Boost for town’s business as Festival of Light shines again

The weekend-long event will feature three nights of performances and attractions across and is expected to boost incomes for local businesses.

The festival, attended last year by more than 25,000 people, will feature internationally acclaimed theatre troupe Grupo Puja, who will perform a mix of rock music and daredevil acrobatics in St George’s Square. The event will also see suspended ballet down the walls of Huddersfield Art Gallery and French light installation artists TILT will be showcasing their magical garden of giant illuminated flowers in St Peter’s Gardens.

Last year’s increased visitors brought an estimated £500,000 of additional income to town centre businesses and Council leader Councillor Mehboob Khan, said that the event is drawing in visitors from all over. “The festival really does put Huddersfield on the map - it not only draws audiences from the local area but from outside Kirklees and beyond Yorkshire too,” he said. “I’m very proud that we have such a unique event in Huddersfield and that it is free for all to enjoy. “On an economic level, the festival benefits our local businesses – it gave some of the shops in Byram Arcade their busiest day in over seven years last year.”

The Festival of Light runs from December 2-4. Visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/festival.