For many the turning on of the festive lights in their town or village across the city heralds the start of the Christmas festivities. These photos, plucked from the YEP archive, showcase memories of switch on ceremonies during the 1990s across the city suburbs as well as satellite communities outside the LS postcode. READ MORE: Memorable Leeds Christmas Lights switch-on nights LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
1. Yeadon
Actress Liz Dawn, better known as Coronation Street's Vera Duckworth, pictured with local school children after switching on the Christmas lights in December 1995. | James Hardisty Photo: James Hardisty
2. Otley
This is Hannah Birkett at the switch on of Otley Christmas lights at the town's Market Place in December 1997.. | Roy Fox Photo: Roy Fox
3. Guiseley
Guiseley's Christmas tree only had lights on the top in December 1997 to stop vandalism. | Mark Bickerdike Photo: Mark Bickerdike
4. Yeadon
Emmerdale star Mandy Dingle, alias actress Lisa Riley helped switch on Yeadon's Christmas Lights in December 1996. Giving her a helping hand was the Lord Mayor of Leeds Coun Malcolm Bedford. | James Hardisty Photo: James Hardisty
5. White Rose Centre
Brookside actor Steven Pinder, who plays Max Farnham, joined Santa Claus at the White Rose Centre to switch on their Christmas lights in November 1997. | Mark Bickerdike Photo: Mark Bickerdike
6. Morley
The Morley Christmas lights switch on was in safe hands in December 1998. Leeds United goalkeeper Nigel Martyn did the honours. | Bruce Rollinson Photo: Bruce Rollinson