Families in Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd will still be able to start the Christmas period with some festive community events – despite some changes this year.

Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge are once again set to have Christmas lights switch-on and Santa’s grotto events, although there will be some changes to previous years, Hebden Royd Town Council (HRTC) said.

This year, the switch-on and Santa’s grotto events will take place separately, on different dates in both Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge.

Two separate lights switch-on events, with family-friendly entertainment from community acts, will take place in both Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd in November, followed by two separate Santa’s grotto events with children’s craft activities in December, again in both Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd.

Families in Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd will still be able to start the Christmas period with some festive community events – despite some changes this year.

placeholder image — Families in Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd will still be able to start the Christmas period with some festive community events – despite some changes this year.

HRTC said the revised approach comes as a result of feedback from families who previously found themselves divided between queuing to see Santa and potentially missing acts such as local school singing on stage.

The Christmas lights switch-on events take place in November to align with the installation of Christmas lights.

In previous years, families have visited Santa’s grotto at the same event.

HRTC said it hopes that by separating the events, families can focus on the parts “that are special to them” while increasing footfall to local businesses.

This year, the switch-on and Santa’s grotto events will take place separately, on different dates in both Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge.

The changes to this year’s Christmas events also aim to spread town council investment more widely across the festive season, rather that at one event, HRTC said.

Other revisions this year also include changes to big-ticket acts, which the town council said will be “stripped back”, with a bigger focus on community groups.

The scale and duration of the Mytholmroyd switch-on event will also be smaller, with it being relocated from Mytholmroyd Community Centre back to St Michael’s Church.

HRTC said this will form a “smaller event that is much more reflective of the same event held at Hebden Bridge”.

HRTC said these changes come against “the backdrop of a cost of living crisis and continuing pressures on councils to provide excellent value for public money”.

“The approach also intends to balance the rising costs of running larger-scale community events with a reduced projects and events budget,” it added.

The Christmas lights switch-on events previously came under the name Light Up the Valley, and was previously delivered in partnership with the Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge.

HRTC said the club will focus on “alternative projects” and that Light Up the Valley has reached a “natural conclusion”.

Dates for the Christmas lights switch-on events:

Saturday, November 21 – St Michael’s Church, Mytholmroyd.

Thursday, November 26 – St George’s Square, Hebden Bridge.

Dates for the Santa’s grotto events:

Sunday, December 6 – Mytholmroyd Community Centre.

Saturday, December 12 – Hebden Bridge Town Hall.

Mayor of Hebden Royd, Coun Steve Woodhead, thanked those who were previously involved in delivering Light Up the Valley, and said the town council looks forward to working with the Rotary Club on future projects.

Coun Woodhead said: “Rotary’s Light up the Valley, which came out of the post-Covid period with the intention of returning to community life, did an outstanding job.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the Rotarians, volunteers, staff and council officers that made it happen.

“An extra special thank you is due to Rotary’s Roger Benn, who worked tirelessly over many years to bring Christmas magic to thousands of residents and visitors alike.

“We look forward to continuing to partner with the Rotary on future projects and we’re excited for what the next chapter may bring.”

Coun Rosemary Hedges, chair of the Christmas lighting, projects and events committee, said: “The festive events planned for 2026 have the community and families at their heart.

“While slightly different to previous years, they will keep our community’s traditions at the forefront and means that we can spread the festive cheer further this season.

“Critically, the new, more condensed lights switch-on events leave scope for community investment beyond Christmas.”