Category Archives: Arts and culture

It’s now 125 years since the Victoria Theatre in Halifax first opened its doors. To honour this historic milestone, the Council is pulling back the curtain on a year-long celebration of the venue’s rich Victorian heritage and its vibrant future. Since February 1901, the Victoria Theatre has been the beating heart of Calderdale’s cultural scene…. read more … about Going behind the curtain to celebrate 125 years at the Victoria Theatre>>

Black and white images showing theatre from outside

The Anne Lister Festival is back for 2026, celebrating the life and legacy of the famous landowner, entrepreneur, mountaineer, scholar, traveller, and lesbian, in her birthplace of Halifax. Anne Lister was born on 3 April 1791 and died on 22 September 1840. Her relatively short life was eventful and unconventional, and her fascinating diaries of… read more … about Festival returns to celebrate the life and legacy of Anne Lister>>

Anne Lister portrait

A new welcoming and spacious bar area has now opened at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax, as part of wider improvements at the venue. The Victoria Theatre is a much-loved visitor attraction in Calderdale and a key heritage building in Halifax. Recent significant improvement work, with funding from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, has… read more … about Shining a spotlight on theatre improvements>>

Staff working at the new Victoria Theatre bar

Halifax Bus Station will soon be home to the first in a series of artistic installations showcasing the unique heritage and culture of Halifax, as part of a new trail around the town. The ‘Art and About’ trail is part of Future High Streets Fund work in Halifax, funded by the Government and being delivered… read more … about Getting Art and About with new creative trail>>

Halifax bus station

Halifax is once again flying the Purple Flag, as the town has been awarded the prestigious accreditation for the fifteenth year running. Purple Flag is the gold standard for town centres, like Green Flag for parks and Blue Flag for beaches. The award scheme recognises excellence in the management of the evening and nighttime economy…. read more … about Fifteen years flying the Purple Flag>>

Above Halifax

A new web resource is helping local people to find out more information about the opportunities available to support adults in Calderdale, all in one place. The Community Information Directory(external link) has been developed by Calderdale Council, in partnership with local health and community partners. This free, interactive resource is a searchable directory which brings… read more … about New directory provides one-stop-shop for local opportunities>>

Tai chi for older adults in Todmorden

Following completion of the construction of a vibrant new community facility for Mixenden in January 2025, a new library is the first unit to open. The new library at Mixenden Community Hub opened its doors and welcomed its first visitors on Thursday 6 March 2025 – World Book Day. Calderdale Council celebrated the opening, and… read more … about New chapter for Mixenden>>

Representatives from Calderdale Council with the Gruffalo in the new Mixenden Library

Over 70 events and activities are taking place across Halifax to celebrate the birthday of one of the town’s most famous residents. The famous landowner, entrepreneur, mountaineer, scholar, traveller, and lesbian, Anne Lister was born in Halifax on 3 April 1791. To celebrate what would have been Anne’s 234th birthday, Calderdale Council is supporting a… read more … about Celebrating Anne Lister’s life and legacy>>

Anne Lister sculpture with flowers

The Leap, in partnership with Calderdale Council, is proud to announce the successful applicants of The Leap into Culturedale Awards programme which celebrates grassroots creativity, cultural expression, and community resilience. The cohort of 12 awardees represents a remarkable diversity of projects aimed at fostering inclusion, preserving heritage, and creating opportunities for artistic engagement across Calderdale. The Awards have been… read more … about Celebrating Community Creativity: The Leap into Culturedale Awards Announce 12 Inspiring Projects arts and culture projects for 2024-2025>>

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