Christmas lights to be switched on across city

Father Christmas and the Mayor of Wolverhampton are doing the honours this year

Christmas lights are being switched on in towns across the Black Country with hundreds expected to attend.

Wolverhampton has already had its switch-on event, when more than 10,000 people attended, the council said. Wednesfield holds its event in High Street on Thursday.

Father Christmas and the Mayor of Wolverhampton were doing the honours, the council said, adding there would be entertainment from local artists and Wolverhampton’s Dicky Dodd.

Festive switch-ons take place in Bilston on Friday, Tettenhall on Saturday and at Bantock House Museum in Finchfield Road on Sunday.

All the events start at 16:30 GMT, with lights going on at 18:30 GMT.

An Elton John tribute act will be on hand to provide entertainment at Bilston as the council consults on improvements.

More than 10,000 people were at the city centre switch-on, the council said

Wolverhampton's city centre party had a funfair, real reindeer, face painting and food and drink, with entertainment from the Grinch and Cindy Lou, before X Factor and musical theatre star Niki Colwell Evans and Jake Nelson Music took to the stage.

Councillor Chris Burden said: “The Christmas lights switch ons are always a favourite with our residents, as it signals the start of the festive period for a lot of families.”

A Santa’s Grotto is being set up in the Mander Centre from 30 November to 23 December, and the Wolverhampton Christmas Market is in Dudley Street from 13 to 19 December, with crafts, novelty items, affordable stocking fillers and toys.

Not for profit Health Cash Plan provider Paycare, based in Wolverhampton, is the headline sponsor for all five Christmas light events.

The city centre event had a funfair alongside reindeer, face painting and entertainment