There will be no Christmas lights switch-on in Huddersfield this year but there will be a Christmas market and seasonal street entertainment.

Kirklees Council says neither Huddersfield nor Dewsbury will have a switch-on ceremony for “safety” reasons.

The council says ongoing and planned regeneration work in both town centres means the switch-ons can’t go ahead this year.

Huddersfield’s Christmas lights switch-ons in St George’s Square attract hundreds of people every year but work is ongoing for the TransPennine Route Upgrade at Huddersfield Railway Station.

A council spokesman said: “Christmas celebrations in Huddersfield and Dewsbury this year have been influenced by the major transport and regeneration works taking place in both towns, and for the safety of residents and visitors, it’s been deemed not possible to host larger scale events.”

Huddersfield’s Christmas weekend will take place on Saturday November 30 and Sunday December 1.

There will be a Christmas Market in the new events space at St Peter’s Gardens, next to Huddersfield Parish Church, and festive activities and entertainment in New Street.

The council says there will be a Santa’s grotto, live music, real reindeer, street entertainers, seasonally themed workshops, snow globe photo booths, a snowboard simulator and a ‘reindeer rodeo.’

 

 

The council has denied the scrapping of the switch-ons had anything to do with budget cuts or cost-savings.

The spokesman said: “Funding for town centre Christmas celebrations remains the same as last year.

“Officers have taken this opportunity to create a different Christmas offer presenting two full weekends of festive events and activities, with a real emphasis on supporting the high street, championing our local businesses and free family-friendly fun.”

Dewsbury’s Christmas weekend will be December 7 and 8.

Council leader and Cabinet member for culture Clr Carole Pattison said: “This year’s Christmas celebrations in Huddersfield and Dewsbury are shaping up to be better than ever with a real emphasis on supporting the high street, championing our local businesses and free family-friendly fun.

“We’re putting the spotlight on some of our fantastic, regenerated areas in Huddersfield, with a Christmas Market set to fill the newly-opened event space in St Peter’s Gardens and entertainment taking place on New Street.

“There will be lots of ways everyone can get involved in this year’s festivities and, as usual, it is free for all to enjoy.”

Further details of the Christmas programme will be announced in the build up to the festive weekends.

Images by: Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE