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26
Oct 2023
Last Updated: 25/10/2023
No Christmas lights switch-on event in Harrogate this year
Harrogate's Christmas lights will be switched on in three weeks' time — but once again there won't be an official event marking the occasion.
The event, which traditionally drew a crowd to the town centre to mark the start of the festive season, was halted due to covid.
It has not returned since and Harrogate Business Improvement District confirmed in a social media post the situation has not changed. It said:
"Harrogate BID are excited to announce that the Christmas lights will be switched on from Thursday 16th November in the town centre to kick start the festivities.
"As previous years, there will be a 'soft' switch on and no official event."
The Stray Ferret asked Matthew Chapman, chief executive of the BID, why the big switch-on wasn't happening this year.
Mr Chapman said:
"Whilst we totally understand and respect how popular the Harrogate Christmas lights switch-on used to be, taking feedback from our members on the return on investment it offered, it was decided to utilise our festive budget in more impactful ways as well as funding events throughout the year such as the Harrogate Celebration of Fashion, Harrogate Music Weekender and recent Britain in Bloom gold award-winning Floral Summer of Celebration.
"As with all projects at Harrogate BID, we are constantly reviewing and will do so again in 2024."
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