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West Yorkshire Town Lights Up for 149 Years
7 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Heckmondwike has lit up for Christmas for 149 years.
- The town claims to have had electrical lights before Blackpool.
- This year's switch-on featured a funfair and market.
Heckmondwike, a town in West Yorkshire, is marking an impressive milestone by celebrating 149 years of its Christmas lights tradition. This long-standing custom began in the late 1860s, with the earliest documented newspaper coverage appearing in December 1876.
The town holds a unique historical claim, asserting it possessed electrical lighting installations prior to Blackpool, which is famously illuminated. This distinction is a point of local pride and a significant part of Heckmondwike's heritage.
The recent switch-on event, held at the end of November, drew crowds with an accompanying funfair and market, continuing the festive spirit and community engagement that has characterized this beloved tradition for nearly a century and a half.
