Stage at the Lake: Four-Day Cultural Celebration Marks 100 Years of Shibden Park
Calderdale is preparing for four unforgettable days of music, theatre, comedy and community creativity as Stage at the Lake celebrates 100 years of Shibden Park as a public park.
Taking place from 13–16 August, the festival brings together world-renowned artists, homegrown talent and emerging performers against one of West Yorkshire’s most striking historic backdrops. Classical music, musical theatre, stand-up comedy, brass bands and family performance will sit alongside an imaginative community garden trail, creating a centenary celebration with something for every generation.
Theatre at the Lake
The festival opens on Thursday 13 August with Theatre at the Lake, a celebration of musical theatre spanning classics including Miss Saigon and The Wizard of Oz to newer favourites such as Elf, Matilda and The Phantom of the Opera.
Produced by acclaimed musical director Matthew J Loughran (Elf, Evita, Wicked, Les Misérables), the evening will feature Yorkshire-born West End stars Laura Pick, best known as Elphaba in Wicked, and Halifax’s own Olivier Award-nominated stage and screen artist Emma Williams. Newly announced performers Ben Forster (Jesus Christ Superstar, Phantom of the Opera) and Joel Montague (Billy Elliot, Waitress) will also take to the stage.
Debut at the Lake
On Friday 14 August, the spotlight turns to the next generation with Debut at the Lake, running from 10am–3.30pm. Curated with Grassroots Music Network and CalderGroove Youth Music Collective, the showcase will celebrate emerging local musicians while offering young people backstage experience in sound, lighting and production.
The first announced acts are indie, folky-pop musician Doogle; 70s-tinged rock quartet Grow; singer-songwriter Herbie May; and brother-and-sister duo The Incident.
Laughter at the Lake
Friday evening brings Laughter at the Lake, hosted by Cork-born comic Kyla Cobbler. The newly announced bill features comedian, actor and presenter Russell Kane, American comedian Rich Hall and Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer Show nominee Louise Young.
Proms at the Lake
On Saturday 15 August, Proms at the Lake will see the English Chamber Orchestra and Halifax Choral Society perform timeless classical favourites beside the lake. The setting carries particular significance: Shibden Park was opened as a public park by the Prince of Wales in 1926.
The evening will also feature a newly announced performance from Northern Ballet’s recent Gentleman Jack, an extraordinary retelling of the life of powerful Yorkshire woman and former Shibden Hall resident Anne Lister.
Brass at the Lake
The festival reaches its finale on Sunday 16 August with Brass at the Lake, celebrating Calderdale’s place in British film and music history. The world-renowned Grimethorpe Colliery Band will perform a live score to an outdoor screening of Brassed Off, marking 30 years since the film was shot at neighbouring The Piece Hall. A special in-conversation for film fans will also take place, with guests to be announced.
Seeds of Hope
Running throughout the four days is Seeds of Hope, a community garden trail created through a new partnership between Calderdale Council and UNESCO. A year in the making, local groups and schools have designed eight small-scale ‘parklet’ gardens, which will come together at Shibden Park in a magical blend of nature and music.
The trail will include an interactive performance from children’s and parents’ favourite Mr Bloom & His Band, star of CBeebies’ Mr Bloom’s Nursery. After the festival, the parklets will find permanent new homes across Calderdale, creating an enduring community legacy.
Stage at the Lake forms part of Seasons of Culture – Nature 2026, a West Yorkshire Combined Authority cultural initiative celebrating the region’s creativity, heritage and communities through the natural world. It also continues the legacy of Calderdale’s Year of Culture, CultureDale 2024.
Fully accessible, the festival will feature a mix of free and ticketed events, with free entry for under-16s.
Tickets are on sale now at stageatthelake.co.uk/whats-on.
from the Newsdesk
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