We love spotting Christmas lights when we’re out and about and this year, it’s one of the few festive things we can do safely.
Although Christmas markets, lights switch-ons and many other formal events have been cancelled, communities in Calderdale have pulled together and there are neighbourhood lights trails, gorgeously-decorated houses and gardens, and beautifully-bright town centres to enjoy.
Head out for a walk, or bundle the kids into the car, and enjoy some good old socially-distanced Christmas cheer!
Although there wasn’t an official switch-on this year, Halifax town centre is still looking lovely and festive, with illuminated Quality Street lights adoring the lamp posts. My toddler yells “SWEETIES!” every time we drive past!
Woolshops has strings of warm lights and large candy cane decorations, while inside Halifax Borough Market, you’ll find an animatronic singing reindeer and cheeky talking postbox (last day to post your letters to Santa is December 14). There is a charity gifting tree too.
There’s a large, sparkling tree in The Piece Hall, courtyard, strings of lights and an illuminated “Christmas” sign – it’s the perfect place to soak up the Christmas atmosphere with a takeaway hot drink.
There’s a lovely Christmas tree in St George’s Square, and new Christmas lights in Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd (as well as a tree) too.
Funding was secured for new lights this year, and Todmorden town centre is twinkling in gold and silver.
You can’t beat a tour of beautifully-decorated houses and gardens when it’s just starting to get dark. Here are some of the streets that were recommended locally:
Granny Hall Lane, Brighouse
Hove Edge, Brighouse
Sunway in Southowram: “The houses at each side as you enter are all done up”
Fountain Head Village: “There are loads, especially at the top of Fountain Head Road”
Cobblestones Drive, Illingworth: “Have a few houses done up”
Moorbottom Road, Halifax: “House on the corner next to North Halifax School, has more lights than Blackpool!”
Elland: “By Old Earth School – you cannot miss it!”
St Andrews Drive, Brighouse
Rayner Road, Brighouse
Sandholme Crescent, Hipperholme
Clifton village
Harley Head Avenue, Lighcliffe
Silver Birch Avenue, Wyke
Grove Avenue, Ovenden
From nativity trails, advent window trails, festive adventures in parks and charity lights trails, there is plenty to choose from in Calderdale!
Skircoat Green Nativity Trail
Christmas Adventure in the ParkDownload the LoyalFree town centre app, then head off and search for your favourite festive window display in Brighouse town centre. There are five prizes to be won, and over 30 businesses taking part.
December 11 onwards
From December 11, houses and streets all over Calderdale will be sparkling brightly to raise money for Overgate Hospice. You will soon be able to download the trail map, then find the festive spectacles from the safety of your own car.
Light up Sowerby BridgeSpot the 12 beautiful festive scenes in shop windows in Halifax, and enter the draw to win a gift card by downloading the LoyalFree app.
December 1-31, 2020, 4-9pm
Walk or drive along this lovely festive trail of illuminated houses and gardens, running until December 24. You can download the trail map for Mirfield here.
For more festive family fun in Calderdale, including walks, days out, crafts, films, festive recipes, Christmas traditions, Christmas in lockdown ideas, virtual Santa experiences and much more click HERE.
For local news, ideas and tidbits, don’t forget to like our Facebook page, Calderdale Mumbler News Page!
