Bradford light switch-on to get Christmas underway
Bradford is hosting its Christmas lights switch-on to bring in the festive season.
Last updated 8th Nov 2025
The festive season is officially starting, with Bradford due to hold its Christmas lights switch-on this evening
The event will be hosted at the Broadway Shopping Centre, with a number of musical performances throughout the day, headlined by a set from girl band royalty Eternal at 6pm.
The lights will be switched on at 6.30pm, and those in attendance are invited to see take part in the BD: is Lit festival in the city centre afterwards.
Towns and villages across Bradford are hosting their own lights switch ons in the coming weeks, and many will be accompanied by a host of festive events in the run up to the switch on.
The weekend of the November 22 and 23 will be busy with Bingley, Haworth, Ilkley, Keighley and Shipley all having their Christmas light switch-on events. On Saturday 22 in Bingley the day of Christmas events starts at 9.30am with lights switch-on at 4.30pm.
On the same day Ilkley has a full day of activities with lights switch-on at 5pm, and in Keighley Town Centre the entertainment starts at 10am with switch-on at 5.05pm.
In Shipley Town Centre the fun takes place in the new Shipley Market Square with the event starting at 12pm and lights switch-on at 4.45pm.
On Sunday 23 November it’s the turn of Haworth with the switch on taking place in the Bronte Parsonage Museum car park at 5pm.
The following weekend is even busier with Christmas light switch-on events in Addingham, Baildon, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Clayton, Idle, Silsden and Wibsey.
On Saturday November 29 in Addingham on Main Street the event starts at 1pm and the lights will be switched on at 5pm, and in Baildon the event starts at 4pm, lights switch-on at 5.30pm. In Burley-in-Wharfedale there will be a market and craft fair from 2pm, with the switch-on taking place at 4.25pm.
In Wibsey there’ll be a Christmas Market and events from 11am with the lights switched on at 4pm. In Clayton the event starts 1.30pm at Clayton Village Hall with light switch-on at 4.30pm. On Sunday November 30 the light switch on event in Idle Village takes place between 3pm and 6pm and in Silsden there will be a Christmas Fair from 10am to 4pm in the Town Hall, followed by Carols at the bandstand and switching on of the Christmas Tree Lights.
The following weekend on Saturday 6 December will be the turn of Thackley at the Cricket Club. Their event starts at 2pm with the lights being switched on at 6pm.
For more information about events and activities taking place this Festive Season including Christmas Lights Switch-On events taking place across the Bradford district visit www.VisitBradford.com.