Christmas lights switch-ons in your area

It may still be November, but the spirit of Christmas is coming to the area and festive light switch-ons are taking place over the next couple of weeks. Here are the ones in your area for you to head along to and enjoy…

Birmingham

City centre – Victoria Square – November 17
The city is set to become a winter wonderland. Christmas lights across the city centre will be turned on at 5.30pm, with the launch of the German market also taking place on the same evening.

Edgbaston – Highfield Road – November 18
Edgbaston’s Christmas light switch-on will run from 4pm to 6.30pm will take place on Highfield Road, where there will also be gourmet street food as well as local popular restaurants, including Simpsons, The Highfield and The Edgbaston, offering seasonal snacks. There will be entertainment from a jazz band and a local school choir and Santa Claus himself will be switching on the lights.

Jewellery Quarter – The Golden Square – November 18
Lights will be switched on in the area from 5pm to 7pm and there will also be a giant Christmas tree and fireworks to enjoy to get you in the festive spirit.

Sutton Coldfield – Gracechurch Shopping Centre – November 19
The Voice and Big Brother presenter Emma Willis will be heading back to her hometown to switch on the lights at the Gracechurch Shopping Centre. The event, which will run from 3pm to 5.30pm, will offer children the chance to meet Disney princess Snow White. There will also be chance for families to get their faces painted as well as live music.

Sandwell

West Bromwich – High Street – November 24
2014’s X Factor entrant Ben Haenow will be switching on the Christmas lights in West Bromwich on the High Street from 6pm. There will also be entertainment from Britain’s Got Talent acts Stavros Flatley and Bollywood Fusion.

Wednesbury – Town Centre – November 25
Local acts Dayton, The Glamaphones and Red Bass Band will join Britain’s Got Talent’s Stu Arnold at the switch on. Lights will be switched on by the Deputy Mayor of Sandwell and there will also be opportunities to meet Santa and his reindeers, have fun on the rides and bouncy castle and explore the Christmas market.

Cradley Heath – High Street – November 12
Lights in Cradley Heath will be switched on at 5pm and there will also be a festive market, funfair, charity stalls and a wide range of entertainment for the evening.

Dudley

Halesowen – Town Centre – November 19
Bronze medallist Paralympian Jordanne Whiley will be switching the Christmas lights on in her hometown of Halesowen. The event will begin at 5pm.

Stourbridge – Crown Square – December 3
The Mayor of Dudley will be getting the people of Stourbridge into the festive spirit this year, with the event beginning at 5pm in Crown Square near the High Street.

Dudley – Stone Street Square – December 10
Britain’s Got Talent finalist Connie Talbot will be lighting up Stone Street Square in Dudley from 4.45pm on December 10.

Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton – Queen Square – November 23
The lights will be switched on by various Wolves footballers, CBeebies children’s character Boj and Black Country’s best comedian Doreen. The event will start at 5pm with entertainment and the switch on taking place at 6.30pm.

Worcestershire

Kidderminster – Town Hall – November 12
Live entertainment from The Institutions and local performers, as well as music and chat from BBC Hereford and Worcester will take place at the town’s Christmas light switch on. There will also be a lantern parade lead by Father Christmas himself, with the switch on taking place at 5.15pm.

Bewdley – Town centre – November 26
Bewdley are putting on their very own Victorian Christmas themed switch on this year, with entertainment from 12pm to 6.30pm. The lights will be switched on at 5.30pm, but Bewdley Museum and TIC gift shop will be open from 10am. There will also be Victorian characters and Queen Victoria herself will be in attendance.

Redditch – Town centre – November 26
X-Factor runners up Reggie ‘N’ Bollie will be in Redditch the get the town in the festive spirit outside St Stephen’s Church at 4.30pm. There will also be a Christmas parade and Santa’s grotto at the Kingfisher Shopping Centre. There will also be various other events taking place across the town and entertainment from local acts.

Worcester – City centre – November 17
Worcester will be host to Blobbie Williams, Worcester’s very own Robbie Williams tribute act, Worcester Rock Choir and a range of other live entertainment for the Christmas lights switch on. The illuminations will be switched on at 6pm by the Mayor of Worcester and Pudsey Bear. Many shops will also be staying open until 8pm.

Coventry

Coventry – Broadgate Square – November 23
Full details are yet to be confirmed for the Christmas light switch on in Coventry. However, we do know that X Factor’s Fleur East will be making an appearance before the lights are switched on at 7.30pm.

Warwickshire

Stratford-Upon-Avon – Town Hall – November 24
The lights will be switched on from 4.30pm, but there will also be live entertainment and music, carol singers, Christmas market stalls, late night shopping, a special visitor on the balcony and Santa’s grotto.

Warwick – Town centre – November 24
Warwick is another town putting on a Victorian themed Christmas evening. There will be a Victorian market and craft stalls, live music from the likes of a Michael Buble tribute act and dance troupes will be taking to the stage. The lights will be switched on at 7pm by the town crier, the mayor and Santa. Visitors are encouraged to enter themselves into the best dressed Victorian competition too.

Leamington Spa – Town centre – November 20
The town will be lit up at 5pm but stage performances and entertainment will start from 1pm. The Christmas market will open on the Parade from 11am, giving you the chance to purchase presents before the celebrations start in the afternoon. The traditional carol service will take place later in the afternoon.

Staffordshire

Stafford – Town centre – November 19
Kick start your festive celebrations with the Magic of Motown from 4pm entertaining the crowd before the Christmas light switch on. The switch on will take place at 5pm and will be followed by a firework display.

Lichfield – Town centre – November 27
The town’s Christmas light switch on will take place at 5pm but there will also be a festive market throughout the day with food, gifts and entertainment. There will also be carol singing and Santa will be making an appearance.

Tamworth – Town centre – November 30
There will be events taking place across the town, with performances from B’Glee and Tamworth Pantomime Company in St Editha’s Square. The Community Café will also be running free arts and crafts activities and there is set to be funfairs, treasure hunts and walkabout performers. The switch on will take place at 5pm.