Every September (8th-17th) thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences and the Halifax Heritage Festival this year promises, to be the best ever!

This festival is the biggest by far, with most events happening from 7th September, there are talks, tours, exhibitions, open days and workshops. Dozens of venues, historians and passionate local storytellers have come together to bring you this fabulous event . The organisers Discover Halifax have catered for all ages and interests too, so there really is something for everyone.

There’s guided walks and bus tours taking in fascinating Lister Lane Cemetery or the amazing Streets in the Sky at the beautiful Borough Market and Wainhouse Tower will also open for a day. Our town has lots of heritage sites to visit, including Halifax Minster, Calderdale Industrial Museum, Shibden Hall, Dean Clough and The Piece Hall. The kids will love the create workshops, where they can make their own Gargoyle and learn through Lego, and if you love art, you can see the work and visit the studios of 20 local artists at Grade II listed Shaw Lodge Mill or get a rare glimpse behind the scenes at the Halifax Playhouse.

Discover what’s on here…

Thursday 7th September

• Festival Organ Recital – Halifax Minster
• Heritage Open Day – Halifax Minster

Friday 8th September

• Heritage Open Day – Halifax Minster
• Inspiring Local History Research – Calderdale Library
• Those Cragg Vale Coiners – Halifax Minster
• Creativity Unwrapped Tour – The Piece Hall
• Halifax Revealed Tours – Discover Halifax Hub

Saturday 9th September

• Heritage Open Day – Halifax Minster
• Heritage Open Day – Calderdale Industrial Museum
• Creativity Unwrapped Tour – The Piece Hall
• Halifax Revealed Tours – Discover Halifax Hub
• The Everybody Gallery – Artworks
• Creativity Unwrapped Family Workshop – The Piece Hall
• Unwrapping Wakefield Gate (Magna Via) – Heritage Walk
• His Majesty’s 33rd Regiment of Foot – Halifax Minster
• Free Open Day – Shibden Hall

Sunday 10th September

• Heritage Open Day – Halifax Minster
• Creativity Unwrapped Tour – The Piece Hall
• Creativity Unwrapped Family Workshop – The Piece Hall
• Halifax Revealed Tours – Discover Halifax Hub
• Heritage Open Day – Calderdale Industrial Museum
• Free Open Day – Shibden Hall
• Free Entry – Bankfield Museum
• Afternoon Tea and Dance – All Souls Church
• Heritage at the Playhouse – Halifax Playhouse

Monday 11th September

• Creativity Unwrapped Tour – The Piece Hall
• David Glover: John Crossley & Sons of Dean Clough  – Dean Clough
• Streets in the Sky Tours – Halifax Borough Market

Tuesday 12th September

• Creativity Unwrapped Tour – The Piece Hall
• Music at the Magistrate’s Court – Calderdale Music
• Dean Clough Arts Heritage Tours – Dean Clough

Wednesday 13th September

• Creativity Unwrapped Tour – The Piece Hall

Thursday 14th September

• Creativity Unwrapped Tour – The Piece Hall
• Dean Clough Arts Heritage Tours – Dean Clough
• Unwrapping the Halifax Slasher – St Pauls Church

Friday 15th September

• Creativity Unwrapped Tour – The Piece Hall
• Halifax Revealed Tours – Discover Halifax Hub
• One Voice and Begin to Change Workshop – The Old Courthouse

Saturday 16th September

• Creativity Unwrapped Tour – The Piece Hall
• Streets in the Sky Tours – Halifax Borough Market
• Halifax Revealed Tours – Discover Halifax Hub
• Fun Day – Calderdale Industrial Museum
• Walking Tour – Central Library & Square Church
• Create Your Own Library Gargole – Calderdale Library
• Unwrapping the Christie Family – All Souls Church
• The Portrait Photography of Alice Longstaff – Birchcliffe Centre

Sunday 17th September

• Halifax Revealed Tours – Discover Halifax Hub
• Creativity Unwrapped Lego Workshop – Dean Clough
• Unwrapping Heritage Open Day with Guided Tours – Lister Lane Cemetery

Monday 18th September

• Streets in the Sky Tours – Halifax Borough Market

Wednesday 20th September

• Barry’s Masterpiece? The Making of Halifax Town Hall – Square Chapel