By KLTV Newsdesk –

Towns across Kirklees will sparkle with lights, performances, and markets — bringing local creativity and Christmas spirit to life this season.

This year, Dewsbury and Huddersfield are set to be transformed into festive wonderlands as two major Christmas events light up the season.

Each town centre will host a packed day of entertainment, creative workshops, live performances and traditional markets — with everything completely free for the community to enjoy.

Local creators, performers, and vendors will take centre stage, with organisers partnering with community groups to deliver a “fantastic array of festive entertainment.”

Christmas in Huddersfield – Saturday 29 November

Huddersfield’s celebrations begin on Saturday 29 November, with a day full of festive creativity and immersive experiences.

In partnership with the Huddersfield BID and supported by Our Cultural Heart, the event promises a traditional Christmas market, hands-on craft workshops at the Creative Piazza, and a vibrant line-up of live performances throughout the day.

Winter Worlds: A Festive Wonderland

From 11am to 4:30pm, families can explore Winter Worlds at the Creative Piazza – the soon-to-be home of Our Cultural Heart. Activities include a ride-on steam train, skating, face painting, and creative workshops led by local artisans.

Visitors can enjoy print-making with the West Yorkshire Print Workshop, textiles with Thread Republic, and even decorate their own elf at MakerWorld.

Music, Theatre and Magic

Live performances will run all day. Local children’s theatre company Tell Tale Hearts will perform their much-loved Trunk Tales – “through which children can hear stories and adventures from all across the globe” – now with a special winter twist.

Crowd favourites The Daves will bring Christmas puppetry to life, while walkabout acts like Poppy Poppins and the infectious rhythms of Huddersfield Samba will keep the festive spirit high.

Market and Fire Garden

The Christmas Market in St. Peter’s Gardens, open from 12pm to 8pm, will feature local traders offering festive food, drinks, and crafts, alongside a cosy tipi-style beer tent.

As night falls, the ‘Merry & Bright Moment’ will unite the town in light. Everyone is invited to gather on New Street at 5:30pm, forming a glowing Christmas chain with strings of lights illuminated in unison by the Huddersfield BID.

Creative participants can even make their own lanterns through CollaborARTi’s pre-event workshops.

The evening culminates with a spectacular Festive Fire Garden in St. Peter’s Gardens — a magical trail of flaming sculptures and glowing trees, symbolising the “rebirth of Huddersfield through all its investment over the coming years.”

Christmas in Dewsbury – Saturday 6 December

The following weekend, Dewsbury will host its own spectacular celebration on Saturday 6 December, with festive fun stretching from the Town Hall to the Prince of Wales Precinct.

Working with The Arcade Group – the community organisation set to manage the Dewsbury Arcade when it reopens next year – the event will feature a traditional Christmas market, a community music stage, creative workshops, and plenty of surprises for families.

Say Hello to Santa

The Arcade Group will lend its pop-up shop to Santa’s Grotto, where children can meet Father Christmas himself. The town centre will also be filled with mischievous Christmas elves to discover – perfect for an interactive family activity.

Local Talent on Stage

Music lovers can enjoy performances from bhangra artist Hardeep Sahota, singer Mitchy, the Yorkshire Folk Choir, and the Musica Combined Children’s Choir.

Theatre fans can once again catch Tell Tale Hearts performing Trunk Tales, alongside Topsy Turvy Theatre and their charming festive production Christopher’s Christmas, presented with Creative Scene.

Walkabout performers, including playful elves Ebor n Gum, Huddersfield Samba, and a giant barn owl puppet called Thingumajig, will add extra sparkle to the celebrations.

Get Creative and Crafty

Dewsbury’s event will also offer a host of creative activities. Through WOVEN, visitors can “make and take” their own festive rag wreaths from recycled textiles. The Creative Scene ‘Pow Space’ will open up for art and creativity, and local artist Ruth Dyer will unveil a giant interactive colouring wall for all to contribute to.