This year's edition of Halifax Heritage Festival is taking place from the 11th to the 20th September. Below, we have details on a number of events taking place as part of the festival, as well as the events and exhibitions being held at Calderdale Museums throughout September.
Also on during the Festival: Anne Lister Memorial Weekend 2026. Click here for more information.
WAINHOUSE TOWER ASCENTS
Saturday 12th, Sunday 13th, and Saturday 19th September
10am to 4pm
Prices:
Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th: Free
Saturday 19th:
- Adults £5
- Children (5-16yrs) £4
- Children (Under 5) and Essential Companions: Free
Wainhouse Tower is one of Calderdale's most recognisable landmarks. It was built in the 1870s by John Edward Wainhouse as an observatory-chimney to serve his dyeworks at Washer Lane and was completed in September 1875. The tower is 253 feet high, with 369 steps to the viewing balcony and weighs an estimated 9,000 imperial tonnes. Its original planned use as a chimney to alleviate smoke polution was scrapped following a neighbourly disagreement and a problem with the local inspector, making Wainhouse Tower the 'world's largest folly'.
This tour will enable you to ascend Wainhouse tower to see the inside of this marvel of Victorian engineering, as well as the fantastic views from the summit.
Tickets are purchased via Eventbrite (see link below). All safety and accessibility information is available there.
BOOK VIA EVENTBRITE
THE HALIFAX GIBBET
From Hull, Hell, and Halifax, Good Lord Deliver Us.
A new lecture from local historian David Glover, taking place at St Paul's Church, Queen's Road, HX1 3NU.
Friday 11th September, 7pm: £10, pay on the door.
The Halifax Gibbet was our unique Beheading Machine. Its origins are obscure, but from the 1280s down to 1650, a curious ‘engine’ was used in Halifax to execute felons caught thieving in the textile trade. With a wooden frame incorporating an axe-head, and a rope to release this at a critical moment, it dealt death to miscreants. But there was a let-out clause, which led to the legend of The Running Man. Did it have a cousin in Scotland? And how did it compare with the guillotine?
FROM HEBBLE BROOK VIA BLAITHROYD AND BANK TOP TO SOUTHOWRAM
A new lecture from local historian David Glover, taking place at Boothtown and Southowram Methodist Church,Boothtown Road, Halifax HX3 6LR.
Saturday 12th September, 3pm: £5, pay on the door.
A virtual stroll including old views showing a missing viaduct, Paton and Baldwin's mills, lost houses on Southowram Bank, a location where Emily Bronte once taught, a large observatory once home to many telescopes, various former chapels, and many other images. Sundry old views of Southowram feature, and included are stills from a 1979 US film.
INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN - ORDINARY PEOPLE, EXTRAORDINARY LIVES
A new lecture from local historian David Glover, taking place at Mount Zion Methodist Heritage Chapel, Per Lane, Ogden HX2 8XG.
Saturday 19th September - 3pm, FREE but please pre-book at the link below. Donations welome.
From Miriam Lightowler the first lady Mayor of Halifax, we move on to Jocelyn Horner, sculptor and friend of Henry Moore. Then hear about Elsie Whiteley, who began stitching as a teenager and went on to build an amazing blouse-making business in Halifax. Also featured are Laura Mitchell, a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly for the Health Service, and Pearl Paling, dance teacher.
BOOK
TICKETS HERE
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OPEN DAY WITH FASCINATING TOURS OF A FAMED CEMETERY
Taking place at Lister Lane Cemetery, Lister Lane HX1 5JL.
Sunday 20th September - Open from 12noon, FREE guided tours start at 2pm. Donations welcome.
David Glover and Stuart Wilkinson will lead tours detailing the great, the good and the bad of Halifax! Twice lately, journalists have been on site to hear about the origins of the Halifax Building Society, and we’ve many remarkable tales of 19thCentury Halifax residents. Millowners, Mayors, MPs, Chartists, criminals, musicians, soldiers, murder victims – all have a tale to tell!
What’s on at Shibden Hall
The Codification of Stitch by Charlotte Farrant – Thursday 3 to Sunday 27 September
Inspired by Anne Lister's life, the Codification of Stitch highlights her most significant achievements in illustrative and coded form. It reimagines her iconic silhouette into a 21st-century interpretation - an exquisitely embroidered coat and boots. Included with ticketed entry to the Hall.
Free Entry for Heritage Open Days – Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 September
Celebrate Heritage Open Days with FREE entry to Shibden Hall. Tickets are limited so booking is essential.
Poetry at Shibden Hall – Saturday 19 September, 11am to 3.30pm
Join poet Christine Sanders for a fantastic day doing what Anne Lister did best – write! In a relaxed, positive and encouraging atmosphere, you will be guided to write poetry/prose in the form of a dramatic monologue. This workshop is perfect whetheryou are just putting pen to paper or a published writer.
Children's trail: Art Heist at the Hall – Throughout September
A priceless painting has been stolen from Shibden and we need your help to solve the mystery! You’ll need your detective skills for this trail. Included with ticketed entry to the Hall.
Step back into Gentleman Jack - On display until Monday 5 October
Enjoy a new selection of costumes from the hit TV series Gentleman Jack, designed and made by costume designer Tom Pye and his team. See them as worn by the show’s stars including Suranne Jones and Sophie Rundle as Anne Lister and Ann Walker. Included with ticketed entry to the Hall.
Sir John Savile's Household at Shibden Hall – Saturday 10 October, 11am to 4pm
We are delighted that Sir John Savile's Household will be joining us at Shibden Hall in October. This Yorkist reenactment group portray a medieval household of the late 15th century, during the Wars of the Roses.
There will be demonstrations and talks of 15th century crafts and skills including food preparations, spinning, dyeing, embroidery, fletching, wood carving, calligraphy, combat and archery.
This lively and immersive day is family friendly and is included with regular admission tickets on the day. We advise booking your tickets online in advance.
Coming up at Bankfield Museum
Saturday Art Club - Saturday 5 September, 10.30am to 12pm
Join our Learning Team for more creative fun every first Saturday of the month. Each session we explore new materials, techniques or art movements and budding youngartists produce their own masterpiece to take home.This month we will be exploring the ancient art of mosaics and creating our very own tiles.
Halifax Transport – Opens Saturday 5 September
Getting around from mule to motorcar. This exhibition explores the technological advancements of transport in Calderdale.
Heritage Open Day - Sunday 13 September, 10am to 4pm
Join us at Bankfield Museum for a one-off Sunday opening in celebration of Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture.
Tapestry of the North - Opens Saturday 12 September 2026
See a selection of stunning tapestries from northern members of the British Tapestry Group. The British Tapestry Group consists of 250 UK and International tapestry weavers, many of whom are award winners and renowned artists.
Costume Study Session: Made in Halifax – Wednesday 16 September, 10.30am to 11.30am
Explore a selection of fashion made and bought in Halifax and the surrounding local area. From the mid-19th to 20th century. This special costume session is perfect for lovers of historical fashion and allows you to get up close to collection pieces and to carefully handle objects with curator Gemma Esvelt. Tickets are £15.
Needle Felting Foxes - Saturday 19th September, 10am to 1.30pm
Create your own felted fox in our relaxed session using the needle felting technique - a wonderful, tactile craft that allows you to shape and sculpt wool into 3D objects. In this session you will learn skills for building animal figures and applying fur. Tickets are £45 with all materials and hot drinks provided.
Historical Fashion Talk: From Loft to Oz - Saturday 19th September, 11am to 12.30pm
Join us for a talk with Jenny Fenwick about the exciting journey her 1964 Mary Quant dress went on after being rediscovered in her loft! Tickets are £12.
Vintage Fashion Extravaganza – Saturday 3 October, 10am to 3pm
Following the success of last year's 1940s fashion show, we are delighted to announce that House of Foxy will be joining us again later this year - this time with a free, day-long Vintage Fashion Extravaganza! This stylish celebration will span 1926 to 1976 and is set to include a fashion show by House of Foxy plus vintage clothing stalls and workshops.
On now at Bankfield Museum
The Calderdale Open Art Exhibition returns! – Entries open now until Sunday 15 November 2026
This competition is open to all amateur and professional artists who are invited to submit original artwork in any 2D format (e.g. paintings, drawings, photography, digitalart, textiles). Successful entries will be displayed for a 5-month exhibition at Smith Art Gallery, Brighouse opening on Saturday 16 January 2027. To find out how to enter and for more about our grand prizes, see the Open Art webpage.
Fashion Extremes! – On display until Saturday 19 December 2026
From scandalously short miniskirts to voluminous sleeves, towering platform heels and extremely wide skirts to bold clashing colours and flared trousers. Explore 250 years of everyday fashion trends that go beyond the practical, border the exaggerated and make a bold statement.
Reconstructing Historical Fashion – On display until Saturday 10 October 2026
View costumes from the finalists of the 2025 Costume Society Patterns of Fashion competition made by Lana Vargas, Verity Joy and Georgia Barclay. Get a glimpse behind the scenes into how these makers went about meticulously recreating their faithful historical replicas.
On now at Smith Art Gallery
Stunning Skies – On display until Tuesday 22 December 2026
From stunning sunsets to ominous thunderclouds, the sky has provided a rich source of inspiration for some of the greatest artists. This exhibition takes a selection of highlights from the Calderdale Museums collection depicting the heavens in all its glory.
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