By Leah Conway –
While we approach the festive period once again, there are tons of exciting and festival community events across Kirklees and West Yorkshire. Here’s a look at some events and fundraisers you can get involved in this year.
Kirklees Events
The Penguin Elf – Huddersfield BID hosts a projection show from 24 to 27 November in Market Place, Huddersfield. Visitors will see a projected story, telling the adventures of a mischievous penguin at Christmas. It is a free event, which runs from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
The Huddersfield Town Foundation hosts another free Christmas Camp this Christmas Holiday. The foundation will pack three days full of sports such as football, dodgeball and cricket, and lots of arts and crafts fun and competitions! The event is targeted towards primary school children and will be hosted at the DRAM Centre in Huddersfield.
The session runs on Monday 20 December, Tuesday 21 December and Wednesday 22 December, each day running from 9:30 am to 15:00 pm. The event is free, but attendees must book in advance.
Christmas at The Lawrence Batley Theatre – this year, the theatre has a range of events; Robin Hood is running from the start of December until early January. There will also be a festive week of ‘Alfie The Elf’s Christmas Rescue. Other events include the regular Comedy Cellar, Tea and Tours, and a young Company Taster Day workshop.
The Huddersfield Winter Festival runs from 19 November until 24 December. Over the month, it will host a variety of entertainment and performances. The festival is open from Wednesdays to Sundays, from 11 am until 9 pm. Entry is free on Wednesdays and Thursdays until 2 pm. After 2 pm and on the other days, admission is £2 – with some exceptions if you just want to pop in for a coffee.
The Piazza – Hosting various unique festive events this year, from a Swank Christmas party on the 11 December, Christmas Artisan Market on 27 November, 10 am until 4 pm and the Inka the Polar Bear free-roaming performance on the 18 December.
Kirklees Light Railway – Back with their yearly Christmas specials, it has a great range of festive specials this year. ‘Santa Specials’ will see you join Santa’s elves on a Christmas adventure with singing and dancing. Another event is the brand ‘Mrs Claus’ Christmas Adventure, aimed at children aged 0 to 5. It involves going on a steam train ride to Mrs Claus’ cosy cabin for a Yuletide tale after you’ll meet one of Santa’s baby reindeer (Life-like puppet) and finishes off by selecting a gift from Mrs Claus’ unique Christmas shop.
Finally, the Mince Pie special returns this year with a chance to fit in one more mince pie before festivities come to a close. These events only run on the 2 and 3 of January 2022 on a special timetable and includes a return journey from Clayton West Train Station with a free mince pie! You can book all Kirklees Light Railway events through their website.
Beaumont Park Carol Concert and Santa Procession – Join a carol concert at Beaumont park on 12 December from 12pm onwards. There will be carol concerts as Santa process as well as lots of festive refreshments.
West Yorkshire Events
Christmas at Oakwell Hall – The historic hall is hosting a variety of events this Christmas. On 4 and 5 December, there will be a Christmas craft Weekend. It runs from 10 am to 4 pm on both days with a range of unique, independent gifts, decorations and treats to buy. Father Christmas visits Oakwell on Friday 17 December. There are two bookable slots 4:30 pm-5:30 pm and 5:30 pm-6:30 pm. Tickets are £8 per child and must be booked beforehand. Finally, from Saturday 4 December until Sunday 2 January, Oakwell Hall will be decorated in all its Christmas glory, adding a festive touch to your visit throughout Christmas
Eureka’s Santa Grotto – This Christmas, from 4 to 23 December Eureka in Halifax is hosting a Santa’s Grotto. You can share all your present requests, get a photo with Santa and his elves and receive a gift. You can buy your ticket when you arrive, which are £5 per child.
Keighley and Worth Valley Railway’s – The railway is hosting an Elf Express, Mulled Wine and Mince Pie specials this Year. Unfortunately, the Elf Express which is running from 27 November until 24 December has already sold out but you can join them for a Mulled Wine special on selected Fridays and Mondays throughout December or a Mince Pie Special which runs from Boxing Day until 3 January.
Local Fundraisers
Christmas Markets
Honley Together, Christmas Street Market – 5 December; 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. An annual street market which sees hundreds visit Honley village. The market is filled with a variety of stalls from food, tombolas and gifts. Brass bands will also attend, as well as Santa’s sleigh. Those who attend the market are asked to wear a mask too, hosted on Church Street, Honley.
Christmas Artisan market – A Market at the Piazza and Queensgate Market in Huddersfield on the 27 November 10 am to 3pm. The market is free entry with a range of free activities such as face painting, balloon modelling and crafts. There will be a Santa’s grotto, 20 craft stalls and 24 farmer market stalls.
Home Made Christmas Market at Colne Valley Museum – The museum is hosting a selection of over 12 local makers, crafters and artists on the 27 and 28 November, more details are on Colne Valley Museum’s Facebook page.
Victorian Christmas Fair, Huddersfield – Tolson Museum will host a unique Victorian Christmas Fair on Sunday 28 November. It runs from 11 am to 4 pm with a range of craft, gift and food stalls as well as Father Christmas in his grotto. Entry is free.
Christmas Craft Fair and Santa’s Grotto, Heckmondwike – Comrades Club in Heckmondwike are hosting a Christmas Craft fair on Saturday 4 December.
Northern Quarter Christmas Market – The Northern Quarter in Huddersfield is hosting a Christmas market on the evenings of the 3 and 4 December from 6 pm to 9 pm. The market includes DJs, community Gospel Choirs and bands.
Christmas Lights Switch On
Roberttown Christmas Lights Switch On 2021 – Friday 26 November 2021, Roberttown, from 5:15 pm to 7:30 pm, the lights switch on at 5:30 pm. There will also be entertainment from dance displays, choirs to The Huddersfield Youth Brass Band.
Golcar Christmas Lights Switch On 2021 – Friday 26 November 2021, Golcar, 5:30 pm
Holmfirth Christmas Celebration and Lights Switch On 2021 – Saturday 27 November 2021, Holmfirth. This event runs from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. It includes live music from the Honley Brass Brand and Valley Beats Percussion, circus performances. You will even get to meet the cast of Turn again theatre’s Snow White show.
Slaithwaite Lights Switch On 2021 – Saturday 27 November 2021, Slaithwaite. Running from 4 pm with the switch on at 5 pm. There will also be entertainment of a Christmas Nativity Trail, festive activities and an after-party at the Fire Station.
Birkenshaw Village Xmas Fayre and Light Switch on 2021 – An annual switch on and fayre running on Sunday 28 November from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Community Hall in Birkenshaw. The fayre has a wide range of food, craft and gift stalls. The community event raises money for the village, helping fund things like the Christmas lights, tree and they’re hoping it will help get more defibrillators into the village.
Meltham Lights Switch On 2021 – Friday 3 December 2021, Meltham. The Switch on is at 6 pm at Meltham Town Centre, for more details visit their Facebook page.
Dewsbury Lights Switch On 2021 – Saturday 4 December 2021, Dewsbury. Running from 12pm, with the Switch On at 6 pm. The event will also host a Christmas fair, fairground rides, choirs and a lantern parade.
Batley Lights Switch On 2021 – Saturday 4 December 2021, Batley. The Batley Switch On runs from 2 pm with the lights turning on at 6 pm at the Batley Town Centre.