Zee and the City at City Park
Kristy Stott, Theatre EditorVisit now
Zee and the City
Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.
Giant puppet Zee parades into Bradford for a free family spectacular this July, as part of Bradford’s BD:Festival.
School’s out, and what better way to kick off the summer holidays than with a day trip to Bradford for Zee and the City – a joyful, free street spectacle happening as part of BD:Festival, a full weekend celebrating Bradford’s City of Culture 2025.
The star of the show? A four-metre-tall puppet named Zee – a bold and curious young woman from Bradford, brought to life by acclaimed puppetry pioneers, Puppets with Guts. Towering above the crowd and teeming with personality, Zee will make her way through the city centre in a story that celebrates community spirit and cultural pride.
Puppets with Guts are no strangers to big, bold outdoor theatre. Known for their eye-popping puppetry and epic public performances, the company have wowed audiences everywhere from Glastonbury to the Thames. With Zee and the City, they’re teaming up with Bradford locals to create a homegrown celebration on an epic scale – expect spectacle, sass, and serious puppet power.
As part of the build-up, families can take part in a hands-on Cardboard Car Garage workshop on 25 & 26 July at Bradford’s Kala Sangam Arts Centre. Budding mechanics can design and build their own cardboard cars, which will become part of the live parade alongside Zee – a brilliant opportunity for children to get creative and see their work playing an important part in the celebration.
The parade winds its way to a grand finale in City Park, promising music, movement, and moments of magic. It’s large-scale, lively, and completely free – ideal for families looking for a cultural adventure without the price tag.
While you’re in town, pop into the National Science and Media Museum, newly reopened and home to the interactive exhibition YOU:MATTER. Playful, curious and bursting with colour, it’s a brilliant bonus stop for curious kids and grown-ups alike.
With regular trains from Manchester and all the action within walking distance of the station, Zee and the City makes the perfect day trip – free, spectacular, and powered by giant puppet energy.
