IF YOU happened to gaze up at Castle Hill last night, the chances are you spotted an amazing light show.
The unexpected spectacle was just a brief test-run for a big event next month, the Examiner can reveal.
The illuminations were part of preparations for the town's festival of light.
Local firm Tim Garbutt Events has been commissioned by Kirklees Council to create the illuminated extravaganza, which will celebrate the switching on of the town's Christmas lights, the start of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and Diwali, the Hindu and Sikh festival of lights.
During the week leading up to November 18, Castle Hill will be bathed in coloured lights. There will also be a searchlight placed on the hilltop, turning it into a giant lighthouse looking over Huddersfield.
Mr Garbutt said: "We wanted to wait and unveil the whole plans in November, but we realise a lot of people would wonder about the lights."
November 18 will see the switching on of Huddersfield's Christmas lights at the Piazza. There will then be a procession of lights and music via Kirkgate to St George's Square, which will be closed off to traffic.
Music specially commissioned for the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, which runs from November 19 to 28, will be played before Manchester theatre company Walk The Plank presents a production called Tower of Light.
As part of this, a tall metal lighthouse will be erected in St George's Square, which will be the hub of fireworks, lights and flame.
The performance will culminate in a huge fireworks display from behind the railway station.
