Vaisakhi in Bradford 2026

Every April, Vaisakhi is celebrated by Sikhs all over the world. More than simply marking the Sikh New Year, Vaisakhi is a celebration of faith, community and cultural heritage.

In Bradford, the Sikh community takes to the streets to celebrate, sharing food, music, and prayers as they make the six hour journey between Bradford’s six major gurdwaras.

This year, Balbir joined the parade, capturing moments of connection, devotion and joy as they unfolded. The resulting exhibition operates as a photographic sketch, celebrating Bradford’s vibrant Sikh community and the spirit of togetherness that Vaisakhi inspires.

Content

On a day of glorious sunshine, Bradford’s streets filled with colour as people spilled out of their houses to join the parade. The photos in the exhibition communicate the scale of the event, which was the culmination of weeks of planning, organisation, and collaboration with Bradford City Council. However, much of Balbir’s skill as a photographer comes from his ability to help his subjects feel at ease, allowing him to document touching moments of human interaction from within the parade.

Generosity is an important part of the Sikh philosophy, and Vaisakhi is no exception. Members of the community contributed their time, experience, and skills to the celebrations, whether that was helping to organise the event, preparing and serving food for everyone in attendance, playing music, or leading prayers. There were also speeches by leaders in the Sikh community, and Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Professor Adeeba Malik CBE, pictured below. Five robed Sikhs, known as the Panj Pyare, or ‘beloved ones’, led the parade as symbols of devotion, courage, and resilience in the face of persecution.

Exhibition

Curated by Balbir Singh, this new exhibition of photographs from Bradford’s 2026 Vaisakhi event tells a story of joy and community spirit. Thanks to its unique design, the exhibition is easily portable, allowing us to connect with new audiences. The exhibition has already travelled to Durham University’s Oriental Museum, its first outing of many. In the words of Charlotte Spink, the museum’s Learning Coordinator, “this is a truly unique exhibition that uses intelligent design to deliver an important message and artistic vision.”

Exhibition

Balbir Singh

Photographers

Balbir Singh
Elia Tomé
Morgan Girvin