FREE Events
Low cost and Free Christmas activities throughout Calderdale!
The team at Staying Well have outdone themselves yet again in bringing you tidings of comfort and joy for the festive period!
The following Christmas Guide is packed full of festive events and celebrations, all the way up to the big day and more!
Don’t be alone this Christmas. With many events, including community meals, you have options.
All these activities are either free of charge or have a small cost entry fee.
Take a look and see what you may find.
Feel free to spread the word and promote so more people can enjoy the festivities.
Don’t want to be alone over Christmas?
Staying Well may be able to help you by putting you in touch with someone who can be there for you.
Reach out to Staying Well and let us see if we can be there for you.
Staying Well Calderdale
t : 01422 392767
e : stayingwellproject@calderdale.gov.uk
VIRSA – A celebration of South Asian Heritage Month 2022
Calderdale’s South Asian Heritage Festival begins with a Weekend of Celebration at Square Chapel Arts Centre and The Piece Hall.
The festival, commissioned by Calderdale Council, promises a month of events and activities to celebrate the long and rich history of British Asians and the positive impact they have within the borough. It will bring together leading British Pakistani and Indian writers and performers plus local businesses and community groups at venues across Calderdale.
The Piece Hall
The Piece Hall event begins at midday and will feature Indian drumming, henna painting, calligraphy arts, face painting, antique Pakistani jewellery, handmade bags and free, fun, family activities in the main courtyard. There will also be music and writing workshops and performance events at Square Chapel Arts Centre over that weekend. All activities are FREE! And there will be a real community market feel in the courtyard … a chance to celebrate the friendship and generosity of South Asian culture …
Square Chapel Arts Centre
Brilliant FREE workshops for women and girls, not just of South Asian heritage. This is an invitation to all women interested in culture, identity, sense of place and empowerment.
Booking is essential. You can book workshops and events at Square Chapel Arts Centre here: squarechapel.co.uk/whats-on/
Saturday 16th July @ 1.30 pm
” I Belong Here ” – Talk & Writing Workshop with Award Winning author Anita Sethi
A two-hour session with Anita Sethi. Short talk after which Anita will explore themes of place, nature, journeying – both geographical and emotional journeys – and how nature and writing can bring a sense of belonging.
Saturday 16th July @ 4 pm
Into the Wilds – New South Asian Writing
Fox & Windmill is the UK’s first independent book publishing company for British South Asian writers. They are dedicated to bridging the gap in the industry for writers from underrepresented backgrounds and sharing their unique stories and perspectives.
Sunday 17th July @ 2pm
Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan Free Workshop & Performance Event
Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan is a writer, poet and educator disrupting understandings of history, race, knowledge and violence. In 2019 she published Postcolonial Banter, an anthology of poetry critiquing racism, Islamophobia and notions of national identity. The collection includes poems which have had millions of online views and been featured across TV and radio.
Saturday July 23rd
Square Chapel will host a screening of acclaimed film ‘Lakeer’ followed by a Q&A with the film’s producer
Victoria Theatre
Saturday July 23rd – South Asian Comedy Club
Comedy club with some of the best South Asian comedians on the comedy circuit.Calderdale’s museums and libraries will feature a number of displays and events to complement the celebrations.This is an opportunity for all communities to come together and share the best South Asian culture has to offer – please let your friends and colleagues know and help make this a regular feature of Calderdale’s Cultural Calendar!The full programme of events and activities can be found at:
issuu.com/verddegris/docs/programme
FREE Soup and Sandwich evening at Southgate Methodist Church – Tonight!
On the last Friday of every month, enjoy a FREE Soup and Sandwich evening between 6pm
The Soup and Sandwich evening is open to anybody in the community (Elland & District) who are on their own (or couples who feel socially isolated ) and who wish to come for food, warmth, company and conversation are very welcome.
Go along on Friday 27 October – 6pm to 8pm
At Southgate Methodist Church, Elland, HX5 0EX
The project is also open to anybody (Singles or couples) who are unable to provide food for themselves.
Events at Southgate Methodist Church, Elland
The following events will be taking place at Southgate Methodist Church this month and everyone is welcome to get involved.
Sunday 18 December – 6pm
Carols by Candlelight, followed by Coffee and Mince Pies – Free – All Welcome
Saturday 24 December – 6pm
Family Carols for All – Free – All welcome
Thursday 29 December – 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Family Christmas Party Games – Craft work – Food and Father Christmas!! Free All Welcome. No need to book please just turn up and join in!
Friday 30 December – 6pm to 8pm
Soup and Sandwiches. Free event open to all who need food or need company and conversation. All Welcome.
FREE Soup and Sandwich evening at Southgate Methodist Church
On the last Friday of every month, Operation Christian Welcome run a Soup and Sandwich evening between 6pm and 8pm which is open to anybody in the community (Elland & District) who are on their own (or couples who feel socially isolated ) and who wish to come for food, warmth, company and conversation are very welcome.
Go along on Friday 25 November – 6pm to 8pm
At Southgate Methodist Church, Elland, HX5 0EX
The project is also open to anybody (Singles or couples) who are unable to provide food for themselves.
FREE Soup and Sandwich evening at Southgate Methodist Church
On the last Friday of every month, Operation Christian Welcome run a Soup and Sandwich evening between 6pm and 8pm which is open to anybody in the community (Elland & District) who are on their own (or couples who feel socially isolated ) and who wish to come for food, warmth, company and conversation are very welcome.
There event and food is FREE so please go along and enjoy the groups hospitality at the next Soup and Sandwich evening taking place on Friday 28 October – 6pm to 8pm
The project is also open to anybody (Singles or couples) who are unable to provide food for themselves.
Walks, talks and more at the Halifax Heritage Festival
The Halifax Heritage Festival gets underway today and approximately 20 heritage sites are hosting events and activities during the festival with over 60 walks, talks, tours, viewings, exhibitions and live music events taking place.
Thursday 8 September to Sunday 11 September
Most events are FREE of charge to attend, a limited few have a small cost or donation requirement, with nothing costing more than £5 per person.
Visitors can expect family activities, children’s events, evening talks and lunch time walks, with historical lectures, ghostly tales, hidden gems, and uncovered tombs being included in the weekend.
Running alongside the already renowned Heritage Open Days, the Halifax Heritage Festival offers many unique events taking place, there’s something for all ages.
Calderdale Lower Valley blog 