15 festive events across the West Midlands to help you get into the Christmas spirit
As the colder nights start to draw in, the countdown has begun to the start of the festive season, with lots of different events taking place.
With daylight saving time set to end at the end of October, the feeling in the air is set to become more and more Christmassy for many.
As the work begins to organise shopping, decide who is cooking and hosting Christmas dinner and people are getting their lists ready for Santa, towns and cities across the region will be putting on events to help people celebrate the season.
We've taken a look and picked out some of the biggest, most colourful and, in some cases, unique ways to celebrate the festive season with friends and family from across the region.
Is there an event we've missed? Please let us know in the comments.
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market
Saturday, November 1 to Wednesday, December 24 from Victoria Square along New Street to the Bullring
The annual traditional Christmas market is set to bring thousands of visitors to Birmingham's city centre to see the gifts on offer and to eat and drink and be merry.
The annual event will see the streets filled with wooden stalls selling beer, gluhwein, bratwurst hotdogs and traditional gifts and will remain open for more than seven weeks before closing on Christmas Eve.
It will be open each day, from 11am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, from 11am to 9.30pm on Fridays, from 10am to 9.30pm on Saturdays and from 10am to 9pm on Sundays.
Santa Sleigh and Christmas Festivities
Sunday, December 7 at the Kingswood Trust, Holyhead Road, Wolverhampton
The trust will be opening up the vast estate on the outskirts of Wolverhampton to put on a magical festive event for all the family.
Running from 10am to 12pm, visitors will be able to follow the Christmas Trail and discover Santa's sleigh, while also getting the chance to visit Santa in his grotto.
There will be other festive activities for all ages, with visitors also reminded to booked car entry before purchasing Santa presents or grotto visits.
Mental Elf 2025 Kidderminster
Sunday, November 30 at Bodenham Arboretum, Kidderminster
The Mental Elf is a festive 5K fun run around the beautiful setting of Bodenham Arboretum in Kidderminster and is a course which will have some hilly terrain and muddy tracks.
It is also a chance for the community to come together and shine a light on the importance of mental health and wellbeing, especially during the holiday season.
Anyone purchasing a ticket will get a place in the Mental Elf 5k 2025 and a victory medal, a free warm-up session with a trainer, free entertainment and a place in the best dressed competition.
Festive Race Nights
Various dates at Wolverhampton Racecourse, Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton
The city's horse racing centre will also be a party place throughout the festive season, with events designed to combine the thrill of racing with a party experience.
From racing events held under the lights to events inside the paddock and the nearby Holiday Inn, the racecourse will be the place for anyone looking for a unique type of Christmas night out.
Every Friday night in December will be a Christmas party night, while Saturdays will combine a full race card with a Sounds through the Decades DJ set, while there will also be the Boxing Day race event for those wishing to get some fresh air.
Christmas with Compton Care
Various dates in December at the Grand Palace, Wolverhampton.
The palliative care charity is bringing some festive cheer across December 12 and 13 for two big nights filled with music, dancing and a three-course meal.
Word of Mouth on December 12 could be a big night, featuring house, classic R&B, and old-school garage music from 7pm to 1am.
Dance the Decades Disco sees a set from Niel Jackson, broadcaster & radio DJ, and his warm-up DJ to this Christmas party, which will feature music from the 80s, 90s, and 00s from 7pm to 1am.
Wolverhampton Christmas Shopping Markets
From Friday, December 12 to Thursday, December 18 on Dudley Street, Wolverhampton
The Wolverhampton Christmas Shopping Market will be a week-long celebration of all things festive, hosted at the heart of Dudley Street.
Organisers have said this year's Wolverhampton Christmas Shopping Market is set to be the most captivating one yet, featuring a delightful array of artisan stalls.
Visitors will be treated to a selection of unique gifts, dazzling decorations, and an assortment of delicious treats.
Santa's Grotto
From Friday, November 29 to Wednesday, December 24 at Dudley Zoo and Castle
Come along and experience the magic of Christmas at Dudley Zoo and Castle. by visiting Santa in his Grotto set within the walls of the 11th century castle.
A ticket to Santa’s Grotto ticket includes Dudley Zoo and Castle admission, allowing visitors to see all their favourite animals, as well as receive a special gift from Santa and see Santa’s reindeer in their new home
There will be other festive fun on site as well, with the Queen Mary Restaurant serving up some festive treats.
Step into Christmas
Thursday, December 4 at Dudley Town Hall
The stage is being set to help people get ready to Step Into Christmas once again for what is being described as the most magical, feel-good show of the year.
The spectacular Christmas concert is a big way to kickstart festive celebrations, with a night guaranteed to fill people's hearts with holiday cheer and have them singing along from start to finish.
It will be packed with all the classic Christmas songs, alongside festive visuals and a live band, and will be a big way to get Christmas celebrations underway.
Christmas at Black Country Living Museum
Various dates across December at the Black Country Living Museum, Discovery Way, Dudley
The heritage museum is inviting people to step back in time and experience the festive seasons of yesteryear, with crackling fires, and heart-warming traditions.
From traditional treats and vintage decorations to the sound of period music echoing through the warm and inviting streets, every corner of the historic village is brimming with festive cheer.
Events will range from the Glad Tidings event, full of festive cheer, to Santa Hunts, where people look at clues to work out where the grotto is.
Dudley Christmas Market & Fun Day
Sunday, December 14 in Dudley Town Centre
The free event is a Dudley town centre partnership event which will provide visitors with a full festive market and fun day.
Events on the day will include live music and entertainment across two stages, seasonal food and drinks, street theatre performers, funfair rides. giftware, toys and crafts.
The town centre will be awash with Christmas lights and colour and visitors can enjoy a fun and festive day out.
Himley's Magical Christmas Portal
Between Tuesday, December 16 and Friday, December 19 at Himley Hall and Park
Set in the courtyard at Himley Hall, visitors are invited to join in an enchanting Christmas experience at Himley's Magical Christmas Portal.
On arrival, visitors will be asked to take their seats in the festive lit marquees, enjoy alfresco hot chocolate and immerse themselves in the show, as children get to interact with Father Christmas live from the North Pole via a large screen.
There will also be a Christmas food market, festive entertainment and a vintage fairground.
Stone Farmers' Market and Stafford Farmers' Market
Saturday, December 6 on Stone High Street and Saturday, December 13 on Market Square, Stafford
The streets of Stone and Stafford will be filled with market stalls and festive cheer as visitors are invited to look for that perfect festive gift.
The Stone market will be an artisan market offering a variety of high quality, hand made food and crafts as well as street food.
In Stafford, it will be a Christmas themed Artisan Market offering the same type of event, as well as including some guest traders from local charities along with festive entertainment.
Visit Father Christmas and craft fayre weekend
Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 at Bewdley Museum, Load Street, Bewdley
The museum will be offering people the chance to visit Father Christmas in his grotto, which includes a chat to Santa, photo opportunity and a gift for each paying child.
There will also be a Christmas craft fayre from 10am to 4pm selling a wide variety of gifts and crafts.
Christmas music will be on in the background throughout the day and the Garden Kitchen café will be open all day serving festive favourites.
Festive Market & Christmas Lights Switch-On
Saturday, November 29 in Walsall Town Centre
The public are being invited to come to Walsall town centre for a full day of festive fun.
Alongside the Christmas Lights Switch-On, the event will have an illuminate projection show, a festive Marker's Market, live dance and performances and family-friendly creative workshops.
The event is being hosted by Walsall Council in partnership with Walsall MakerFest Fringe, Urban Hax, and The New Art Gallery Walsall.
