With the festive season on its way, we’re naturally gearing up for any and all Christmas markets. Manchester Christmas Markets are some of the best in the country, and with them returning to our beloved Albert Square, we couldn’t be more excited. Having said that, our own Christmas markets can get very chaotic, and sometimes it’s nice to take a festive trip away—and that’s where The Piece Hall Christmas Market in Halifax comes in.
While the likes of York and Chester put on a gorgeous show every year, it’s often difficult to find markets that are as great as Manchester’s without the massive crowds. The Piece Hall is a brilliant alternative slightly off the beaten track. Located under an hour from Manchester in the rugged Yorkshire landscape on the way to Brontë Country, the market in the centre of Halifax is an absolute hidden gem. It offers all the northern charm we want, but none of the bottlenecks.
2026 dates, times & special events
This year, the free-to-enter Piece Hall Christmas Market will run across six long weekends, from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, December 20.
- Fridays & Saturdays: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Sundays: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
To kick off the festivities, head down on the opening day (Friday, 13 November) at 4:30 pm for the grand light switch-on. Emmerdale star and Piece Hall superfan Dominic Brunt will do the honours of illuminating the iconic Christmas sign, courtyard, and tree lights, accompanied by live performances from The Sing Space choir and an appearance by the Yorkshire Dragons Basketball team.
What kind of stalls are at the Piece Hall Christmas Market?
Showcasing some of the region’s favourite independent producers and artisan makers, the market features a wide range of unique stalls offering everything from homeware and jewellery to fantastic gifts and delicious food to eat now or take home. Think the classics: mulled wine, mince pies, chocolate, cheese, and everything you’d expect from the most popular Christmas markets, just with shorter queues and more room to mooch—what’s not to love?
What’s more, The Piece Hall itself houses some of Halifax’s loveliest permanent independent shops. Whether you’re looking for homeware, instruments, clothing, or local arts and crafts, you’ll find a wonderful selection of spots to kickstart your Christmas shopping.
Halifax Christmas Light Parade & Light Up Halifax
Usually involving up to 200 costumed characters and attracting thousands, the eagerly awaited walking parade on Sunday, 15th November will follow a simple route through the heart of Halifax, adding to the town’s launch festivities and ending at The Piece Hall. Enjoy a full day of fun across the town centre with live entertainment, music, street performers, family activities, and plenty of seasonal sparkle to get you in the Christmas spirit.
The History of The Piece Hall
The Grade I listed Piece Hall is a rare and precious thing—an architectural and cultural phenomenon that is absolutely unique. It is the only remaining Georgian cloth hall in the world, standing as the sole survivor of the great eighteenth-century northern cloth halls. These buildings embodied the vital and dominant importance of the hand-woven textile trade to the pre-industrial economy of the West Riding of Yorkshire, from the Middle Ages through to the early nineteenth century.
📍 The Piece Hall, Blackledge, Halifax HX1 1RE.
