By Jim Corah
With November just around the corner Kirkstall Advent Trail is preparing homes and businesses for window displays throughout December.
There will be a trail of 24 numbered displays along with a variety of ‘star’ windows for visitors to find.
While most of the numbered displays have been arranged, volunteer organisers are interested in anyone wanting to have a star display. Each window starts off as an A2 piece of black paper, which is then used to create a backlight advent window.
It is a Swedish tradition that can be dated to the 1800s. Lighting up windows in the dark gloom of winter, Advent candles would appear in windows to illuminate the street below.
Fast forward to the 21st century. In 2005, Old Town Stockholm created the first ‘Levande julkalendern’ (Living Advent). Decorated windows were revealed each day during Advent, in the lead up to Christmas, to the delight of passers-by. It has since spread across Northern Europe and reached the shores of the UK.
Kirkstall Advent Trail began as a means to being the community together during the first winter lockdown. 2020 was the first year the Kirkstall Art Trail had not run, so residents were able to be creative while also observing lockdown precautions.
If you are interested in joining them or finding out more, get in touch with the team via e-mail:Â info@kirkstallarttrail.co.uk.Â
You can follow the advent trail on a dedicated Instagram @kirkstalladvent
Art trail AGM
With Kirkstall Advent Trail being a sister project to Kirkstall Art Trail, it is an opportune moment to announce that the KAT annual general meeting will be taking place on Tuesday, 19 November 2024.
At the time of writing there are over 260 days to the event taking place on Saturday, 19 July and Sunday, 20 July 2025, and organising has already started to build on this year’s success. To get involved and come to the AGM please e-mail info@kirkstallarttrail.co.uk for details.
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