Christmas light switch-on to start city festivities

City of Wolverhampton Council has unveiled its events for the festive season

The start of festive celebrations will be marked with a series of Christmas light switch-ons on Wolverhampton.

The city centre switch-on Saturday in Queen Square will feature a funfair, giant snow globe and face painting starting at 15:00 GMT.

The Mayor of Wolverhampton, councillor Craig Collingswood and some of the stars of this years Grand Theatre pantomime will switch on the lights with Santa at 18:00.

City councillor Chris Burden said: "The Christmas Light Switch Ons are always a favourite with our residents, as it signals the start of the festive period for a lot of families."

There will be performances throughout the afternoon from Bilston Operatic Society and jazz vocalist Andrew Bourn.

Mr Burden, Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs, and Skills said: "There is so much on offer in our city this year as part of the Visit Wolverhampton this Christmas campaign."

He added: "These free events are the perfect way to get into the festive spirit, so I encourage everyone to come a long and have a look at what's on offer."

Christmas lights will also be turned on in Wednesfield High Street on Thursday 27 November. The event runs from 16:30 until 19:00 with the lights switch-on at 18:30.

On Friday 28 November Tettenhall's event at Upper Green will run between 16:30 and 19:00 with the light switch-on at 18:30.

A free 3D projection show, which first arrived in Wolverhampton in 2023, will also return this November, transforming St Peter's Church with a Lights in the Night show.

The spectacle will project onto the church, celebrating the rich history, heritage, and diversity of the city.

The light projection show takes place on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 November between 18:00 and 21:00.

The Lights in the Night show returns to Wolverhampton city centre as part of a new creative festival for the city

Christmas markets

As part of Christmas in Wolverhampton, artisan food and gifts, mulled wine, toasted marshmallow, free face painting and a Ferris wheel will also be on offer at a new Christmas market arriving in the city.

The artisan market takes place on 22-23 and 28-30 November on Victoria Street between 10:00 and 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays and 10:00 to 16:00 on Sundays.

Meanwhile, the Wolverhampton Christmas Market will return to Dudley Street from 12-18 December between 10:00 and 17:00 every day.

The Christmas at Bantock Market will also take place on Saturday 6 December between 11:00 and 15:00.

For those looking to meet Santa and share their Christmas lists, the Enjoy Wolverhampton BID team is hosting Santa's Ice Palace in the Mander Shopping Centre from 15-23 December, for £5 a child.

Santa's Ice Palace will open daily from 10:00-17:00, with late night openings until 18:30 on 20, 22 and 23 December.

Santa is also making a stop in Bilston and will be in his grotto every Saturday from 22 November, then every day from 20 December.

Entry to see Santa is £5 per child and the grotto will be located at Bilston Indoor Market.

The Christmas events are part of a wider city events programme which is funded by the council, commercial sponsorship and with £71,350 support of the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.