Horsforth Christmas lights switch on 2025

Published: 23 December 2025

A huge thank you to all of Horsforth who came to the Horsforth Christmas lights switch on this year! What an incredible event it was and great to see so many people of Horsforth out enjoying entertainment, activities and market - a big relief after last year's disruption due to the weather.

Thank you to everyone involved in bringing this Christmas extravaganza to Horsforth, including Horsforth Town Councillors and City Councillors, local businesses, our first aiders, traffic management, Police, stage and sound engineers, the festive stall vendors and businesses behind Horsforth Town Team. Thank you too to Horsforth Museum who kindly offered their premises to host our Santa's grotto and the magical Narnia experience provided by Playful Anywhere. Revellers were treated to the fabulous circus skills from Storm in a Teacup Circus who entertained the crowds throughout the day. Did you also see the Horsforth Sprite? Brought to you by the people behind Horsforth Walk of Art, the team behind Playful Anywhere and Form in Fabric, this wonderful lantern took its debut walked down Town Street accompanied by the musical talents from the people behind LS18 Rocks. The Horsforth Lantern Festival will be taking place on 28 February 2026 in Horsforth Hall Park.

We wish to thank all our performers and special guests, including LS18 Rocks, school choirs from the choirs from Horsforth St Mary's Catholic Voluntary Academy, Horsforth Newlaithes Primary School and Westbrook Lane Primary School, Dave Prater, Colin the band, The Hummingbirds, Horsforth Music Centre and DJ sets from Simon Page, Emma Hogan, Tequila Kel, Chris Hall and Nelly. 

Last, but by no means least a big thanks to our sponsors Leeds Bradford Airport, Jordan's Solicitors and Hooleos Mexican Cafe Bar. Without their generous support we would not be able to bring you the wonderful event in its capacity. 

The evening played host to to an awards ceremony. The Heart of Horsforth awards were presented by Chair of Horsforth Town Council, Gill Garvani and Katie White, MP for Leeds North West. Read more about our winners here. We also ran a competition in the lead up to the event, inviting businesses of Horsforth to decorate their windows in a festive way and asked residents to select their favourites. We had three winners: Alanna Eve and Hair & Beauty on Town Street, Clarkes Independent Centre of New Road Side and Total Being Hair of Station Road. Councillor John Garvani and Steph White presented the winners with their certificates and flowers following the event.

A competition was run on the day for one lucky child to help switch on the Christmas lights. Niamh Heron of St Margaret's Primary School was thrilled to be chosen from all the entries. "I was a bit nervous before hand but everyone was lovely. It was so exciting seeing everyone from the stage and a great moment that I will remember forever." Lachie Miller of Leeds Rhinos greeted her on stage, along with Santa Claus, as they turned the lights on and officially kicked off the Christmas 2025 celebrations everyone had been waiting for.

Chris Hall and Nelly closed the event with a fantastic DJ set that got everyone dancing.

What a great day. We hope that everyone has a fabulous festive season and here's to 2026!