Welcome – The Piece Hall’s reopening season

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor
The Piece Hall

Welcome – The Piece Hall’s reopening season at The Piece Hall, Halifax 1 August — 2 September 2017 Entrance is free

Halifax’s Grade 1 listed, spectacular Piece Hall reopens this summer after a major restoration and redevelopment project. Almost 250 years since it first threw its doors open to be the first place of its kind – a progressive fusion of business , community and culture –  The Piece Hall will celebrate being back at the beating heart of this historic town. A grand re-opening on Yorkshire Day (1 August) is followed by Welcome – an opening festival of international arts and culture focused around three weekends of sensational free events.

Built with monumental ambition for the trading of “pieces” of woven woollen cloth, The Piece Hall  is one of the country’s most exceptional Georgian buildings and the only surviving example of the remarkable pre-industrial revolution northern cloth halls that were so vital to England’s wealth.

The expansive, landscaped open-air courtyard (which can accommodate a staggering 7,500 people at a time) will host an ambitious year-round programme of world class outdoor arts, music, dance, film and other spectacles, enveloped by exhibition spaces, art gallery, independent shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Think Somerset House meets one of the great historic squares of Europe for the North.

Yorkshire Day will be the first chance to explore this exciting new cultural centre. As well as exploring the new eateries, exhibition spaces and shops expect artisan street food, performance and live music on the 1 August.

The Piece Hall

We love that the ambition of the opening Welcome season is a bold symbol of the quality of things to come and a celebration of this incredibly special place which was renowned for the most remarkable cultural spectacles of the time. Its original opening day in 1779 featured a major procession of marching bands and firework display “by the celebrated Signor Pietro consisting of a beautiful Egyptian pyramid illuminated with spiral wheels, globes and vertical wheels to be set on fire by a pigeon!”. A huge crowd gathered to witness one of the earliest hot air balloon flights here too in 1824.

Here’s what’s in store:

Welcome – The Piece Hall’s reopening season at The Piece Hall, Halifax 1 August — 2 September 2017 Entrance is free

What's on at The Piece Hall

Until
Halifax
Christmas at the Piece Hall

Christmas at the Piece Hall is filled with live music, comedy, craft workshops, Christmas Markets and everything you could imagine to put you in the Christmas spirit.

from £0.00
MusicHalifax
Pixies at The Piece Hall

Legendary American rock band Pixies are bringing their unmistakable and era-defining sound to The Piece Hall.

from £47.50

Where to go near Welcome – The Piece Hall’s reopening season

Square Chapel Arts Centre
Halifax
Square Chapel Arts Centre

With a mix of shows, family theatre, films, events and workshops, this arts centre is a vital part of Halifax’s new and thriving cultural quarter.

Pride & Provenance
Halifax
Restaurant
Pride & Provenance

This hidden gem can be found tucked away in Horton Street’s Piece Mill and is an artisan lover’s delight.

Meandering Bear
Halifax
Restaurant
Meandering Bear

Owned by the folks who run the award-winning Grayston Unity, the Meandering Bear is a great little independent bar and eatery in Halifax.

Revo Records, Halifax
Halifax
Shop
Revo Records

Trading for over 30 years, the iconic shop prides itself on stocking an eclectic selection of vinyl records – the latest new releases alongside second-hand vinyl.

Halifax Borough market
Halifax
Shop
Halifax Borough Market

This grand and historic market was opened by the Duke and Duchess of York in 1896 and has been at the heart of Halifax life ever since.

The Lantern, Halifax
Halifax
Music venue
The Lantern

An independent live music venue and bar within the town of Halifax, West Yorkshire.

White Swan Hotel
Halifax
Hotel
White Swan Hotel

The White Swan Hotel offers an ideal location for those looking to explore West Yorkshire – its arts and culture, and its shopping.

What's on: Festivals

Until
FestivalsManchester
Winter Island

Freight Island has transformed into Winter Island for the Christmas season, focusing on all things fun and festive.

free entry
Until
ActivitySale
Prism: Light Trail

This winter you can see a series of light installations through Sale Town Centre, designed by children and young people from the borough.

free entry
saltaire living advent calendar
Until
FestivalsSaltaire
Saltaire Living Advent Calendar

The Saltaire Living Advent Calendar has been a staple of the village since 2006, with community buildings and houses lighting up their windows with intricate illuminations.

free entry
FestivalsManchester
Lightwaves at Salford Quays

An unmissable ten days of luminary adventures. Interact with boundary-breaking new commissions, create your own digital masterpieces and take a selfie with a Dalek. Yep, really.

free entry
ChildrensCheshire
Christmas at Bolesworth

Come to Cheshire’s winter wonderland. A magical festive lights trail, Santa’s Grotto and more… This is a jam packed adventure for all the family.

from £20.00

Culture Guides

Music in Manchester and the North

Spotlighting global artists who all, in one way or another, break the mould, we preview the best gigs happening this side of Christmas and beyond.