There will be fun for all the family at a series of events across the city kicking off with the city centre Christmas lights switch on taking place in Victoria Street on Saturday 21 November.

Get set for a full afternoon of entertainment starting at 3pm with a funfair, free face painting, food and drink and much more.

Popular children’s characters from Toy Story and Elf on the Shelf will be on hand throughout the day to keep everyone entertained before live stage performances from Big Arena Performing Arts School, The Ronnies, Masti Music, The People’s Show Choir and Callum Doignie from The Voice, who will perform festive hits old and new. They will then be joined by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Paul Singh, and Father Christmas, to switch on the lights at 6pm.

The city centre fun is not the only festive celebration in Wolverhampton, as Christmas lights will also be switched on at Wednesfield, Tettenhall and Bilston, with lots of family activities and entertainment including free face painting, live music entertainment, and children’s character appearances. Father Christmas and the Mayor of Wolverhampton will switch on the lights in each area along with entertainment from Wolverhampton’s very own Dicky Dodd.

As part of Christmas in Wolverhampton, there is also a free family festive fun day at Bantock House on Saturday 5 December between 11am and 4pm. Visitors can expect live music from the Bluebird Belles, Christmas Craft stalls and plenty more family fun.

In addition, Bilston plays host to a magical Christmas Village which opens from 26 to 29 November and 3 to 6 December. Located next to the new Outdoor Bilston market, the village will host festive stalls selling Christmas treats, handmade gifts and unique Christmas products, fairground rides, marshmallow toasting and free face painting.

Councillor Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, said: “It’s been another fantastic year of events in the city, and the Christmas lights switch on events are a great way to end what has been a busy events season.

“Thousands of families year on year attend our lights switch-ons to mark the start of the countdown to Christmas – they are great free events.

“We’re also excited to have our first Bilston Christmas Village and the return of the Bantock festive family fun day. There is plenty happening across Wolverhampton this festive period and we encourage residents to come along and get into the festive spirit.”

Christmas events are part of a wider city events programme. Bilston Christmas Village is funded by the Pride in Place Programme, which is backed by Government funding of £20 million over the next decade.

The full list of lights switch-on events is as follows:

• Saturday 21 November – Wolverhampton city centre, Bell Square, Victoria Street – event 3pm to 6.30pm, lights switch on 6pm
• Thursday 26 November: Wednesfield, High Street – event 4.30pm to 7pm, lights switch on 6.30pm
• Friday 27 November: Bilston, Church Street – event 4.30pm to 7pm, lights switch on 6.30pm
• Saturday 28 November: Tettenhall, Upper Green – event 5.30pm to 8pm, lights switch on 7.00pm

To find out more about Christmas in the City of Wolverhampton, visit Christmas in Wolverhampton.