The long wait is nearly over! This Saturday Father Christmas will arrive in his carriage to switch on the Ilkley Christmas Lights.
It is two years since he last came to Ilkley and the Town Council has planned a day of celebration to mark the occasion.
DUE TO THE WEATHER FORECAST - THE REAL FOOD MARKET HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Throughout the day, weather permitting, Ilkley Real Food in conjunction with Bradford Markets will be running a special seasonal market along The Grove. Once again members of the Bradford Concert Band will be bringing festive cheer to the afternoon by providing music on the Bandstand between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.
At 3:45pm Rombalds Radio's Nick Babb and Stuart Clarkson will up the baton and host an hour of performances by local entertainers, featuring Ilkley Gym Club, Mark Gregory Seasonal Songs and Performance Drama School.
Father Christmas will arrive at War Memorial Gardens at 4.30pm, ready to start the carriage procession up the Grove at 4.40pm and would welcome children to join him on the route. The Town Crier will make her Christmas declaration at 5.00pm and signal the countdown to the lights switch on. Afterwards the little people can go and visit Santa in his gazebo, by the bandstand.
Additionally, this year from 5th December there will be a Covid Cube of Remembrance; residents and visitors to the town will be encouraged to leave their messages and attach them to the 2m gold-coloured cube, which will sit in Canker Well Gardens on the corner of the Grove and Cunliffe Road.
With the weather forecast even suggesting a dusting of snow, it should be the perfect afternoon to set the Christmas spirit that has been missing last year. Santa is really looking forward to seeing you and yours.
