Showers didn’t take the sparkle off Ripon’s Christmas lights switch on, with Santa, reindeer, free fairground rides for children and tribute acts all adding to yesterday afternoon’s family entertainment organised by Ripon City Council.
With rain relenting, a gathering of residents and visitors, mostly made up of family groups, poured onto Market Square and by the time the lights were switched on at 5pm, more than 2,000 people were present to welcome in the 2023 festive season.
Illuminating the city centre
The Christmas tree and lit up sleigh decoration on Market Place South
The Merry Christmas decoration on the entry to Kirkgate
Kirkgate lights on the approach to the cathedral
The display on Westgate
Fishergate
North Street
Entertainment for children
The three children’s fairground rides were in full swing all afternoon and into the evening
Santa took Christmas present orders from the children, while his reindeer took a rest
Musical entertainment
These children were full of early Christmas joy as they danced to girl band songs performed by the tribute act Xelle
The tribute act Boyz Beyond had the crowd rocking with classic songs from chart-topping boy bands
