Thousands of people braved sub-zero temperatures to watch an open-air spectacle starring magician Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo, a 10-year-old rapper and a dozen aerial dancers to launch Bradford's year as UK City of Culture.

Bradford is the UK's City of Culture this year and aims to start it's 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.

The TV magician told the crowd how he started his career doing street magic exactly where they were all standing

Additional tickets for the opening ceremony of City of Culture have been released due to "high demand", organisers have said. Despite minus temperatures being forecast for Rise, the curtain-raiser for Bradford 2025, the event is expected to be popular.

As Bradford’s huge celebration of arts and community engagement begins, Euronews Culture talked to creative director Shanaz Gulzar about what it means for the city. View on euronews

Bradford’s tenure as the UK City of Culture in 2025 has started with a specular event, including magic from Steven Frayne, who told crowds how proud he was to come from the city. Thousands of people braved bitter temperatures in City Park to watch a show specially created for the start of the year-long festival of art and creativity and involving more than 200 performers.

The leader of the Conservatives on Bradford Council has said it is "exceedingly disappointing" that Bradford Live is not open in time for the start of City of Culture.