Enthusiastic crowds packed the streets and mills and factories closed for the day on September 7 1858 when Queen Victoria visited Leeds to open the building designed by visionary architect Cuthbert Brodrick.

The council is to mark the anniversary with a programme of events between September 6 and 16 which includes concerts, talks, tours and even a chance to abseil down the grade one listed building.

On September 6 the town hall will host a gala concert celebrating its rich musical history, with performances by Leeds Festival Chorus and Philharmonic Society and the orchestra of Opera North.

Linked to the birthday celebrations, a major conference – Music and the Idea of the North – takes place September 5-7 when international delegates will explore themes around the northern identity and the role music has played in the town hall since it opened.

The September 7 festivities will include a free open day.
Those with a head for heights can book in advance to climb the steps up to the most famous view in the city – from the four-sided clocktower.

Even more adventurous visitors could take the chance to abseil down the side of the building.

The celebrations on the Sunday continue in the evening with Rhapsody 150, a free concert in which young people from all over the city will tell the story of the town hall through music, dance and words.

The Town Hall's Victorian cells have held notorious criminals, including murderer Charlie Peace.

This darker side of the building's history is remembered with a series of guided tours – advance bookings only – on September 8, 9, 11 and 12 called Crime and Punishment.

City Organist Simon Lindley will be putting the mighty town hall organ through its paces in a free lunchtime celebration concert on September 8.

That evening Leeds Civic Trust director Kevin Grady and Leeds Civic Architect John Thorpe will give a talk on the history of Leeds Town Hall and some of the secrets of its design.

On the evening of September 10, best-selling crime author Sophie Hannah will visit the Victorian courtroom to talk about her career and her latest novel The Point of Rescue.

The final event of the celebrations takes place on September 16 when Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo will talk to over 1,200 young people from across Leeds about his new book Kaspar: Prince of Cats. Seats are already fully-booked for this event.

Coun John Procter, executive councillor for leisure, said: "Leeds Town Hall is without doubt the most famous building in the city, and we want everyone in Leeds to join with us in making the celebrations truly memorable.

"We all take huge amounts of pride in the magnificence of the town hall as a symbol of Leeds excellence known all over the world, so it would be fantastic to see people of all ages and backgrounds coming along to join us and give this amazing building the birthday party it deserves."

Clocktower tours can be booked on 224 3186 and for the guided Crime and Punishment tours on 224 3801.

For additional information on the celebrations visit www.leeds.gov.uk.