Arts & Music in Bingley

Bingley boasts a vibrant arts and music scene that reflects its rich cultural heritage and dynamic community spirit. From live performances at local venues to art exhibitions showcasing diverse talents, Bingley celebrates creativity in all forms. The town’s historic charm serves as a picturesque backdrop for cultural gatherings, fostering a strong sense of community and inspiration. In Bingley, the arts and music thrive, connecting residents and visitors through shared creative experiences.

1. Organisations promoting the Arts and Music in Bingley

2. Which venues to visit in Bingley to enjoy the Arts and Music?

3. What happened to the Bingley Music Festival?

Below are organisations and clubs which are promoting the Arts and Music in Bingley. In many ways, we are supporting their actions and we want to share what they do with you.

Main Street
Bingley
West Yorkshire
BD16 2LZ
Tel: 01274 567983

What3Words: ///drums.albatross.rivers

Bingley Arts Centre, nestled in the heart of Bingley, is a vibrant hub for theatre, live music, film, and family shows. Managed by Bingley Little Theatre, this community venue boasts a 359-seat auditorium, hosting diverse events from local theatre productions to concerts and workshops. Its welcoming atmosphere and varied programming make it a cultural cornerstone, celebrating artistic expression and community engagement.

29 Park Road
Bingley
BD16 4BQ
Tel: 01274 552143

What3Words: ///dame.mentions.compliant

The Bingley Gallery, situated in Bingley, West Yorkshire, is an artist-led venue showcasing a diverse array of regional artwork. Owned by resident artist David Starley, the gallery features his textured oil paintings alongside pieces from over 35 local artists, including Jane Fielder and L. Amy Charlesworth. The gallery’s eight rooms, spanning two floors, host rotating exhibitions of paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and more.

30c Park Road
Bingley
West Yorkshire
BD16 4JQ
Tel: 01274 512867

What3Words: ///crash.heaven.revised

Five Rise Records is an independent record shop in Bingley, offering a diverse selection of new and pre-owned vinyl. Since 2016, it has been a hub for music lovers, stocking a variety of genres and the latest releases. The shop also buys vinyl collections and hosts occasional live music events. With a welcoming atmosphere and fresh coffee on offer, it’s the perfect spot to browse, discover new music, and connect with fellow enthusiasts.

109-111 Main Street
Bingley
BD16 2HT
Tel: 01274 945 835

What3Words: ///outfitter.probe.blunt

The Craft House in Bingley is a vibrant venue offering expert-led arts and crafts workshops for all skill levels. Visitors can explore various crafts, including crochet, knitting, drawing, painting, glasswork, ceramics, and jewelry making. The ground-floor café serves delicious brunches, lunches, and homemade cakes in a friendly, artistic setting. The Craft House also features a curated selection of handmade art and gifts, making it a hub for creativity and community engagement.

Myrtle Park
Bingley
West Yorkshire
BD16 2LQ

What3Words: ///masts.penned.strutted

The Bandstand in Myrtle Park, Bingley, is an octagonal structure built in 1913, featuring a stone plinth, slender cast iron columns with Ionic capitals, and a Westmorland slate roof topped with a wrought iron finial. Located in the heart of the park, it serves as a focal point for community events, including free summer concerts organized by Bingley Town Council. The Bandstand is part of the vibrant atmosphere of Myrtle Park, which also hosted events like the Bingley Show and Bingley Music Live.

Damart UK & Restaurant 1871
Bowling Green Mills
Lime Street
Bingley
BD97 1AD

What3Words: ///videos.including.sorters

Damart Mill in Bingley played a key role in the arts scene by hosting “Grue," an immersive installation commissioned by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. The event transformed the mill into a magical space, created with recycled materials. Regular exhibitions and workshops are also hosted at their refurbished staff café called Restaurant ‘1871’ or popularly known as the Damart Café. This cafetaria is only opened to the public on such special occasion.

Over the years, the Bingley Music Festival has been known under many different names and was initially held in Myrtle Park, a central and picturesque venue in Bingley. Myrtle Park, with its scenic location beside the River Aire and its proximity to the town center, was integral to the festival’s appeal. Its expansive green spaces made it an ideal spot for large crowds, and its accessibility helped establish the event as a community highlight. Over the years, it hosted major acts such as Calvin Harris, Happy Mondays, the Kaiser Chiefs, and Noel Gallagher, turning it into a significant cultural event in the region.

However, financial and logistical challenges led to the relocation of the festival in 2019 to the Bradford & Bingley Sports Club, a smaller venue outside the town center. This move aimed to manage costs and accommodate changes in infrastructure needs, but it altered the festival’s character, limiting capacity and distancing it from its original community-oriented environment.

Organizers and local leaders have since discussed the potential to return the festival to Myrtle Park, emphasizing its historical significance and suitability for hosting large-scale events. There are ongoing efforts to revive the festival, especially with an eye on Bradford’s UK City of Culture 2025 celebrations, where a return to Myrtle Park could align with broader cultural goals.

In 1991, the Bingley Music Festival debuts as a community-driven event held in Myrtle Park. As a single day event named Music At Myrtle, it rapidly become a platform for local and emerging artists.

In 1998, it became a two-day event with the addition of The Pulse Party in The Park. Promoted by local radio station, Pulse FM it featured contemporary pop acts, such as Rachel Stevens, McFly, Liberty X, Busted and Gareth Gates. In this format, it continued successfully for eight years.

Amid rumours of cancellation, Bradford City Council takes over and the festival takes a new identity under the name of Bingley Music Live and remains held in Myrtle Park. The Charlatans are headlining that year.

The festival begins attracting national and international acts like Happy Mondays, The Undertones, Maxïmo Park, Calvin Harris and Razorlight. It solidifies its reputation as a family-friendly festival with a unique mix of big names and grassroots talent.

Headliners such as Chic featuring Nile Rodgers bring wider recognition to the festival. The Human League, Primal Scream, and Travis also headline during those years. Myrtle Park’s role as the perfect setting is frequently highlighted by attendees and critics alike.

Celebrating a decade of success, the festival features prominent acts including The Kaiser Chiefs and The Wombats. The community spirit and Myrtle Park’s charm are emphasized in reflections on the festival’s growth

As financial and logistical issues mount, 2018 marks the last year the festival is held at its original location. Headliners include Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Jake Bugg

Renamed Bingley Weekender, the event moves to a smaller, more cost-effective venue. Despite a successful relaunch featuring Doves and Ocean Colour Scene, the festival loses some of its unique connection to the town and Myrtle Park

Like many live events worldwide, the festival is canceled for two consecutive years due to the pandemic

The festival resumes at its new location but faces increasing costs. In 2022, Pixies and Rag’n’Bone Man headline, maintaining its tradition of diverse lineups, but financial pressures begin to jeopardize future events. In 2023, under the name Bingley Festival the event has headliners such as Happy Mondays, Noel Gallagher, Ian Brown and Travis

Organizers cancel the 2024 edition due to rising costs and economic uncertainty, with discussions about a potential return to Myrtle Park in 2025 as part of Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations

Have you been to any musical or artistic events in Bingley? Don’t hesitate to give us some feedback by leaving a comment below!