Christmas lights events across the West Midlands

It's that time of year when people gather to celebrate the festive lights being switched on in cities and towns across the West Midlands.

At many of the events there will be funfairs and carols as well as Christmas markets with stalls laden with handmade crafts, from toys to mulled wine and gingerbread houses.

It is also the start of the busy festive period for retailers and hospitality companies, as people head to the shops for gifts and dine out.

Here are a few of the events happening in the West Midlands this year:

Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market – as well as its big wheel and ice rink – opens on 1 November.

Meanwhile, the Christmas in Cathedral Square event, which includes an outdoor market on Colmore Row, opens on 7 November.

Birmingham City Council has yet to announce details of the city's lights switch-on, but it has shared details of Christmas events taking place this year.

Wolverhampton's city centre Christmas lights switch ceremony will take place in Queen Square on Saturday 22 November.

The fun starts at 15:00 GMT with a funfair, giant snow globe and face painting, as well as food and drink stalls.

Mayor of Wolverhampton Craig Collingswood and Father Christmas will then flick the switch at 18:00.

Council cabinet member Chris Burden said: "It's been another fantastic year of events in the city, and the Christmas lights are a great way to end what has been a busy events season."

There will not be a formal switch-on ceremony in Coventry this year, but the council confirmed Christmas lights will be lit up in time for the city's Festival of Christmas event on 22 November.

It will be taking place in various locations, with processions and dancers as well as an appearance by Father Christmas.

Meanwhile, Warwick's annual Victorian Evening takes place on 27 November, which includes the switch-on of the town's Christmas lights.

It is due to start at 15:00 with a Victorian market, along with rides and entertainment around the town centre.

Performances begin on the stage at 17:00, with the lights being switched on at 19:00 by Warwick mayor Jackie D'Arcy.

Similar events are also taking place in Kenilworth, Whitnash and Leamington.

The Hereford Christmas lights switch-on show will feature music from the Fast Food Rockers as well as performances from Superficial Damage, Hereford Rock Choir, Finn McGowan and One Vision School of Arts.

The event begins at 15:15, with the lights switched on at 17:00.

There has been no announcement yet regarding the date of Worcester's Christmas lights switch-on, but there will be a Christmas Tree Festival from 4 December until 6 January at Worcester Cathedral.

The Kidderminster lights switch-on will take place on 15 November, and the Christmas lights in Great Malvern will be lit up on 22 November.

Shrewsbury's Christmas lights will be switched on from 19 November, with music and activities taking place across the town from 16.30 and the lights switched on at 18:30.

In the Staffordshire Moorlands, Leek's Christmas light switch-on event takes place on 21 November, with Cheadle's the following day and Biddulph's on 29 November.

In Lichfield, the city's cathedral Christmas light show, entitled The Robin's Reward this year, runs from 15 until 21 December.

Meanwhile in Tamworth, festivities will take place on 29 November from midday until 18:00 in Tamworth Castle Grounds and Holloway.

It will include a Christmas market and live performances and entertainment, with a switch-on ceremony at 17:00 in the castle car park.

A number of events have been confirmed for south Cheshire.

Nantwich's Christmas light switch-on takes place on 21 November, with Sandbach's event on 22 November and Alsager's on 23 November.

Congleton's Christmas light event is on 28 November, and Crewe's Christmas lights will be lit up on 29 November.

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