Victoria Gardens, The Headrow
Thursday 8 November
Entertainment from 6.45pm onwards
The countdown to Christmas officially starts with the annual Leeds Lights Switch-On on Victoria Gardens (in front of the City Art Gallery).
The entertainment, hosted by event partners Real Radio, will start from around 6.45pm with stage based fun for all the family featuring a vibrant mix of:
- Live music performers - Loveable Rogues & Tyler James
- Special guest celebrities
- Local sporting heroes - Jonathan Brownlee & Jack Laugher
- Pantomime characters
- Santa's Showtime
- Plus a small selection of fun fair rides along Cookridge Street
Travel info
- Disruptions to bus and train travel - West Yorkshire Metro
- For road closure info please see the link at the bottom of this page.
Event info
Successful Britain's Got Talent and The Voice contestants the Loveable Rogues and Tyler James have already been announced as the main musical performers at this year’s event, and they will now be joined by two newly-crowned Leeds world champions in the form of triathlete Jonathan Brownlee and City of Leeds diver Jack Laugher.
Jonny completed a dream year which saw him win bronze behind his older brother Alistair at the London 2012 Olympic Games by being crowned ITU World Triathlon Series Champion for the first time last month.
Diver Jack Laugher also competed at London 2012 for Team GB at the age of just 17, before going on to claim two gold medals and a silver in the FINA World Junior Diving Championships in Australia last month, including partnering British superstar Tom Daley to win the three metre synchronised title.
For exclusive announcements and all the latest news make sure you listen to the Real Radio Breakfast show or pick up a copy of the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Leeds United will also be represented at the event, with manager Neil Warnock and first-team players Jason Pearce, David Norris and Sam Byram being introduced to the crowds by Real Radio breakfast presenters Dixie and Gayle who will be hosting the show.
Leeds Rhinos and England player Ryan Hall will also be appearing at the event, bringing with him two very special pieces of silverware – the Super League trophy as well as the Rugby League World Cup trophy.
Other performances and appearances will come from Glee tribute act The Gleeks plus Allan Jay who plays Jack in The Carriageworks’ festive pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, along with Breeze Has Talent 2012 winners The Amazing Scuba Divers and Santa’s Showtime with his special guest helpers in the form of Dancing on Ice star Chico along with Ceebeebies presenter Alex Winters.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Ann Castle will also be guest of honour, joined by the newly appointed Leeds Children's Mayor.
The evening's entertainment culminates with the big switch-on (at aproximately 8.15pm) of one of the UK's largest city centre festive illumination displays and a spectacular firework display illuminating the skies all across the city.
