Catherine Louise TurnerTowns, suburbs, and villages across East Leeds and Wetherby are preparing to light up high streets, village halls, and market squares over the coming weeks as parish councils, town officials, and volunteer committees finalise their 2026 Christmas lights celebrations.
Spanning from mid-November through to early December, this year’s programme brings together brass bands, carol concerts, festive markets, fireworks, and illuminated trails across the region.
Week One: Curtain-Raisers Across Cross Gates, Preston, and Swillington
The festive countdown begins on Friday, 13 November with two major celebrations running simultaneously on opposite sides of East Leeds:
- Cross Gates High Street Switch-On: Festivities kick off with a live stage show starting at 6:45 pm, building up to a fireworks display and the official lights switch-on at 8:00 pm.
- Great & Little Preston: Hosted by Great and Little Preston Parish Council, families can gather at Great Preston Village Hall between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm for an evening of community cheer.
The celebrations continue the very next afternoon on Saturday, 14 November, when Swillington hosts its annual Swillington Christmas Lights & Market starting at 2:00 pm at Swillington Sports & Social Club, pairing local shopping stalls with the village switch-on.
Week Two: Garforth, Micklefield, Halton, Allerton Bywater, and Kippax
The busiest weekend of the festive calendar arrives a week later, with five local destinations lighting up between Friday, 20 November and Sunday, 22 November:
- Garforth (Friday, 20 November): Main Street comes alive from 5:00 pm (running through to 7:30 pm–8:00 pm), complemented by the Garforth Night Market at The Lord Gascoigne.
- Micklefield (Friday, 20 November): Organised by Micklefield Parish Council, crowds will gather at Churchville House from 5:30 pm ahead of the 6:30 pm switch-on, enjoying performances from a brass band, rock choir, and school choir alongside hot food and a visit from Santa.
- Halton / Temple Newsam (Opens Friday, 20 November): While Halton village does not have a separate high street switch-on listing, neighbouring Temple Newsam launches Northern Lights Leeds (The Lost Light of Christmas) on Friday, 20 November (running nightly through 31 December 2026, with entry from 4:15 pm), transforming the historic estate into a mile-long illuminated trail alongside a festive Christmas Village.
- Allerton Bywater (Saturday, 21 November): Hosted by Allerton Bywater Parish Council at St Mary’s Church (WF10 2GL) from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, the afternoon features Garforth Brass, VivaVox Choir, craft stalls, and free Santa visits before the lights are switched on at 6:30 pm.
- Aberford (Saturday, 21 November): Christmas Lights Switch-On and Christmas Market starting at 4:00pm at Aberford Village Hall and on Main Street. The market opens alongside the children’s party, leading up to the official light switch-on and fireworks at 7:00pm. Main Street remains closed to traffic from 2:00 pm to 10:00pm to allow safe setup and clearing. Aberford & District Parish Council Temporary Road Closure PDF
- Scholes (Sunday 22 November): From 10:00am, Christmas Market at the Buffers – featuring festive stalls. Mulled wine and breakfast will be served inside the pub. St Phillip’s Church Christmas Fayre, (Saturday, 28 November) from 10:00 am to 12:00pm featuring gift stalls, coffee, cakes, and carols in the community café.
- Kippax (Sunday, 22 November): Kippax Parish Council rounds off the weekend from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm, offering a festive funfair, stalls, and Santa before a 5:00 pm switch-on accompanied by fireworks.
Late November & Early December Finale: Scarcroft, Wetherby, and Cross Gates
Festivities continue into late November and the first weekend of December across the northern villages, Wetherby, and Cross Gates:
- Scarcroft (Friday, 27 November): Scarcroft Parish Council welcomes residents to The Inn from 6:00 pm, featuring Kippax Brass Band performing ahead of the switch-on alongside mulled wine, mince pies, and live music.
- Barwick in Elmet (Sunday 29 November): Get into the festive spirit at the Christmas Market, Village Hall, from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Local stores, including gifts, doggie treats, decorations, wreaths and jewellery. Food and hot drinks will be served.
- Wetherby (Saturday, 5 December): Following an agreement by Wetherby Town Council to fund lamppost installation compliance alongside the volunteer Wetherby Christmas Lights Team, the town’s official Christmas Lights Switch-On and Carol Concert takes place on Saturday, 5 December 2026, from 4:00 pm onwards around the Town Hall and Market Place.
- Crossgates Community Centre Christmas Fair (Saturday, 5 December): Cross Gates hosts a second community celebration on Saturday, 5 December 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Crossgates Community Centre on Maryfield Avenue.
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