Celebrate International Women’s Day at Bradford Industrial Museum

The contribution of women in industry will be celebrated this International Women’s Day at Bradford Industrial Museum.

A free volunteer led event at Bradford Council’s Bradford Industrial Museum will take place on Sunday 8 March from 11am to 3pm.

Join the museum’s Weaving Gallery volunteers with Bradford Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers and have a go at spinning or weaving or check out their handmade knitwear which will be on sale.

There will be performances from the local Buttercross Belles Morris dancers who dance Northwest style. This dance style originated from the industrial, textile-producing areas of North West England, reflecting the life of workers, with dances often represent the movement of the machinery. Female Morris groups often danced at suffragette meetings and the outfits of the Buttercross Bells are the suffragette colours of green, white, and purple.

Lily and Lister, Coffee Shop will be at the museum selling their signature ethically sourced, fresh roasted coffee, cake, and sausage rolls. The business is run by two sisters from Ilkley who share a passion for ethically produced coffee from small farmers worldwide.

Museum volunteer Literature Champions will be holding a free book giveaway in partnership with the Bradford Literacy Trust.

Visitors can also collect a free limited edition International Women’s Day 2026 bookmark from the volunteer printers in the letterpress gallery.

Visit the Mill Owner's House with volunteer Marjorie who will welcome you and shows you around this beautiful home.

The volunteer museum heritage gardeners will be helping people to plant their own bulbs in a pot decorated in suffragette colours to take home.

Bradford and District Museums and Galleries Young Ambassador and artist Atiyya Mirza will be at the craft station where visitors can make their own suffragette rosette.

The event and access to Bradford Industrial Museum is free, but donations are always welcome.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places said: “International Women's Day is a time to recognise the incredible contributions of women in our communities. International Women’s Day will celebrate its 115th anniversary this year so this event at Bradford Industrial Museum gives us the opportunity to celebrate that contribution to our industrial heritage.”

Sunday 8 March is also the final chance to see the Z Open exhibition and purchase a unique work of art by young artists. The exhibition contains work by young creatives between the ages of 16 and 25 who either live, work or study in the Bradford district.