Hundreds of people filled Knaresborough Market Place last night for Bright Friday.

The community event began with a light parade from Knaresborough Castle to the Market Place, where there was festive music and entertainment.

At 6.30pm, Father Christmas appeared and at the end of a countdown the Christmas tree lights were switched on, marking the start of the festive period in Knaresborough.

Bright Friday began several years ago. It always takes place on the same day as Black Friday but rather than being about shopping and money, it is a free community event that brings people together to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

Here are some photos from last night.

Read more:

• ‘Absolutely sickening’ 20 Christmas trees stolen in Knaresborough
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The light parade was led by torchlight.

Hundreds of people wait for the lights to be switched on.

Town crier Mark Hunter and his consort.

Mayor Hannah Gostlow paves the way for Santa.

The Christmas season will get underway in Knaresborough tonight with Bright Friday.

The event — billed as the antidote to Black Friday — is a free community occasion that includes the Christmas tree lights switch on, a parade to music, mulled wine, Father Christmas and a school choir.

Organised by Knaresborough Town Council, it begins with a performance by Meadowside Academy Choir in the Market Place.

At 6pm, the light parade sets off from the war memorial in the grounds of Knaresborough Castle and at 6.30pm the Christmas tree lights are switched on.

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, the Mayor of Knaresborough, said the event is always held on the same day as shopping extravaganza Black Friday.

She added:

“It’s an antidote to Black Friday because it’s all about community and doing something positive — the true spirit of Christmas.”

Read more:

• ‘Absolutely sickening’ 20 Christmas trees stolen in Knaresborough
• Frustration grows over ‘rubble on the road’ saga in Knaresborough

During the current climate, we all need a bit of sparkle in our lives.

And what better way to inject some festive cheer than switching on the Christmas lights.

Here are the dates for your diary for switch-on events across the district:

Harrogate – Thursday, November 17

The countdown to Christmas in Harrogate will officially get underway this evening, with Harrogate BID flicking the festive switch.

There will be no official switch-on event this year, however Christmas lights around the town centre will start to dazzle for the first time this evening.

The whole town will be illuminated by the weekend.

Ripon – Saturday, November 19

Ripon’s festive season gets into full swing this weekend, with the switch-on of the city’s Christmas lights on Saturday.

The city’s Market Square will be a hive of activity from 1pm, ahead of the lights switch-on, which takes place at 5pm.

The reindeer, which proved popular when they visited Ripon for last year’s event, will be returning with Santa and once again there will be free fairground rides and a climbing wall for children to enjoy.

The Ripon City Council event will also provide free musical entertainment from 2pm.

Knaresborough – Friday, November 25

Boroughbridge – Wednesday, December 7

Santa’s sleigh out and about in Boroughbridge in 2018.

The annual late night Christmas Shopping and lights switch-on event, organised by the town’s Chamber of Trade, will take place on Wednesday, December 7.

The event kicks-off with the official switch-on of the Christmas tree lights in Hall Square at 5.30pm, followed by short performances by school choirs.

Boroughbridge Lions will have Santa and his sleigh on display and there will be children’s rides, along with the Scouts’ roast chestnuts and Brighter Boroughbridge with a mulled wine and mince pies stall. There will also be a hog roast.

The shop window display competition theme this year is “A Christmas Panto”.

The lights on the Christmas tree will be switched on by BBC Radio York’s Georgey Spanswick and the Mayor, Sean Hynes.