TEN hours of entertainment will get Calderdale’s celebratory Year of Culture 2024 off to a flying start in the borough’s major town next week.

CultureDale becomes reality in Calderdale when 26 free events, activities and performances are set to provide hours of entertainment in Halifax on Saturday, April 13.

From 10am right through to 8pm, there will be a showcase of culture, creativity and talent at venues across the town – from music and dancing, to art and workshops – for everyone to enjoy, says Calderdale Council.

The Year of Culture marks Calderdale’s 50th anniversary as a borough with events running throughout the district through to April 2025.

Multiple venues for a variety of cultural activities come into play and the council hopes people will be “blown away” by a 12-month programme showcasing Calderdale’s rich history, amazing landscapes, incredible people, creativity, entrepreneurship, talent and diversity.

The council believes culture is one of the qualities that makes Calderdale distinctive and plays a key role in local regeneration and wellbeing.

Saturday will see the opening celebration events in Halifax taking place at The Piece Hall, Dean Clough, Halifax Borough Market and across the town centre.

The Piece Hall programme will kick off with ballroom dancing in the courtyard, and also includes uplifting performances from The Signing Choir and folk singer-songwriter Roger Davies and his band.

Dean Clough will celebrate local heritage with a Crossley Carpet sculpture workshop, and will get people active with a climbing wall.

A range of local artists will fill Halifax Borough Market’s Albany Arcade with music and performances, and the town centre streets will come alive with a makers’ market, music, skateboarding, an art workshop and much more.

Around £2 million external grant funding has been brought in by the council to support the Year of Culture, including contributions from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Arts Council England and National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The local creative organisations delivering big projects and events as part of the Year of Culture include arts company Mr Wilson’s, Hebden Bridge Arts, Northern Rascals, the Arvon Foundation – which was founded by Poet Laureate Ted Hughes in his home area of the upper Calder Valley, Everybody Arts, Curious Motion, IOU Theatre, Happy Valley Pride, Hebden Bridge Film Festival, Handmade Parade, and Northern Broadsides theatre.

Many other creative and community organisations across Calderdale are also holding events and celebrations for CultureDale, and the council is providing support through grant schemes.

Events will include a community festival at People’s Park in Halifax, a children’s and families’ creative roadshow, a Youth Music Takeover, community-led performances – even on a canal boat – a creative writing festival, an arts and health festival, a film competition, and lots more to be announced, says the council.