Communities across Craven are all lit up for the festive season.

Folk singer Mike Harding switched on Settle’s Christmas lights – and treated residents to a song or two. Santa also put in an appearance and there was musical entertainment from local schoolchildren.

“There was a brilliant atmosphere in the town centre throughout the afternoon as locals and visitors enjoyed the entertainment, stalls, Father Christmas, fireworks, Shire horses, reindeer and the Christmas Lights,” said Steve Amphlett, of Vibrant Settle.

“The event exemplified true community spirit and was a real demonstration of the joy and good feeling that can be generated when all elements of the local community come together to put on a show.”

Silsden residents were out in force to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season in their town.

They gathered to enjoy a festive extravaganza, culminating in the switching on of their Christmas lights late in the afternoon.

The lights were turned on by local resident Mary Fryers and the ceremony was accompanied by a fireworks display.

“It went extremely well,” said Mags Croft, chairman of Silsden Gala Committee, which organised the event. “We managed to raise just short of £1,000 for gala funds.”

In Addingham, the lights switch-on was used to launch the shop local scheme, Totally Locally Addingham.

“It was unbelievable,” said Totally Locally organiser Sarah Mayo. “We could not have hoped for a better turnout, with hundreds packing into the market in The Swan car park and participating in the torchlight parade down to watch the switch on of the lights at the Christmas tree in the centre of the village.

“The atmosphere was incredible and a really fabulous way to start the festive period.”

The swtich-on ceremony was performed by Gala Queen Keira Heckman and the Rev Jill Perrett of St Peter’s Church.

Also in attendance were some Bradford Bulls players.

Across in Sutton-in-Craven, around 100 people braved wind and rain to see the annual switch-on of Christmas lights in Rowan Garth.

Silsden Town Band played carols and festive music under a temporary gazebo as the displays came to life. Over the past 10 years residents of the cul-de-sac have raised thousands of pounds for charity with their displays.

Resident Phil Corp said that for the first time this year every house in Rowan Garth had been decorated with Christmas lights.

He said: “The effect is absolutely stunning and has to be seen to be believed.”

Members of the public are welcome to visit the street to see the lights and make a donation in a box at 12 Rowan Garth.

This year the displays will raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Cancer Research and the British Heart Foundation. The lights will be on display until the New Year.