22-02-2025
Anne Lister Birthday Festival to celebrate famous Halifax resident
More than 70 events are set to take place across Halifax to celebrate the birthday of one of the town's famous residents, Anne Lister.
The landowner, entrepreneur, mountaineer, scholar, and traveller, who was also a lesbian, was born in Halifax on April 3, 1791.
Calderdale Council is supporting a programme of events and activities from Saturday, March 29, to Sunday, April 6, as part of the fourth annual Anne Lister Birthday Festival - for what would have been Ms Lister's 234th birthday.
The events will bring her story to life, with opportunities to walk in Ms Lister's footsteps and explore some of Halifax's heritage buildings, including Ms Lister's family home of Shibden Hall.
There will also be private tours featuring areas not usually accessible to the public.
The Calderdale archives will also be open at Halifax Central Library, offering the chance to see Ms Lister's diaries in person.
Outside of the private tour times, Shibden Hall will be open as usual and will be hosting a number of costumes from the BBC/HBO series, Gentleman Jack.
Bankfield Museum will also be displaying outfits from the series as part of its Costume Drama exhibition.
Full details of events are available at