Leeds Christmas Lights Switch on 2020: When are the Christmas lights being switched on, who is switching on Leeds Christmas lights and how to watch

Leeds Christmas lights will be lit up across the city centre on Wednesday night - despite Tier 3 lockdown
The Leeds Christmas Lights switch-on 2020 will be held on December 2The Leeds Christmas Lights switch-on 2020 will be held on December 2
The Leeds Christmas Lights switch-on 2020 will be held on December 2

The Christmas lights switch-on for Leeds is a virtual event this year (thanks Covid) but the lights are still going to be switched on and the festive illuminations will still be twinkling across the city from this evening.

What time are Leeds Christmas lights being switched on and how to watch

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Leeds Christmas lights switch-on will start at 6.30pm and will be streamed virtually rather than being an event held in the city centre.

The switch on will feature performances from pop star John Newman, 80s legend John Parr, local band The Dunwells and Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist Class Dynamix.

Joining them will be CBeebies presenter Alex Winters, Leeds band Hyde Park Brass and Leeds singer Chante Amour.

The Leeds United first team and ladies squads and world champion boxer Josh Warrington will also be getting involved.

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There will be a message from the Lord Mayor of Leeds and residents from across the city could see their submitted Christmas light displays featured as part of the show.

To watch the event head to the Millennium Square YouTube channel or Facebook page . The Yorkshire Evening Post's Facebook page will also be hosting the event on to watch live from 6.30pm.

What will the Christmas lights look like in Leeds?

Neon signs with messages will be hung over the street including the words of a poem by local creative writer Kate Ryrie.

The greetings read: "Dear Leeds, we are your people; Past, present and future; Of big hearts and bigger minds; Exactly where you’re meant to be; A new year, your future’s in sight; Marching on together; Where tomorrow is ours; This is your time, love Leeds x."

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“Dear Leeds” forms the centrepiece of the Welcome Back to Leeds this Christmas as retail and some other businesses look to reopen from today.

The installation is brought to the city by LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District), working with renowned design and infrastructure consultancy James Glancy Design, who specialise in festive lighting.

Can I go visit the Leeds Christmas lights in person?

The Christmas lights will be switched on from Wednesday December 2 from about 6.30pm, and although the event will be streamed, the lights will be visible in person. Due to Covid restrictions, the event is being held virtually because mass gatherings cannot go ahead right now.

But if you're out and about in the city centre to do your Christmas shopping - now that shops have reopened - you will be able to catch a look at the lights through the city centre.

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