Annual Heritage Open Days Festival – This Weekend!
Over the next week, Huddersfield town centre will be a hive of history-inspired activity for the annual Heritage Open Days festival!
What is it?
The festival is a national event aimed at celebrating our fantastic history and culture. Every activity is free to take part in.
This year, many local activities are being put on as part of the Huddersfield High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) Cultural Programme – run by the Huddersfield HSHAZ Consortium in partnership with Kirklees Council and Historic England. You might have already heard of the Huddersfield HSHAZ because the project is also focusing on the renovation of two key sites – the George Hotel and Estate Buildings – both of which are beautiful listed buildings on St. George’s Square.
What events are happening?
There will be around 30 activities delivered by the HSHAZ Consortium for the festival, all of which are centred around St. George’s Square.
| Event | Date & Time |
| Family sign-writing workshop | Sat 11th Sept – 10am-5pm |
| Exploring the Town’s Ramsden Heritage Walk | Sat 11th Sept – 10:30am-12/12:30pm |
| Carnival celebrates Huddersfield | Sat 11th Sept – 1pm-1:30pm |
| Huddersfield Heritage Hub on the Piazza | Sat 11th Sept – 1pm-4pm
Mon 13th Sept – 9:30am-4pm Tues 14th Sept – 9:30am-4pm Thurs 16th Sept – 9:30am-4pm Fri 17th Sept – 9:30am-4pm |
| Memories of the Square Drop-in at the Heritage Hub | Sat 11th Sept – 1pm-4pm
Tues 14th Sept – 11:30am-2pm Fri 17th Sept – 11:30am-2pm |
| Kirklees Archives Open Day | Sat 11th Sept – 1pm-4pm |
| Huddersfield Textile Walk | Sun 12th Sept – 2:30pm-4/4:30pm |
| ‘A ‘great’ amongst Victorian architects?’ Talk on Huddersfield’s W. H. Crossland | Mon 13th Sept – 7:30pm |
| Huddersfield Heritage Mile Walk | Mon 13th Sept – 12:30pm-1:30pm
Tues 14th Sept – 12:30pm-1:30pm Weds 15th Sept – 12:30pm-1:30pm Thurs 16th Sept – 12:30pm-1:30pm Fri 17th Sept – 4pm-5pm |
| Huddersfield Heritage 5k Run | Weds 15th Sept – 6pm-7pm
(Refreshments available post-run) |
| Run for the Mills Talk | Weds 15th Sept – 8pm-9pm
(Refreshments available pre-talk) |
| Townsounds Reggae Street Party | Fri 17th Sept
Family event – 6:30pm-7:30pm Reggae dance – 7:30pm-9pm Sat 18th Sept Carnival showpiece – 6pm-7:30pm Family event – 6:30pm-7:30pm Reggae dance – 7:30pm-9pm |
| Buildings of Huddersfield’s 19th Century ‘New Town’ Walk | Sat 18th Sept – 10:30am |
| ‘The town that bought itself’ animated walk | Sat 18th Sept – 1pm & 3pm |
| ‘The Irish in Huddersfield’ walk | Sun 19th Sept – 2:30pm-4/4:30pm |
How else are the council involved in the Heritage Open Days?
A number of other council-owned parks, museums, and venues are getting involved in the Heritage Open Days Festival including a family-friendly food trail at Bagshaw Museum, a foraging trail at Oakwell Hall, an introduction to trees and their many uses at Dewsbury Country Park, and behind the scenes tours of Dewsbury and Huddersfield Town Halls.
How do I find out what is happening elsewhere?
As well as these events in Huddersfield, starting tomorrow (Friday 10th September) there are a wealth of opportunities to get involved and find out more about heritage right across Kirklees – and nationally. Wherever you live, find events in your local area on the Heritage Open Days website.
Councillor Peter McBride, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, says:
“The work of the HSHAZ is to breathe new life into St. George’s Square and the surrounding area – which is already one of the most important and iconic parts of Huddersfield.
“Through this programme of events, we’re fuelling the local economy and culture, bringing together the local community within Huddersfield, and attracting more footfall from visitors as local tourism booms across the UK.
“Huddersfield has so much to offer, and the Heritage Open Days festival is a fantastic way to showcase this whilst giving our high streets a boost. The amount there is to get involved with over the course of the festival is a testament to Huddersfield’s beautiful and varied heritage.
“Celebrating and sharing our cultural offer – which is at the heart and soul of our communities and local economy alike – is just as important as the many exciting physical improvements we’re currently making to our town centre. I encourage residents and visitors alike to get involved and learn more about Huddersfield, past and present.”
Dr. Tosh Warwick, Huddersfield HSHAZ Cultural Programme Coordinator, says:
“Heritage Open Days is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Huddersfield’s history and through the HSHAZ Cultural Programme we are re-engaging communities with the historical heart of Huddersfield in exciting and imaginative ways through a range of collaborations with artists, creatives, historians, societies and local venues.”
If you’re attending any of the events over the next week, why not share some pictures with us? Use the hashtags #HuddsHSHAZ or #HistoricHighStreets.