Fun events for cash-strapped families at Christmas

The fun includes light shows, markets and make and bake sessions

While it may be the most wonderful time of the year, according to festive lyrics, families are still in the grip of the cost-of-living crisis.

With the holiday season approaching, many cash-strapped parents are looking for budget-conscious ways to keep youngsters busy and spend time together.

They are in luck. Free and low-cost events organised by councils and other organisations have everything from Christmas light displays and markets, to face painting and festive arts and crafts.

Here is a list of just some of the activities families can enjoy across the West Midlands - without having to break the bank.

Wolverhampton

Free face painting has been laid on at the Christmas market on Victoria Street, Wolverhampton, which continues on Saturday and Sunday. On Sundays, the Ferris Wheel is free.

A light spectacle has returned to St Peter's Church and can be seen on Saturday night. Lights in the Night projects scenes of the city on to the church in a 3D light animation.

There is free entry to a day of family festive fun at Bantock House Museum on Saturday 6 December, and people can get into the Christmas spirit with live music, story time for all ages, and a visit from a "jolly special guest".

Families can also take a stroll around Wolverhampton's Christmas market on Dudley Street from 12 to 18 December.

And Santa's Ice Palace runs from 15 to 23 December at the Mander Centre where part of the mall will be transformed into a glittering winter wonderland.

Some attractions include free ice skating

Coventry and Warwickshire

Cubbington is holding an afternoon of festive fun on Saturday, including a fair and a free ice rink, as the Christmas tree is lit. The ice rink is currently sold out but the website says people can turn up and attendants will see whether they can join in.

It is Kenilworth's turn on Sunday when the second Christmas Lights switch-on event will include market stalls, funfair rides and entertainment.

The success of the summer market on Smith Street, Warwick, has led to the first ever Smith Street Christmas Market on Saturday 6 December. The event includes an Elf Hunt - a free trail with prizes.

Leamington Spa's lantern parade takes place on Sunday 7 December at the Bandstand in the Royal Pump Room Gardens, with singer David Harrop and stilt walkers.

Stoke and Staffordshire

There is free entry to Middleport Pottery Artisan Christmas Markets on Saturday and Sunday, with visitors promised a "proper festive day out". Organisers said local makers would be bringing plenty of Christmas magic to the heritage venue.

Also in Stoke-on-Trent, a Make & Bake session is being held at Mitchell Arts Centre on Monday 22 December, when youngsters can make snowman bookmarks and marshmallow sticks.

A Christmas lantern parade takes place in Eccleshall, near Stafford, on Sunday, with a torch-lit procession. Families are making the lanterns on Saturday, with all materials provided and no booking required at Holy Trinity Church.

People are being invited to step back in time at Lichfield's Victorian Christmas Market from Thursday 4 December to Sunday 7 December, with costumed characters, carol singers and street performers bringing a bygone era to life.

People in Lichfield can "step back in time"

Hereford and Worcester

There's a free elf trail at the Old House in Hereford from Monday 1 December to Sunday 4 January, when children can follow clues to find toys. Youngsters can also take part in festive crafts and see Santa, who will be visiting on Saturday 13 December and Sunday 14 December.

The Mistletoe Festival is being held in Tenbury Wells on Saturday 6 December, with markets, entertainment, a Santa parade and the crowning of the Mistletoe Queen. Organisers said it was a "fantastic free family day out".

There is free entry to the Tudor House Museum in Upton upon Severn on Saturday 6 December when festive fun includes face painting, hair braiding, a raffle and mince pies.

It costs £1 to take part in the Great Christmas Puzzle Hunt at Worcester Art Gallery and Museum. Families solve a puzzle to reveal a Christmas message and receive a prize from Saturday 13 December to Sunday 4 January.

There is also a lights switch-on party in Alvechurch, with music and a town crier on Saturday.

Shropshire

Telford Day - the anniversary of when Telford was established in 1968 - is kicking off Christmas events in the town on Saturday. Activities throughout the day will be free and include live music.

Ludlow Winter Festival continues on Saturday and Sunday, with festive cheer, music, food and free family fun. It includes a chance to visit Father Christmas, receive a free present, sit in his sleigh and step inside a giant snow globe.

Shrewsbury's annual Carols in the Square concert is for all the family on Wednesday 13 December and includes a brass band, with the concert also relayed via large screens and streamed online.

The Royal Air Force Shawbury Christmas Carol Concert takes place in Shrewsbury on Tuesday 2 December and tickets are free, but book ahead online.

Shrewsbury's Christmas markets are on Friday 19 December and Saturday 20 December - and the town also has two Made in Shropshire fairs on Saturday 6 and Saturday 13 December.

Santa will be making an appearance at many of the events

Birmingham and the Black Country

In Birmingham, the city's Frankfurt Christmas Market is back and is open until Christmas Eve (24 December) - it was named the best Christmas market in the UK last year, the city council said.

Nine reindeer sculptures have been placed around the city centre, with a trail to follow until Tuesday 6 January.

Families can make their own decorations inspired by nature and the festive season at Thrive Pavilion in Kings Heath Park on Saturday 13 December.

Bournville Christmas Market is on Saturday with a Christmas tree trail, a handmade craft fair and the annual lights switch-on.

And in Cheswick Green, across the city border and into Solihull, Santa will appear during a family disco on Sunday 7 December.

In the Black Country, Dudley's lights are switched on during festivities set for Saturday 6 December, when there will be a market, live music, entertainment, and also free pantomime performances at Provision House - book ahead online to see the shows.

In Netherton, Dudley, a brass band and carol singers will feature during Saturday's lighting event.

Oldbury's Christmas Lights switch-on takes place on Friday 5 December - the last event after several others across Sandwell. The councils said the celebrations were always "a joyous occasion in our towns".

Santa is hard at work and visiting Santa's Village at Sandwell Valley Country Park in West Bromwich on Saturday 6, Sunday 7 and Saturday 13 December. Entry to the village is free.

He is also making an appearance in a ride through Warley Woods in Smethwick on Sunday 7 December.

He must be a busy man because he is also at the Saddlers Shopping Centre in Walsall on Saturday, when the Christmas lights are switched on. Mayor of Walsall Louise Harrison said visiting him was completely free.