Over the decades, it has hosted festivals, sporting events, fireworks, circus shows, rock gigs and the world's first TV station.

Now Alexandra Palace is celebrating 150 years with a huge free party featuring family entertainment music and cinema.

Built as a 'people's palace' to bring leisure and entertainment to the Victorian masses, it opened on May 24, 1873 and burned down 16 days later - reopening in 1875.Ham & High: The palace hosts an annual firework night spectacularThe palace hosts an annual firework night spectacular (Image: Lloyd Winters)

The Muswell Hill landmark's Birthday Party on May 27 will takeover all corners of the 196-acre park and palace with DJs, film screenings, silent discos, a family rave and tours of the theatre and former BBC studios.

Food and drink on site will include a farmer's market street food and a beer garden with a chance to buy at a makers market.

The Palace's creative learning team will run workshops and family entertainment from midday until 9pm - most activities will be free with just a few which can be booked and paid for.Ham & High: Gigs at the Palace have ranged from The Rolling Stones to Madonna and Pink FloydGigs at the Palace have ranged from The Rolling Stones to Madonna and Pink Floyd (Image: Shutterstock/Courtesy of Alexandra Palace)

Emma Dagnes, Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust CEO, said: "It is amazing to be celebrating Ally Pally turning 150 years old. We’ve been here since before the light bulb was invented and we’ve certainly packed a lot into that time.

"The Birthday Party is a chance for people to come together, discover all that the Park and Palace has to offer and, more than anything else, enjoy themselves! We were built to provide entertainment and leisure to the masses, and over a century and a half later we are still doing just that, plus plenty, plenty more."

Over the decades Ally Pally has hosted historic moments in entertainnment history from the birthplace of the world’s first regular television station, to major rock performances by The Rolling Stones and Madonna.Ham & High: The palace hosted the Earthshot Prize attended by the Prince and Princess of WalesThe palace hosted the Earthshot Prize attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales (Image: Courtesy of Alexandra Palace)

Now run by a charitable trust, the Palace continues to provide popular entertainment with more than five million people expected to visit this year to take part in ice-skating, theatre, festivals, comedy and music concerts. It also plays a part in the local community through creative learning and art projects.Ham & High: The theatre hosts concerts, comedy and theatreThe theatre hosts concerts, comedy and theatre (Image: Courtesy of Alexandra Palace)

The 150th anniversary year will see a series of celebratory events starting off with the birthday party on May 27. More details at http://www.alexandrapalace.com/150party