Ilkley Town Council announces plans for Christmas Lights Switch-on
Ilkley Town Council is inviting residents and visitors to this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-On taking place on Saturday 21 November.
A full day of festive fun is planned, featuring the lantern parade on The Grove, a Christmas market offering the perfect opportunity to get started on Christmas shopping, a festive grotto where children can meet Santa, musical performances, and gymnastics and dance displays, all hosted by Your Ilkley Radio.
The day will culminate in the much-anticipated Christmas Lights Switch-On outside Christchurch by Father Christmas at 5pm. The full programme of activities and timings will be announced nearer the date.
Santa will once again be based in his grotto at Christchurch Ilkley, ready to hear children’s Christmas wishes for 2026. Following feedback from families who attended last year’s event, some changes have been introduced to improve the experience and reduce lengthy queues.
This year, Santa’s Grotto will be open from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, rather than after the lights are switched on at 5pm. The revised timings are intended to make the experience more convenient for families with young children.
Visits to Santa’s Grotto will be free but must be booked in advance to help reduce waiting times. Families can reserve their preferred time slot via Ticket Tailor.
For families unable to secure a grotto booking, there will still be an opportunity to see Father Christmas during the main event. From 4.30pm, Santa will be in the paddock area in front of Christchurch, waving to the crowds and handing out sweets before switching on the Christmas lights at 5pm. Visitors are encouraged to stay and enjoy this magical moment.
Ilkley Town Council has also announced lantern-making workshops will return for 2026, giving children the opportunity to create their own lanterns for the enchanting procession along The Grove.
Workshops will take place throughout November in local schools, alongside a community lantern-making session at Christchurch on Saturday 7 November. The community workshop will be facilitated by Cecil Green Arts. Further information and tickets are available via Cecil Green Arts on Ticket Tailor.
The Grove will be closed to traffic from 7am on Saturday 21 November and is expected to reopen between 6pm and 7pm, once it is safe to do so.
For further information about Ilkley’s Christmas Lights Switch-On, including approximate programme timings, visit the Ilkley Town Council website.
