Date change for first ever virtual Leeds Christmas lights switch-on

Held virtually for the first time in its history, the 2020 switch-on was originally planned for mid-November.

But council chiefs have decided to move the event to Wednesday, December 2, to coincide with Leeds, like the rest of the country, coming out of a second national lockdown.

Leeds City Council is asking people to submit video clips and images of their Christmas light displays at home so they can feature in a dazzling digital montage that will be the climax of the big virtual switch on.

The finished video will be set to a very special performance of Light up the Sky by pop band The Dunwells.

The event will also feature performances from panto and theatre stars along with messages from local sporting celebrities and the Lord Mayor of Leeds.

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “With restrictions currently in place to manage the spread of COVID-19, we have decided to reschedule our virtual Christmas lights switch-on event, which will now take place on December 2.

“We hope holding the celebration on this new date will give people something to look forward to during lockdown and enable more people to participate and get the countdown to Christmas officially underway.

“More details about the line-up for the online switch-on will be released soon and people can still email pictures and videos of their own festive lights displays to: [email protected] by Sunday, November 29.”

* The virtual switch-on event will be free to watch on the Millennium Square YouTube channel and Facebook page on Wednesday, December 2.

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