Bradford South Asian Festival is BACK from August 18th to 20th for another packed weekender to light up the district’s South Asian Heritage Month celebrations.

This year’s festival theme is J.O.Y – Just Own You. We want to celebrate all those simple things about the South Asian identity, heritage and experience that enrich our lives, but which we never necessarily acknowledge as doing so. That includes our food, clothes, music, songs, dance, arts and film heritage - and all the other little things that make us smile and laugh! It could be a samosa and chai with friends old and new, or a sing song in the living room.

It could be a truck art teapot - or a sequinned Parveen Babi-inspired jumpsuit!The weekender will start with Gigglewalees – a girl-powered take on our annual flagship comedy night curtain raiser Gigglewalahs.

This year's festival will be spread across three venues over the three days, with a host of activities for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.

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BBC Asian Network’s Noreen Khan will host an evening of laughs at the HQ of Bradford’s Inspirational Women Foundation in Bolton Road.

Headliner and acclaimed comedian Shazia Mirza will bring her fearless funnies to Bradford, and she’ll be supported by a line-up of debutante local ladies who have recently been learning all about the art of stand-up in a series of workshops and will face a BSAF audience for the first time.

They’re bold, they’re brown, and they’re sure to bring the house down!

See the highlights below from last year's event.