What's on

Showcasing Calderdale Museums’ fashion and textile collections from ancient Egypt to modern day. Calderdale Museums has one of the best but little known textile collections in the country.

An exhibition capturing a century of Brighouse, West Yorkshire on canvas and camera. This exhibition features paintings and photographs from Calderdale Museums’ collections, including works by local Brighouse artists Miles Sharp and Stanley Chapman.

Photography capturing the places and people of Calderdale, including collections by Martin Parr and Fay Godwin, displayed in The Link Gallery at Bankfield Museum.

An exhibition celebrating the costumes of some of Britain’s best loved TV dramas including Downton Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, Poldark, Victoria and many more. Alongside a new display of historic costumes from similar periods in the Fashion Gallery.

For our under fives. Come along to Akroyd Library in Bankfield Museum and join in our craft activities for under-fives.

Linked to World Book Day 2020, come and join the fabulous storyteller Eden Ballantyne of Stories Alive! for an afternoon of storytelling. Please note: adults must pay for an accompanying ticket.

Join writer and historian Helena Whitbread at Bankfield Museum in Halifax where she’ll be discussing her books on Anne Lister and over 30 years spent decoding Anne Lister's diaries and sharing the wonderful story of Halifax's famous lesbian diarist with the world. The event will be followed by a Q&A and book signing.

Shibden will be staying open until 8pm on Anne Lister's birthday 2020. Anne was born on the 3rd April 1791 and to celebrate there will be tea and birthday cake and a celebratory atmosphere with staff and volunteers on hand to talk all things Anne Lister.  Dressing up encouraged! 

Take part in our eggcellent trail and create an Easter themed pom pom creation. Suitable for 4-12 year olds.

Take part in our eggcellent trail and make a woven Easter egg.  Suitable for 4-12 year olds.

Take part in our eggcellent trail and create your own fashion model. 

Take part in our eggcellent trail and create your own moving picture.  Suitable for 4-12 year olds.

An exhibition of artists and their travels, including Samuel Prout, Albert Goodwin and John Ruskin at Smith Art Gallery. Image: Amalfi by Albert Goodwin, Calderdale Museums’ Collection

Whilst Shibden is closed for filming we'll be hosting a new exhibition about Anne Lister (1791-1840) at Bankfield Museum, celebrating her life and legacy.

From Stitches to Screen: Fashion Seminar day in association with The Bronte Parsonage This one-day seminar hosted by Calderdale Museums and the Brontë Parsonage Museum seeks to examine how historic costumes in museum collections are used as inspiration for film and TV dramas. It will consider such topics as what costume on screen can tell us about characters and the role of costume designers, historians and historical consultants can have on shaping the public’s view of costume and history.

Join us for an evening of dancing with live music from the famous Pemberley Players. No dancing experience required - all dances will be called and there will be a dance practice 1.30pm – 3.30pm included in the ticket price.

We all love the stylish designs of Hollywood historical films and TV costume dramas, but how much do they reflect the real clothes of an era, and what would it be like to wear them? Join dress historian Lucy Adlington and costume specialist Meridith Towne for a delightful exploration of corsets, crinolines, bonnets and bum rolls...

Shibden Hall is 600 years old! The first reference to Shibden Hall was in 1420/21 so in 2020 we will be conducting more research into its past and gathering stories about the Hall's 600 years, with various families in occupation and nearly 100 years as a public museum. During 2021 there will be an exhibition at Bankfield Museum (as there is limited space at Shibden) to celebrate the Hall's history and all the people that have lived and worked there over the centuries.  Sign up to our enews to hear about our Shibden 600 creative projects during 2020 and 2021.