A spectacular fireworks display from the top of the Civic Centre, real reindeers parading through the streets and an open-air carol concert – welcome to this year’s Christmas celebrations in Wolverhampton.

Council chiefs have today unveiled full details of the packed programme of events they are sure will get the whole city into the Christmas spirit.

Around £100,000 is being spent on the celebrations and 25,000 leaflets are being distributed around Wolverhampton to try and get everybody involved.

Santa will be making his way to the city when Wolverhampton’s main Christmas lights are switched on on November 26. A children’s fun fair will also be set up in Market Square and choirs will perform during the celebrations as a parade of real reindeers plod through the city.

Maisie Wills, who celebrated her 100th birthday in August by visiting the historic Wightwick Manor where she grew up, will be leading the switch on of Tettenhall’s festive lights on November 28.

And Bilston Town Hall, which recently re-opened in a blaze of glory following a near £2 million restoration, will be coming aglow on November 29.

A host of bargains will be going up for sale when 30 festive stalls are set up along Dudley Street for the city’s annual Christmas market, which runs from December 9 to 12. Shoppers will also be entertained with stiltwalkers, balloon modellers and face painters throughout the market.

And the Civic Hall will be coming alive with festive cheer when the Halle Orchestra take to the stage to perform The Best Christmas Sing-A-Long Ever on December 12.

Parades of elves, vintage fire engines and steam traction engines will snake through the streets from Pipers Row on December 17 before visitors gather outside the Civic Centre to watch a roof-top fireworks display. And choristers from the city will be gathering at the Civic Centre Piazza on December 18 for an open-air concert, featuring city organist Steve Tovey.

A children’s Christmas choir concert has also been pencilled in on December 19 along with live performances by Slade and Elvis tribute acts at the Civic Centre Piazza. Brass bands will gather in St Peter’s Square on December 20 and a Nativity scene and petting zoo will also transform Market Square.

Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett, who has helped to organise the festivities, said today: “It is going to be fantastic this Christmas. The activities we have lined up will really get everybody into the Christmas spirit.”