THREE communities will be lit up for the festive season with special Christmas events this weekend.

Crowds are expected in Ilkley town centre on Saturday ready for the official switch-on of the Christmas lights, while both Burley-in-Wharfedale and Addingham are staging markets and other festive events in the run-up to the official switch-on of their own illuminations.

Events in Ilkley get underway from 3.30pm, as the build-up begins to the Christmas lights switch-on in The Grove.

Ilkley Rock Choir will be the first to perform on the stage. They will be followed by a packed timetable of live entertainment throughout the afternoon, including Joze School of Performing Arts, That Sing Thing, Moornotes Choir and festive singing with Guiseley Brass Band.

Betty’s and Lishman’s will provide refreshments. Children and their families are welcome to join in Father Christmas’ procession, which will leave Whitton Croft Road at 4.45pm.

The parade will travel along Station Road down to The Grove and will be led by Ilkley’s Town Crier, Isabel Ashman, followed by Father Christmas in his sleigh. Once the lights have been switched on, Santa will open his grotto in Christchurch.

There will be an afternoon of fun as Burley and District Chamber of Trade (Badcot) holds its annual Christmas market in the village, from 2pm to 5.30pm.

Villagers and residents from further afield are again expected to crowd into Main Street, to browse, buy gifts and treats from the stalls, and there will also be children's fairground rides in neighbouring Grange Park.

Wrights’ steam-engine will be back in the village, offering rides in Main Street, and there will be a Christmas craft fair in the Queen's Hall, from 1pm to 4pm.

The switch-on service will be to be held at Burley Grange, starting at 4pm. The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Joanne Dodds, will join children from village primary schools in front of Burley Grange for the official switch-on.

Meanwhile, Welcome to Yorkshire head, Sir Gary Verity, will be the special guest in Addingham to help gala queen, Briony Moffat, switch on the village's Christmas lights.

Shop local scheme, Totally Locally Addingham, is holding a Christmas market from 2.30pm in the car park area behind The Swan pub in Main Street.

It will be followed at 4.30pm with the switch-on of the village Christmas lights at Sugar Hill, Main Street.