The town coat of arms carries an image of John the Baptist whose head, according to local legend, is buried in the area. The name Halifax is said to be old English for Holy Face, in reference to saint John. Further homage is paid through Halifax Parish Church which is dedicated to saint John and has parts dating back to the 12th century. Another famous association with the church is William Herschel, the discoverer of the planet Uranus and the churches first organist. The River Calder flows through Halifax, the town has been a centre for the wool making industry since the 15th century. Halifax also has a vibrant Asian community - mainly Pakistanis from the Kashmir region and they make up about 10 percent of the population. This community mainly lives in West Central Halifax, an area that was previously home to immigrant Irish families. Halifax has a busy nightlife with numerous bars and clubs such as The Acapulco and The Colisuem. It is also home to The Halifax Choral Society - the oldest amatuer choral society in the UK and, possibly, in the world. Culturally, the Calderdale area has become well known for folk and traditional music, hosting events like The Traditions Festival at Piece Hall and the Rushbearing at Sowerby Bridge which attracts Morris Dancers from across the country. Halifax is perhaps most famous for the Halifax Building Society but also has ties with the confectionery business. John and Violet Mackintosh opened a toffee shop in 1890 which later became Rowntree Mackintosh. The business developed and invented brands such as Rolo, Quality Street and Toffee Crisp and was eventually bought by Nestle. Further notable links with the town include Charles Barry who built the town hall and also the Houses of Parliament, Wellesley Park which was the Regimental Headquarters for the Duke of Wellingtons Regiment, Shibden Hall - home of diarist Anne Lister and Percy Shaw, inventor of Cats Eyes
Halifax is the main settlement of Calderdale district which includes Boothtown, Beechwood, Brighouse, Chiserley, Copley, Cornholme, Cragg Vale, Elland, Gauxholme, Greetland, Hebden Bridge, Heptonstall, Hipperholme, Holywell Green, Illingworth, Lightcliffe, Luddenden, Luddendefoot, Midgeley, Mill Bank, Mixenden, Mount Tabor, Mytholm, Mytholmroyd, Northowram, Ogden, Old Town, Ovenden Pellon, Portsmouth, Ripponden, Rushworth, Savile Park, Skircoat Green, Sowerby, Sowerby Bridge, Sowood Green, Stainland, Todmorden, Triangle, Wainstalls, Walsden, Warley Town, West Vale and Wholestone Hill
Halifax Hotel, Halifax Bed and Breakfast, Halifax Cheap Hotel accommodation suitable for a Halifax Weekend Break, a Halifax City Break, Halifax Wedding Accommodation, Halifax Guys Night out, Halifax Girls Night out or even a Halifax Stag Night or a Halifax Hen Night