dr. Olushola Kolawole (OAK) described BAFA as more than an arts festival, saying it has become a platform that promotes creativity, learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange.
“Each day of the festival has been carefully designed to showcase a different dimension of African excellence, giving audiences an opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of African arts and culture in meaningful and engaging ways,” he said.
Earlier this month, BAFA expanded its international reach through a two-day programme of diplomatic and cultural engagement in London, organised in collaboration with the University of Bradford, helping to strengthen partnerships with African diplomatic missions and reinforce Bradford’s growing reputation as a centre for international cultural exchange.
Project Manager Gloria Eyieyien said the 2026 edition reflects the power of arts and culture to unite people from different backgrounds.
“From visual arts and film to theatre, fashion, music, and enterprise, BAFA 2026 has been designed to celebrate creativity while creating opportunities for people to connect, learn from one another, and experience the richness of African cultures,” she said.
Now in its third edition, the Bradford African Festival of Arts continues to enhance Bradford’s reputation as a thriving cultural hub, providing a platform for artists, audiences, businesses, and communities to celebrate African excellence while fostering international collaboration through the arts.