AN international saxophonist and a global superhero will be performing the honours when Keighley and Silsden switch on their Christmas lights next weekend.

Both ceremonies take place on Sunday, November 24, as part of packed programmes offering a range of festive entertainment.

In Keighley, activities begin at 11.15am.

Church Green will host children's inflatable rides, including a giant snow globe, rodeo reindeer and snowboard simulator.

There will be performances from Rock Choir; Halfmark; talent contest winners Cheyenne Smith, Minnie Wilson and Emily Walker; BOLT Academy; The Veese; Marigold Addams; The Trilogies and Ellie Sax, who will switch on the lights at 4.50pm.

World-acclaimed saxophone player Ellie has performed at top events, from the Monaco Grand Prix to Glastonbury.

Other attractions will include a Christmas market, free festive wreath making and charity stalls.

Plus there will be donkey rides, Buddy the elf, stilt walkers and Santa with his elves.

For updates, visit facebook.com/keighleytowncouncil

At Silsden, celebrations start with a Christmas market, from 10am, in the town hall. The event will run throughout the day.

The lights switch on takes place from 4pm in the memorial gardens.

Amongst those performing the ceremony will be Batman, courtesy of Jon Richelieu-Booth, and his business Phoenix Evolution Consulting.

Jon built his first version of the bat suit, based on Ben Affleck's interpretation from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, during the pandemic and has refined it over the past couple of years.

He makes free charitable appearances, and has featured at venues including the White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds for CALM and at Trinity Walk Shopping Centre, Wakefield, in support of Forget Me Not Children's Hospice.

Batman will be joined at the switch on by the Friends of Silsden Green Spaces, whose volunteers work year-long to keep the town looking attractive, including through arranging hanging baskets and managing a 'sharing table' where residents can deposit bulbs, cuttings and fruit and veg.

After the lights switch on, there is a free band concert at the town hall.

Steven Clayton – chair of Silsden Gala Committee, which is spearheading the activities – says: "The Silsden lights switch on is a real community event and this year we're thrilled that so many of our groups have come together. Several have taken stalls at the market. Our shops, cafes and pubs will be open, and we hope the community will ‘come to town’ to support this magical event."