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.
