Holy Week and Easter

Holy Week and Easter at Bradford Cathedral

The story of Jesus’ journey through Holy Week and Easter will be told anew at Bradford Cathedral this spring through a programme of services and events starting with services on Palm Sunday on the 29th March 2026 and, in the evening, a performance of Handel’s Messiah at 7pm.

All are invited to join in person, with the Sunday 10:30am services also streamed online.

“The story of Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, at the threshold between acclaim and abandonment, triumph and tragedy, as Christ crosses into Jerusalem. That evening, Handel’s Messiah becomes part of this same unfolding drama: music that traces Jesus’ journey across the ultimate border between heaven and earth, revealing a God who steps across every human boundary to make all things belong. The One who is hailed and rejected, crucified and raised, opens wide the gates of divine hospitality for all creation.

From procession to vigil fire, from lament to alleluia, we tell the colourful story of Jesus in beauty, silence and song. In this place that is both home and destination, ordinary yet transcendent, we invite Bradford and beyond to walk this pilgrim way with us. Through these ancient and ever-new rhythms, we seek to create a generous welcome to the world, trusting that here all may discover, afresh, the God who changes lives and transforms communities.”

The Revd Canon Ned Lunn, Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts

Sunday 29th March (Palm Sunday)

8am – Holy Communion (BCP)
10:30am – The Liturgy of Palm Sunday (also livestreamed)
- Featuring a dramatic reading of The Passion according to St Matthew, the story of Jesus as he approaches crucifixion, within the celebration of Holy Communion. All are invited to join in person but the service is also streamed online. The Revd Canon Jonathan Triffitt, Interim Dean of Bradford, will be preaching.
7pm – Bradford Cathedral Choir presents Handel’s Messiah

Book tickets for Handel's Messiah

Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st March

During Choral Evensong at 5:30pm, Bradford Cathedral Choir will be singing Thomas Tallis’ ‘The Lamentations of Jeremiah’.

This is a two-part composition that sets five verses of the Biblical book of Lamentations to music. It is often sung during Holy Week, and is an exquisite and mournful remembrance of Christ’s suffering that will be accompanied by a gradual extinguishing of candles.

Thursday 2nd April

There will be the Liturgy of Maundy Thursday at 7pm, a service which will re-tell the story of Jesus’ passion for the world through a moving service in which we re-enact his washing of the disciples’ feet, remember him in the sharing of bread and wine, and then have the opportunity to keep ‘The Watch’ with him at the Altar of Repose until his arrest at midnight.

Friday 3rd April

On Good Friday, the traditional three hours that mark the crucifixion will be kept in two services. At 12noon the Revd Duncan Milwain will lead the Meditations around the Cross, a service of readings, reflections, music and silence. At 1:30pm, the Liturgy of Good Friday offers an opportunity to meditate on Jesus’ crucifixion through choral music, silence, the reading of The Passion according to St John, the Reserved Sacrament (Holy Communion), and the symbolic burying of the cross in St Aidan’s Chapel.

Saturday 4th April

On Holy Saturday from 1pm – 2:30pm there will be a ‘Messy Easter’ service, an exploration of the events of Holy Week that is suitable for all ages. You will be able to join in with craft activities, Bible stories, songs, drama and food. Spaces are limited for ‘Messy Easter’, so please book your place via Bradford Cathedral’s website.

Later on Saturday at 7pm the Easter Vigil will retell the story of the resurrection through ancient prophecy, the lighting of a fire, and the sharing of Holy Communion. The Revd Jonathan Triffitt, Interim Dean of Bradford, will be preaching at this service.

Book your Messy Easter places

Sunday 5th April

Finally, on Easter Day, there will be services at 8am (Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer), Choral Eucharist at 10:30am with the Rt Revd Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford, leading and preaching, and Choral Evensong at 3:30pm.

Visit Us:

Opening times

Monday-Saturday 10am – 4pm

please see our what’s on calendar for any changes

Plan Your Visit

What to See?

Bradford Cathedral has been a site of Christian worship since the 7th century. Explore over 1000 years of history in the heart of Bradford. We also have a wealth of Morris & Co. stained glass, 18th Century monuments and a range of contemporary and historic textiles.

What to See?

School Resources

Bradford Cathedral has also made available online resources for the season of Holy Week and Easter, for teachers, parents and carers.

Holy Week and Easter