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Hundreds of people filled Knaresborough Market Place last night for Bright Friday.
The community event began with a light parade from Knaresborough Castle to the Market Place, where there was festive music and entertainment.
At 6.30pm, Father Christmas appeared and at the end of a countdown the Christmas tree lights were switched on, marking the start of the festive period in Knaresborough.
Bright Friday began several years ago. It always takes place on the same day as Black Friday but rather than being about shopping and money, it is a free community event that brings people together to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.
Here are some photos from last night.
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The light parade was led by torchlight.
Hundreds of people wait for the lights to be switched on.
Town crier Mark Hunter and his consort.
Mayor Hannah Gostlow paves the way for Santa.
GALLERY: Ripon Christmas lights switch on attracts 2,000 people
Showers didn’t take the sparkle off Ripon’s Christmas lights switch on, with Santa, reindeer, free fairground rides for children and tribute acts all adding to yesterday afternoon’s family entertainment organised by Ripon City Council.
With rain relenting, a gathering of residents and visitors, mostly made up of family groups, poured onto Market Square and by the time the lights were switched on at 5pm, more than 2,000 people were present to welcome in the 2023 festive season.
Illuminating the city centre
The Christmas tree and lit up sleigh decoration on Market Place South
The Merry Christmas decoration on the entry to Kirkgate
Kirkgate lights on the approach to the cathedral
The display on Westgate
Fishergate
North Street
Entertainment for children
The three children’s fairground rides were in full swing all afternoon and into the evening
Santa took Christmas present orders from the children, while his reindeer took a rest
Musical entertainment
These children were full of early Christmas joy as they danced to girl band songs performed by the tribute act Xelle
The tribute act Boyz Beyond had the crowd rocking with classic songs from chart-topping boy bands
The festive season got underway in Harrogate town centre today when the Christmas lights were switched on.
The lights are organised by Harrogate Business Improvement District, which is funded by a levy paid by town centre traders. The levy pays for initiatives that encourage more people to visit the town, such as the lights.
As with recent years, today’s switch-on was a low-key ‘soft’ event rather than a public occasion.
The BID said previously it decided to go down this route based on feedback from members, which suggested they would prefer the organisation to spend its budget in “more impactful ways”.
Below is a selection of images taken today.
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