Ilkley set to sparkle this Christmas
Ilkley is preparing for a magical Christmas, with festive attractions, spectacular light displays and family activities designed to bring visitors and residents into the town centre and support local businesses.
Ilkley Business Improvement District (BID) has unveiled an exciting programme of Christmas initiatives, including a giant illuminated teddy bear, a spectacular light projection on Ilkley Town Hall, a Winter Wonderland Festive Trail, a Christmas shop window competition and a special promotional video celebrating the town's independent businesses.
Festivities begin on Saturday 21 November, with a giant illuminated Christmas teddy bear taking centre stage at Canker Well on The Grove - the same day as the Christmas lights get switched on.
The front of Ilkley Town Hall will be transformed by a magical Santa’s Workshop light projection, while families can enjoy a free Winter Wonderland Festive Trail running from 21 November until 3 January 2027.
Created by local artist John Giles, the trail features 12 festive scenes inspired by Ilkley landmarks. Each contains a hidden letter, with participants challenged to find all 12 for the chance to win a £50 Ilkley Gift Card. A bonus entry is available by rearranging the letters to reveal a famous Yorkshire legend.
Businesses will also compete in a Christmas Shop Window Competition, with the public voting for their favourite display. The winning business will be crowned Ilkley’s Best Dressed Christmas Window, while one lucky voter will win a £200 Piccolino gift voucher.
Adding to the festive celebrations, Ilkley BID will launch its first Discover Ilkley Christmas promotional video on Sunday 22 November, featuring 16 local businesses and their owners - showcasing the town as a special place to shop, eat and visit this Christmas.
Sarah Brookfield-Almond, Ilkley BID Manager, said: "We've been working hard since March to bring something really special to Ilkley this Christmas, and we're so excited to see everything coming together.
"Ilkley is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year, but there's something particularly magical about the town at Christmas. We wanted to build on that, create some exciting new attractions for families and give people even more reasons to come into town and support our fantastic local businesses."
Every year, Ilkley BID provides additional Christmas lighting in areas such as South Hawksworth Street and the Crescent Courtyard, complementing the lights installed by Ilkley Town Council, this year Ilkley BID wanted to go a step further.
Sarah added: "We're incredibly lucky to have such a fantastic mix of independent shops, cafés, restaurants and other businesses in Ilkley, and Christmas is a particularly important time of year for them.
"Ultimately, we want to create a town centre that looks wonderful, feels welcoming and gives people plenty of reasons to visit, enjoy themselves and spend time here. And if we can bring a little extra Christmas magic to Ilkley at the same time, even better!"
For details of all Christmas activities, including the festive trail and shop window competition, visit www.discoverilkley.co.uk.
