Ilkley Town Council is looking forward to this Saturday’s Christmas lights Switch On event, which is set to be lots of festive fun.
With an enchanting lantern parade led by Father Christmas along The Grove, a market where you will be able to make a start on your present shopping, a Christmas Grotto with the opportunity to take a selfie with Santa, musical performances and gymnastic and dance displays and the excitement of the big switch on, there’s lots to eagerly anticipate.
The build-up to the event has been a creative whirlwind: with the help of Cecil Green Arts, families and school children have made some fantastic lanterns during our workshop that will look magical as they light up the late afternoon dusk. If you missed the workshop, there’s still time to make a lantern at home (with plenty of free ideas available on the internet) – do bring it along as everyone is welcome and we hope as many families as possible will join in. Please meet at Ilkley’s Memorial Gardens from 4:15pm on Saturday, ready to parade at approximately 4:30pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
The street market will be open for business from 10am and there will be musical performances on Ilkley bandstand throughout the afternoon to get you in the festive spirit. Make sure you’re in position to be delighted by the lantern parade on The Grove and then watch a giant puppet greet the lantern bearers before the Mayor and Mayoress officially welcome Father Christmas to Ilkley, throwing sweets to children (and adults if they’re lucky).
Alex Cann from Your Ilkley Radio will be hosting the afternoon, which will see the lights switched on at 5pm and Santa’s grotto in Christchurch will then be open for Christmas wishes and more sweets!
The Grove will be closed to traffic from 7am on Saturday 23rd November and will reopen after the event between 6-7pm (as soon as it is safe to do so).
