If you have a ticket that is.

Thousands have got theirs - and the Bradford 2025 website now says they are sold out, external.

But, you can join a waiting list - and you never know, as we've seen tonight magic does sometimes happen.

BBC News in Yorkshire will be covering many of the other events taking place over the next 12 months and you'll be able to read about them online, see them on Look North and listen to them on Radio Leeds.

Thanks for your time today - and wrap up warm if you plan on attending tomorrow.

Charles Heslett
BBC News in Bradford

They did it.

Despite freezing temperatures, the launch of Bradford City of Culture 2025 warmed the heart.

From spectacular speeches high up on scaffolding by spoken word poet Kirsty Taylor to a marvellous magic show by Steven Frayne, formerly Dynamo.

Even throw in a live orchestra hidden in a nearby office and a choir on the steps of the magistrates’ courts just to complete the spectacle.

Rise had everything and the thousands huddled up in their hats and scarves in City Park were suitably impressed.

As one Bradfordian said afterwards, “It’s on again tomorrow and we’re thinking about coming back!”

A great way to start this year of culture.

Image source, BBC/Adam Laver

Reacting to Steve Frayne's act, Saadiqah Begum says she wants to know the secrets to the magician's impressive tricks.

The 28-year-old said: "It was so much fun to watch. I just want to know how he did it."

Along with friend Olga Biela, the pair said they had a great night and loved the show.

Ian Youngs
Culture reporter, BBC News

That was quite a spectacle, a stirring and creative love letter to the city.

Two scaffold towers formed inventive vertical stages - boxes stacked on top of each other in and on which rappers, poets, dancers and acrobats performed, as slogans and visuals of the city and its people were projected onto the front.

The soundtrack of music and verse had a theme of warts-and-all pride, unity, diversity and overcoming adversity. Meanwhile, an orchestra were in the window of the office block overlooking City Square.

Magician Steven Frayne, aka Dynamo, then got a hero's welcome, and his tricks impressed the crowd.

But with remarks about his upbringing and how he started his career by performing street magic where the audience were standing, it was his passion that truly hit home.

Adam Laver
BBC News in Bradford

Image source, BBC/Adam Laver

The scores are in from many of the people who braved the cold to watch Bradford 2025's opening ceremony.

Valerie Hawran, 65, was among the crowd with her husband Teo.

"I thought it was absolutley fantastic. It made me proud to be from Bradford, for once."

Teo, 68, said: "I didn’t know what to expect but when you see the amount of people turning up today it's good for Bradford."

Alex Moss
BBC News, Yorkshire

As the magician's time of stage draws to a close, he tells the crowds that this is the year that Bradford is "really going to shine and make its mark on the world".

He says: "I feel Bradford left such a huge mark on me that I want to finish up leaving my own mark on Bradford."

He then mesmerises the crowds with his final trick and music blares out and the lights crash on, bathing spectators in illuminated glows.

Alex Moss
BBC News, Yorkshire

Image source, BBC/Charles Heslett

Steve Frayne tells the crowds: "All of my ideas started in Bradford.

"I'm genuinely so proud to be from Bradford and I'm never losing my Yorkshire accent.

"When I went to London, they were trying to get me to lose it if I wanted to be on TV but after all these years I've still got it."

Alex Moss
BBC News, Yorkshire

Image source, BBC/Jacob Tomlinson

"This is our city," Steven Frayne tells fans as he works with members of the audience.

He's involving more and more people as his show goes on.

Large screens around the crowds mean everyone can see.

Image source, BBC/Nicola Rees

Image source, BBC/Charles Heslett

As the magician continues his act, the story of how he became the master of his trade is being told on stage by a young Stephen Frayne, played by a young boy called Dorian.

As the story of his childhood comes to an end, the magician shows pictures of the people who "mean the world to me".

On a large screen we begin to see snapshots of his nan and grandpa who taught him magic.

Image source, Getty Images

To the sounds of cheers, Bradford-born magician Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo, has appeared on the stage.

He tells the crowd he wants to draw attention to a box on stage as he begins to entertain and mesmerise the crowds.

He tells the audience that it was right in the middle of the crowd where he started doing his street magic.

The crowd falls silent as he begins to talk.

Image source, BBC/Nicola Rees

A group of singers called Ordinary People perform in cubes bathed in light in front of an awe-struck crowd.

Image source, BBC/Nicola Rees

Alex Moss
BBC News, Yorkshire

Image source, BBC/Charles Heslett

Crowds are watching the aerial displays with dancers performing in the towering cubes while singers take to the main stage.

The cheering crowds have been silenced as they watch the impressive displays.

Adam Laver
BBC News in Bradford

Image source, BBC/Adam Laver

Amy Garcia
Presenter, BBC Look North

Image source, BBC/Adam Laver

A choir made up of four other choirs is performing and it's given me goosebumps.

It's an amazing sight.

Alex Moss
BBC News, Yorkshire

Image source, BBC/Charles Heslett

The stage so far has come alive with dancers, rappers and the voices of Bradfordians reciting what it means to live in their city.

One voice tells the crowd: "Bradford means everything to me".

Amy Garcia
Presenter, BBC Look North

So, it turns out that as well as being one of the creators of the show Steven Frayne is a key part of it.

The magician, formerly known as Dynamo, is performing for thousands of hometown fans as part of the show.

Here more about his hopes for the show and the year in general.

Alex Moss
BBC News, Yorkshire

Image source, BBC/Charles Heslett

The show is underway as Bradford-born poet Kirsty Taylor appears from within the crowds to recite her poem telling the story of Bradford.

Image source, BBC/Jacob Tomlinson

Thousands of people are in Bradford's City Park ready see Rise, the opening show in the City of Culture year.

This is going to be a "once in a generation" year, creative director Shanaz Gulzar told us.

Image source, BBC/Jacob Tomlinson

Charles Heslett
BBC News in Bradford

Image source, BBC/Charles Heslett

Ready and waiting for Rise to start are three friends who are excited for the night's main event.

Alex Croft, 46, said: "Hopefully it will achieve what it aims to, which is that people across the district will get inspired by art and culture and the world is going to sit up and take note of Bradford and who we are.

"People have made the effort to come out because I think people know how special it's going to be."

Noor Nanji
BBC Culture reporter in Bradford

No, we've not gone mad, standing here in the freezing cold temperatures.

That's what Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It may be really cold but this is the hottest place to be in terms of culture," he says.

When asked whether City of Culture really works, the answer was a resounding yes.

"I lived in Hull - it changed the way people felt about the place," he says, referring to a previous City of Culture.