Pudsey will come alive with festive cheer this Sunday as the town hosts its annual Christmas Lights Switch On, with a packed afternoon of family entertainment, stalls, food, and the much-anticipated countdown to the lights and fireworks.
Organised entirely by volunteers from the Pudsey Christmas Lights team, the event has grown into one of the biggest community celebrations in West Leeds, drawing thousands of residents each year.
This Sunday’s activities will run from 2pm to 6.30pm right across the town centre, with a wide range of events taking place inside community venues and along Lowtown.
Pudsey Leisure Centre will host more than 30 festive market stalls organised by Calverley Rotary Club, open from 2pm to 6pm. Pudsey Library will hold Christmas storytelling sessions with refreshments between 3pm and 5.30pm. At St Andrews Methodist Church, visitors can enjoy stalls and live entertainment from 3pm to 6pm, including singers, the Voices of Yorkshire choir, and Irish dancers.
Santa’s grotto will return to Pudsey House between 3pm and 5pm, offering families the chance to meet Father Christmas. Pudsey Market will be serving hot food alongside local traders from 2pm to 6pm, and the funfair will once again line Lowtown.
On the main stage, local young talent will be in the spotlight with performances from Lowtown Primary Choir, Pop Up Choir, and Music Box Youth.
This year’s switch on will welcome a special guest: local actress Tillie Amartey, best known to TV viewers for her role as Stacey Neville in Waterloo Road. Tillie recently appeared on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. She will be joined on stage by Santa, Ronnie Rhino, and this year’s Pudsey Carnival Queen as they help lead the countdown.
The lights and fireworks display will begin at 6pm on Lowtown.
Cllr Simon Seary said: “Every year the switch on brings the community together in a way that makes Pudsey feel really special. None of this would happen without the volunteers who work right through the year to raise money, install lights, and organise this event. I know families look forward to it just as much as we do, and this Sunday is set to be our biggest and brightest yet.”
The Pudsey Christmas Lights team said they are proud of how residents, businesses, and volunteers work together to support the event each year, from fundraising to installing lights across the town. December will also see the popular Santa’s Sleigh Tours return to Pudsey, Swinnow, and Tyersal over five nights starting Monday 15 December.
Crowds are advised to arrive early for the main switch on, as the area around the stage is expected to be especially busy.
More details here.
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