Nicola Rees
BBC News, Yorkshire

Image source, BBC/Nicola Rees

Among the 200-strong cast performing in Rise are acrobat Callum Donald and circus artist Sadiq Ali, who will be getting Bradford 2025 off to a spectacular start.

Mr Donaldson, from Ilkley, said he was excited about taking to the stage for the first time in his home town.

"I'll mainly be doing acrobatics, tumbling, climbing, basically putting your heart in your mouth kind of stuff."

Mr Ali, who hails from Scotland, said as a visitor to the city it was great to see how the community was coming together for Bradford 2025.

"People are smiling and hugging each other. The colour that’s around the city its quite a special vibe to be a part of and I’m really grateful for that."

Spencer Stokes
Journalist, BBC Look North

There are hopes that the focus on Bradford will bring more money into the city.

Other winners have reported increased initial interest in their cities and hopes that translates into pounds and pence.

But despite the feelgood factor and explosion of creativity, one expert says it is unlikely to have a long-term economic impact.

Paul Swinney, director of policy and research at Centre for Cities, said: "When we look at the impact around the economy, there is not any evidence there is any long-lasting impact."

He said when looking at previous City of Culture winners like Hull and Coventry, "there hasn't been any large revolution to their economies" in the following years.

Pete Allison, BBC Newsbeat

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Newsbeat's been speaking to Sam "Clive" Robinson (pictured left) and Gareth "GK" Kelly (right), two-thirds of Bradford rap trio Bad Boy Chiller Crew. Third member Kane Welsh couldn't make the interview because he was snowed in.

The group have topped the UK Dance Chart, had two top 40 hits and racked up millions of views on TikTok, always wearing their hometown roots proudly.

Clive believes being "raw and genuine" meant that they "stood out to everyone else".

GK says that people in the music industry tried to get them to tone down their "Bradfordness" but they weren't having any of it.

"That isn't us. We couldn't adapt to that," he says. "We won't try to be anybody else."

The two credit Bradford's local music scene with allowing them to experiment and hone their high-energy bassline style. But he says things have "changed drastically" in recent years - and not in a good way.

Despite this, the group think Bradford's 12 months as City of Culture could be an opportunity to show what it's capable of.

"There's so much to offer," says GK.

"I think if everyone pushed together and worked together, it could be really good."

Ian Youngs
Culture reporter, BBC News

David Hockney is Bradford’s greatest artistic son, having grown up and attended art school here.

So it’s no surprise that he’s in the line-up, with a new exhibition in the city’s National Science and Media Museum.

It’s not of his paintings, but shows a few of his film and photographic works, including his multi-screen tour through one section of his beloved East Yorkshire wolds across the seasons; and two “joiner” photo collages that haven’t been shown for about 25 years.

One of them, from 1985, shows the museum itself, which has now reopened for the City of Culture year after a £6m, 18-month refurbishment.

Millie Trenholm
BBC Newsbeat reporter in Bradford

Noor Jahangir has grown up in Bradford and is part of the team for City of Culture.

But she’s also a poet, having begun writing at the age of 14 and says being in Bradford has helped inspire her to explore her culture and Pakistani heritage.

"When I was younger, I was kind of embarrassed, of my skin or my culture. I would be self-aware," Noor, 19, tells BBC Newsbeat.

"I am really appreciative because Bradford’s a beautiful place that has allowed me to stay connected to my culture and learn."

She says she is able to ask questions and talk to her family about "exploring identity".

"Now I’ve grown up, I realise that diversity is beautiful," she says.

Amy Garcia
Presenter, BBC Look North

So, the City of Culture is a big deal - but why?

For one of Bradford's most famous sons, it means people of all ages in the city will get new opportunities.

Magician Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo, has been a key part of creating tonight's event.

He says that bringing attention to the city will help realise the ambitions of local people.

Alex Moss
BBC News, Yorkshire

Image source, BBC/Jacob Tomlinson

The stage is set for tonight's opening ceremony which is expected to draw in thousands of people.

Despite temperatures of around -3C being forecast for Rise, the curtain-raiser for Bradford 2025, the event is expected to be popular.

Image source, BBC/Jacob Tomlinson

The open-air performance in City Park has Bradford-born magician Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo, as its creative lead.

Although temperatures are low, it doesn't appear to have deterred spectators as organisers have said additional tickets had been released for the event due to high demand.

Image source, BBC/Jacob Tomlinson

Image source, BBC/Jacob Tomlinson

Alex Moss
BBC News, Yorkshire

Image source, Karol Wyszynski/PA

Bradford was selected from a record-breaking 20 bids to be named the UK City of Culture.

The city fought off competition from County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough to clinch the title in May 2022.

Judges ​said they ​were impressed by the ambition of Bradford’s bid, which​ ​celebrate​d​ the power of diversity and aim​ed​ to create new opportunities.

Speaking at the time, Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of Bradford 2025, said the city had been "overlooked and underestimated for so long" and it was now its time to shine.

"This is a huge opportunity to celebrate our extraordinary cultural heritage – and for our young, ethnically diverse population, who have been so involved in shaping our bid, to become leaders and changemakers and begin a new chapter in our story."

A UK City of Culture is chosen every four years and has previously been awarded to Derry (2013), Hull (2017) and Coventry (2021).

Bradford's landmark year is set to deliver more than 1,000 new performances and events, including 365 artist commissions, a series of major arts festivals as well as national and international collaborations.

Alex Moss
BBC News, Yorkshire

Image source, Bradford Council

Bradford 2025 kicks off with an outdoor theatrical performance which promises aerialists, dazzling projections, music and magic.

Described as "an open-air spectacular", Rise will see City Park and Centenary Square transformed into the stage for a show which organisers say puts local people at its heart.

Performed over two nights, it has been created by award-winning director Kirsty Housley and Bradford’s very own magician Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo.

It will feature a 200-strong cast including professional performers alongside the people of Bradford as well as a huge community choir and orchestra.

Organisers said the show will explore the themes of heritage, people, place, and magic found in unexpected places.

Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of Bradford 2025, said watching the performance was "a moment for Bradfordians to come and be a part of what is the opening of our city of culture".

She said: "It's that moment of seeing our story, ourselves and recognising that this is really our time."

Gates for the event open at 17:00 GMT on Friday and Saturday with tickets required for access, external.

Good afternoon and welcome to a wintry West Yorkshire.

Bradford is the UK's City of Culture this year and aims to start its 12-month role as cultural capital with a bang!

Stay with us through the afternoon and into the evening to find out more about what's happening over the next year - and the opening event later on.