Christmas lights switch-on events for all the family will light up City of Wolverhampton

Christmas lights switch-on events for all the family will light up City of Wolverhampton for the countdown to Christmas.

The city centre switch-on will take place in Queen Square on Saturday, 19 November.

The fun starts at 3pm with a funfair, a festive market on Dudley Street, real reindeer, face painting, food and drink and much more. Get set for a full afternoon of entertainment that you won't want to miss with the lights switch on as the finale.

BBC star Hey Duggee will entertain the children and singer Tony Christie will serenade the crowd with hits including the famous ‘Is this the Way to Amarillo’ before joining the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, 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, Bilston and Bantock House with Father Christmas and the Mayor of Wolverhampton doing the honours, plus entertainment from local artists and Wolverhampton’s very own Dicky Dodd. 

Councillor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for City Events, said: "After a fantastic year of events in the city, the Christmas lights is a great way to end the year.

The crowds have been growing year on year in each location with families enjoying the lights being switched on to mark the start of the countdown to Christmas - they really are great free events for all the family."

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

Saturday 19 November - Wolverhampton City Centre, Queen Square - event 3pm to 7pm, lights switch-on 6pm

Thursday 24 November: Wednesfield, High Street - event 4.30pm to 7pm, lights switch-on 6.30pm

Friday 25 November: Bilston, Church Street - event 4.30pm to 7pm, lights switch-on 6.30pm 

Saturday 26 November: Tettenhall, Upper Green - event 4.30pm to 7pm, lights switch-on 6.30pm 

Sunday 27 November: Bantock House, Finchfield Road - event 4.30pm to 7pm, lights switch-on 6.30pm 

City of Wolverhampton late night Christmas shopping will return to Wolverhampton this Christmas. Visit www.enjoywolverhampton.com for more information and updates.

Enjoy Wolverhampton also have a great Christmas line up for residents and visitors. City centre pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants are taking part in Santa’s Passport that runs from Saturday 19 November until Saturday 31 December 2022. Visit six of the city centre's 30 participating venues to be in with a chance to win great prizes to brighten up your New Year. Head to www.santaspassport.co.uk to find out how to take part.

Make this Christmas magical by following the Nutcracker Trail with 14 full size Nutcracker Soldiers to find, all taking up home in Wolverhampton city centre. Head over to www.nutcrackertrail.co.uk to find out more information and register to play. The Nutcracker Trail runs from 19 November until 22 December. By taking part in the FREE trail you'll be in with a chance to win amazing prizes including a £1,000, £500 and £250 loaded Enjoy Wolverhampton Gift Card that can be spent in 100+ city centre businesses.

Santa’s Grotto will also be returning. Find the big man in his Grotto from Saturday 3 to Friday 23 December in the Lower Mall, Mander Centre, priced at £5 per child, with an age-appropriate wrapped gift included. No booking required.

There will be other fantastic opportunities across the city to find that special treat for someone. Visit Bantock House on Sunday 27 November and Saturday 3 December for a unique Christmas shopping experience with handmade gifts, crafts, food and much more, from local makers. The Friends of Bantock House will also be on hand with mulled wine and mince pies. Admission is free and the fair runs from 11am to 4pm on both days.

The festive market returns to Dudley Street from 16 to 22 December organised by LSD Promotions. Amidst famous name stores and fabulous restaurants, bars, and eateries the market offers a diverse mix of local and international products, Christmas gifts, festive treats, essential items and lots of unique artisan, handmade, novelties, inexpensive stocking fillers, toys, children's wear, street food, mulled wine, take-away craft spirits and ales, beautiful buttons and crystals, German sausages, traditional Black Country pork crackling, jewellery, olives, nuts. On Saturday, there will be additional sounds of seasonal music to add to the winter warming festive atmosphere, with all the sights, sounds and spicy fragrances of a bustling Christmas market. For more information visit https://lsdpromotions.com/wolverhampton.

Wolverhampton, Bilston and Wednesfield Markets are open extra days from Thursday 15 December. Great for helping you pick up those last-minute gifts and Christmas dinner ingredients, including the all-important roast, so why not order yours in advance from one of the many excellent butchers? To find out more about the city’s markets follow ‘themarketplacewolverhampton’ on Facebook or visit the website https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/visiting/markets  

Don’t miss Black Friday, 25 November, for some great offers in the city.