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Christmas lights 2018: Festive switch-on events in your area

All you need to know about the Christmas lights switch-on events across Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell and Staffordshire.

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Crowds at the 2017 Christmas lights switch-on in Stafford

With the usual mixture of celebs, funfairs, food and carols, lights will be switched on across the region over the coming weeks.

Find out when and where events are taking place near you.

  • Have we missed an event? Email webdesk@expressandstar.co.uk.

Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton city centre was packed for last year's event

November 22 - High Street, Wednesfield

Wednesfield residents can get into the spirit of Christmas with the High Street light switch-on.

The event takes place from 4pm to 7pm. The lights swill be switched on at 5.30pm.

November 23 - Upper Green, Tettenhall

A light switch-on event will take place in Tettenhall hosted by Signal 107 DJ Dicky Dodd and attended by Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Phil Page.

There will also be a mini funfair for little ones to enjoy, as well as an appearance from Father Christmas.

The event will start at 5pm with the switch-on taking place at 6.30pm.

November 24 - Queen Square, city centre

The Wolverhampton city centre switch-on will take place in Queen Square later this month.

The fun starts at 12pm with a free screening of the sing-along version of The Greatest Showman on the Signal 107 stage, Harry Jones Funfair, a festive market on Dudley Street, real reindeer, and much more.

The 2017 event in Wolverhampton city centre

Get set for a full afternoon of entertainment, with the lights switch-on as the finale.

Stars from the Grand Theatre pantomime Sleeping Beauty, Debbie McGee and Richard Cadell and Sooty, will join the Mayor of Wolverhampton and Father Christmas to switch on the lights at 5pm.

There will be no fireworks this year.

November 25 - Bantock House and Park

Join the fun at Bantock House with entertainment from Signal 107, a mini funfair, Father Christmas and the Mayor of Wolverhampton.

The event will begin at 5pm with the lights switch-on set to take place at 6.30pm.

November 30 - Church Street, Bilston

Bilston's Christmas lights will be switched on by none other than The Fizzogs alongside the Mayor of Wolverhampton.

There will also be music from Signal 107 radio, a Christmas market, Santa's grotto, and a sleigh procession.

The event will start at 5.30pm with the lights switch-on set to take place at 6.30pm.

Dudley

Christmas Lights in Brierley Hill

November 17 - Somers Square, Halesowen

Enjoy live entertainment and festive fun at the Halesown lights switch-on.

There will be three free children's rides – a carousel, ferris wheel and chair-o-planes – all running from 11am.

Around 30 stalls will make up a Christmas craft market, while the event will also feature a smaller street food market.

Black Country Radio will be broadcasting live from the event and BBC WM's Caroline Martin will also be there.

Dudley Zoo will have a stand offering animal face painting for youngsters and there will also be glass blowing demonstrations.

Local performers will take to the stage in Somers Square from noon to 5pm, culminating in the Christmas lights switch by a competition winner.

The Vamps perform at the Merry Hill switch-on last year

November 17 - intu Merry Hill

Join Sam and Mark for the Christmas lights switch on at intu Merry Hill and play for free to win hundreds of prizes in the Crystmas Maze.

Shoppers will be in with the chance of winning a series of prizes, including a family holiday to New York.

Six lucky shoppers will also be in with the chance of winning £1,000 worth of diamonds, a £500 Primark voucher, an iPad, a year's supply of Nando's and a £1,000 intu gift card.

The event will take place from 10am until 6pm.

Christmas lights in Dudley last year

November 24 - Dudley

Entertainment is still being finalised for this event. It is set to take place between 2pm and 5pm.

November 30 - Brierley Hill

Entertainment is still being finalised for this event. It is set to take place between 3pm and 6pm.

Antony Cotton turned on Stourbridge's Christmas lights last year

December 1 - Crown Square, Fountain Square and more, Stourbridge

In Stourbridge, the festivities will run from 9am to 5pm including live entertainment on two stages in Crown Square and Fountain Square.

There will be children’s rides on Market Street, while youngsters will also be able to meet TV favourites Paw Patrol throughout the afternoon in the Ryemarket Shopping Centre.

The four-legged stars will also be assisting with the official countdown to the Christmas light switch-on from the main stage, from 4.45pm onwards.

Father Christmas will be in his grotto in the Ryemarket between 11am and 4pm, and there will be a Christmas craft and food market on High Street.

Sandwell

Gareth Gates turned on Wednesbury's Christmas Lights last year

November 16 - Freeth Street, Oldbury

Enjoy a series of family entertainment at Oldbury's town centre switch-on.

There will be children's rides, a Santa's grotto, stilt walkers, fire eaters, live music, a living nativity and market stalls for visitors to enjoy.

The event starts at 4pm with the lights set to be switched on at 6.30pm.

November 23 - Owen Street, Tipton

Tipton's Christmas lights switch-on returns with a series of live entertainment.

There will be performances from Tipton Community Choir, Joe John Thomas the Ukulele man, and the Dancing Grannies.

Seasonal refreshments will be served and the event will culminate with the switch on of the festive lights at 6pm.

November 30 - Union Street and Upper High Street, Wednesbury

Organised by Open Heaven Church, Wednesbury's Christmas lights switch-on returns for another year.

The event is set to be attended by Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Joy Edis, Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd, and BBC WM's Daz Hale.

There will be live music from UB40 tribute Mitchell Joseph Tompson, Jack Catell, The Trixibelles and local school choirs.

Other entertainment will include magician Aaron Moorepugh, Santa's grotto, an ice-skating rink, fair rides, rodeo reindeer, markets stalls, refreshments and more.

The event starts at 4pm with the switch-on set to take place at 6.30pm.

December 1 - Farley Fountain, West Bromwich

X Factors stars Cutkelvins will be switching on the West Bromwich Christmas lights this year.

Other acts for the evening include Katy Ashworth from CBeebies' I Can Cook, Jo and Ed from Free Radio, Royalz Academy Dance, Sandwell College Music Department and other local schools performing Christmas carols.

Also in the crowd will be Creative Academies, Nando’s and Sandwell Crime Prevention Panel along with festival characters.

The event begins at 4.30pm with the light switch-on taking place at 6pm.

December 1 - High Street, Cradley Heath

Santa will be in his grotto at the market during Cradley Heath's Christmas lights switch-on.

There will also be entertainment from The Shambolics, Bhangra smash up band and dance performances.

A funfair and Christmas market will also take place.

The event starts at 4pm with the lights set to be switched on by Deputy Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Carol Goult at 5.30pm.

Staffordshire

November 16 - Cannock town centre

There will be no fireworks this year, but the bandstand lights will be switched on bosses from Cannock Traders Association have confirmed.

Visitors will be able to peruse stalls at the market, visit Father Christmas and enjoy entertainment provided by various clowns.

The lights are set to be switched on at 7pm.

November 17 - Stafford town centre

Thousands of people are expected to ygather around the Christmas tree in the centre of Stafford when the town’s lights are officially switched on.

This year the honours of pushing the all-important button will go to representatives from the Royal Air Force’s Tactical Supply Wing based at MoD Stafford. The RAF are celebrating their 100th birthday this year.

In Princes Street the Makers Market will be returning for the second year and there will also be a Christmas-themed Craft Fair at the Ancient High House Museum in Greengate Street, with free entry to this and the museum all day.

The light switch-on is set to take place at 5pm and will be followed by a firework display.

Birmingham

November 15 - Victoria Square, city centre

Birmingham city centre's council-funded Christmas lights switch-on will coincide with the opening of the German Market.

There is no formal switch-on ceremony, but Lord Mayor of Birmingham Cllr Yvonne Mosquito will formally launch the market at 5.30pm.

November 15 - Church Street Square, City Centre

Colmore Business District's Christmas lights event returns for another year.

Glynn Purnell, Michelin Star chef at Purnell's Restaurant within the business district and also star of Saturday Kitchen, will be performing the switch-on at this free event.

There will also be a series of free refreshments available for visitors to tuck into, as well as street entertainers and music from the district choir.

The event will run from 6pm until 7pm.

November 16 - Golden Square, Jewellery Quarter

The annual Christmas lights switch-on and fireworks display for the Jewellery Quarter on the Golden Square.

Visitors will be able to enjoy street food as well as live performances on the main stage and a firework display.

The lights will be officially switched on by special guest Willard Wigan MBE, creator of the world’s smallest handmade sculptures.

The event will start at 4.30pm with the lights switch-on set to take place at 6pm.

November 23 - Highfield Road, Edgbaston

Get into the Christmas spirit with Calthorpe Estates' Christmas lights event in Edgbaston.

Visitors will be able to enjoy live music from The Miss Fortunes as well as dance performances from Elmhurst Ballet School and The Theatre Workshop.

The countdown will be hosted by Free Radio DJ John Dalziel alongside students from St George's Primary School and Santa Claus himself.

There will be refreshments on offer from local businesses as well as gourmet street food vendors.

The event starts at 4pm with the lights set to be switched on at 6pm.

November 24 - Acocks Green Village

There will be live music, stalls and entertainers on hand at Acocks Green Village Christmas lights switch-on event.

Covers band Revolver will perform at the event alongside DJ Ant Plant. There will also be appearances from village mascot Biddy Bear and Frozen favourite Olaf.

Little ones can also enjoy a free bouncy castle, soft play centre, merry-go-round, face painting and stalls. They can also visit Santa in his grotto from 3pm costing £1 per child.

The event begins from 11am with the switch-on and fireworks set to take place at 4.30pm.

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