Are you ready for another epic summer of live music at The Piece Hall? If you’re heading to Halifax for a gig this summer, make sure to stay a while and soak it all up. Halifax is one of those towns that surprises people – think grand architecture, proper independent shops, amazing food, and a gig venue so stunning that most visitors spend the first ten minutes just staring at it. Making a weekend of it means you get to enjoy the gig and explore everything around it at your own pace.

Why Stay Overnight?

For starters, The Piece Hall at night is unreal. The huge Georgian courtyard glows under warm lights, the atmosphere is buzzing, and the whole place feels cinematic. After a gig, you can just amble back through the square, grab a drink, and soak up the late‑night vibe instead of joining the post‑event stampede towards buses and taxis.

Plus, Halifax is compact. You can walk pretty much everywhere, meaning your weekend feels relaxed rather than rushed. And if you fancy exploring beyond town, the trains run regularly to nearby market towns like Hebden Bridge and Todmorden, both full of creativity, quirky shops, and scenic walks.

Where to Stay 

£ Budget Options

Premier Inn Halifax Town Centre
Reliable, modern, and literally a few streets from The Piece Hall. Rooms are simple but comfy, and you’ll never struggle to get a decent night’s sleep.

Travelodge Halifax
If you’re saving cash for merch and drinks, this does the job. Clean, central, and ideal if you’re planning to be out and about most of the weekend.

££ Mid‑Range

Imperial Crown Hotel
Right opposite the railway station, which is perfect if you’re arriving by train or planning day trips to Hebden or Todmorden. A characterful building with cosy rooms.

£££ Something Special

Bowers Mill Apartments
Set in a beautifully converted mill out in Barkisland. Think rustic beams, huge windows, and seriously peaceful surroundings. Great if you want a retreat after a busy gig.

Holdsworth House
A proper treat. This 17th‑century manor house feels like stepping into a period drama. Winding staircases, log fires, beautiful gardens – it’s quite something.

Shibden Mill Inn

Shibden Mill Inn is a cosy, historic 17th‑century country inn nestled in Shibden Valley, offering warm hospitality, great food, comfy rooms, crackling fires, and lovely walks right from the doorstep.

What to Do Before the Gig

The Piece Hall itself is an attraction even before the music starts. Built in 1779, it’s a massive Georgian cloth hall with independent shops selling everything from handmade jewellery to Yorkshire gin. Grab a seat in the courtyard with a drink and watch the world go by.

Fancy exploring? Some of Halifax’s must-see attractions are less than 5 minutes’ walk from The Piece Hall.

Halifax Minster – a historic 15th‑century Grade I listed church with over 900 years of heritage, featuring stunning architecture, stained glass, community events, and deep links to Halifax’s cultural and spiritual life.

Calderdale Industrial Museum – four floors of working machinery and exhibits showcasing Calderdale’s industrial heritage, including rare engines, local manufacturing history, and engaging volunteer-led displays illustrating the Industrial Revolution’s regional impact.

Halifax Borough Market – a vibrant Victorian covered market opened in 1896, featuring a striking glass-and-iron roof, historic shopfronts, and more than 100 bustling stalls offering food, crafts, and local produce. The Market also runs regular Food Tours on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Allow local guides to take you on a culinary journey of Halifax before your big night out!

If you’ve got a bit more time, local favourites Shibden Hall and Bankfield Museum are both about a 25-minute walk or an 8 minute drive from the town centre.

Shibden Hall – Famous as Anne Lister’s home (“Gentleman Jack”), full of history and set in gorgeous parkland. The house is beautifully preserved and great to explore.

Bankfield Museum – A grand Victorian mansion with exhibitions about Halifax’s textile past, military history, and world cultures.

Top Tip! When you get to The Piece Hall, pop into next door’s Halifax Central Library to catch a glimpse of the restored Square Church rose window… a dramatic historic centrepiece within this modern Library building.

Where to Eat and Drink Before the Show

Eat

• Freddie Fowlers in the Borough Market has extended opening hours serving a £5 menu of Classic Cheese Burger, Spiced BBQ Wings, Samosa Chaat, Sweet Chilli Glazed Halloumi, Sloppy Jo loaded Tortilla Chips and Homemade Meatball Sub’s.
• Meandering Bear located close to the Piece Hall, it offers a great range of cask & keg ales and lagers, cocktails and spirits. Food includes meat/cheese boards, toasted sandwiches and generally food to go with drinks in an informal setting
• Ricci’s Place is a true, family-run restaurant in the heart of Halifax, serving  fantastic, fresh, and seasonal food from their open kitchen, and provide an environment for guests that offers a warm, inviting hideaway.
• Spice Delight is a family run Indian restaurant in the Heart of Halifax offers traditional Indian Cuisine.
• La Luna are a vibrant contemporary family-run cafe-bar and restaurant serving a menu of European meals and snacks.
• Seoul Food Korean Kitchen is a casual, cosy eatery serving authentic traditional Korean dishes, including vegetarian, vegan dishes.
• True North offers an exciting range of menus, drinks & special events.  From leisurely brunch to casual lunches and something special in the evening, you can enjoy both great service and great food in the heart of historic Dean Clough.
• Thai Corner offers a truly authentic Thai dining experience within the stunning character Grade 11 listed Victorian buildings at Dean Clough Mill.
• Babar Khan has an extensive menu which includes a large variety of choice of both classic dishes and innovative ideas.
• The Duke of Wellington you’ll always find a warm welcome at The Duke of Wellington, and a place to enjoy a cosy meal.
• The Old Cock is one of Halifax’s oldest pubs. Originally Built in 1580, the pub has recently been renovated it offers a wide range of drinks and offers and an outdoor seating.
• All Pizzetto serves freshly baked pizzas and the promise of genuine Italian cuisine.
• Cafe Passion provides quality food and pride themselves on serving delicious genuine Mediterranean dishes

Drink

• The Grayston Unity is a venue & cultural hub in Halifax, serving beers, wines, spirits and cocktails to enjoy in the bar, snug or rooftop terrace.
• Mum’s House is a cocktail bar that is a home away from home, they have an extensive cocktail list, and also serve beers, wines and spirits.
• The Watchmakers Bar & Grill is a stylish pub style restaurant in the heart of Halifax centre. Now serving delicious fresh food
• The Railway Hotel  located next to Piece Hall serving award winning Yorkshire Ales, wines and spirits.
• Brass  is a friendly community pub in the heart of Halifax town centre, serving beers wine, spirits and cocktails.
• Dukes serves up cold beer and natural wine with lashings of punk rock!
• Mamil offers a wide range of premium craft beer, spirits and win
• McCafferty’s Bar is a traditional Irish Bar, serving food and drinks.
• The Ring O’Bells is a free house located in the centre of Halifax. Just a short distance from the Piece hall and Train Station. Beautiful building with a great selection of ales. Plenty of daily drinks offers and an all round great atmosphere!
• Vocation & Co features a ground-floor level Taproom with 8 Cask and 18 Keg lines, plus Wonderwheel Pizza!  The 60 seater Roof Terrace Bar really is the cherry on top, with 4 Keg lines, seasonal spritz menu and frozen cocktails all year round.
• Victorian Craft Beer Cafe brings continental style drinking to Halifax, and offers hand pulled beers and ciders 100 bottled beers pies and coffee.
• Kobenhavn serves real ale, craft beer, wine & coffee.
• Hop In Craft Beer & Cider – a cosy bottle shop in view of The Piece Hall, selling the finest craft and real beers and ciders from around the world.

Fancy Exploring Further?

Halifax’s station connects easily to Hebden Bridge and Todmorden. Expect canal walks, music venues, artisan markets, and indie cafés everywhere you turn. Both towns are perfect for a lazy Sunday potter.

 

For more things to do, and places to eat, drink and stay in Calderdale, make sure you check out visitcalderdale.com