Heckmondwike's New Square and town centre were illuminated on Saturday, November 29, and brought people together for an afternoon of tradition, culture, nature, different cuisines and sparkling lights.
Despite the rainy weather, families visited to walk around the busy Christmas Market, with various stalls selling crafted festive gifts, floral bouquets, candles, cards, and sweets.
Refreshment stalls included traditional fish and chips, hot roast potatoes and baked beans, alongside the best of Indian samosas, kebabs, onion bhajis, curries, and herbal Indian Karak Chai (tea).
The town is well known for its festive illuminations, which date all the way back to December 22, 1876 - meaning next year will be the 150th anniversary.
Simon Thirkill, from the Fearless People charity which organised the event, said:
“This year’s successful switch-on was of course a run up towards next year’s ambitious 150th Heckmondwike Christmas Lights anniversary.
“Exciting plans are in the pipeline for a magnificent switch-on, along with a Victorian market, carol singing, concerts, and much more - and our preparations shall begin over the next twelve months.
“The town centre will, hopefully this time next year, go back to December 1876. Everyone had a great experience on Saturday, and our idea is to make next year’s 150th anniversary even bigger and better.”
This year’s event also saw live entertainment, a live falconry, and fairground rides for children, while local business owners enjoyed the celebrations.
Ismail Abbass, from the recently opened Glace Desserts, said:
“We were obviously delighted as a local small business to join in the festive celebrations. Events such as these are a brilliant way to bring everyone together. We are all part of one big human family, and we are also proud to be a part of the same colourful Heckmondwike community.
“Our dessert parlour and tasty ice creams are here for all the townsfolk, and it was lovely to see so many happy smiling faces during the event. We are always here to help out.”
Take a look through these great photos from Heckmondwike’s 149th Christmas lights switch-on.
1. Christmas in Heckmondwike
Santa came to Heckmondwike for the town's Christmas lights witch-on. Photo: SUB
3. Christmas in Heckmondwike
A live falconry came to Heckmondwike for the Christmas lights switch-on. Photo: SUB
4. Christmas in Heckmondwike
Ismail Abbass from Glace Desserts at this year's Heckmondwike Christmas lights switch-on event. Photo: SUB