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, November 24.
The fun starts at noon with a free screening of the singalong version of The Greatest Showman on the Signal 107 stage, Harry Jones Funfair, a festive market on Dudley Street, real reindeer, 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.
Stars from the Grand Theatre pantomime Sleeping Beauty, Debbie McGee and Richard Cadell & Sooty, will join the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Phil Page, and Father Christmas to switch on the lights at 5pm.
Unfortunately, the decision has been taken to not include a fireworks display. This is due to the huge volume of people now attending the event each year making it increasingly difficult to clear pedestrians – mainly shoppers moving between the Mander Centre and Beatties - from the fireworks fallout zone required for health and safety reasons.
Anyone looking for their fireworks fix can get it at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Friday, November 2, at the city’s annual bonfire. Gates open at 5pm and the children’s display begins at 7pm. The bonfire will be lit at 7.30pm and the main event climaxes at 8.30pm with a spectacular firework display to light up the night sky. Ticket details are available at www.wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uk.
The city centre fun is not the only festive Christmas lights celebration in Wolverhampton, as 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 Signal 107.
Councillor John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “Each year we get more and more families coming along to enjoy the lights being switched on to mark the start of the countdown to Christmas - they really are great free entertainment.”
All the below Christmas events are free:
- Thursday, November 22: Wednesfield, High Street - event 4pm – 7pm, lights switch-on 5.30pm.
- Friday, November 23: Tettenhall, Upper Green – event 5pm – 8pm, lights switch-on 6.30pm.
- Saturday, November 24 – Wolverhampton City Centre, Queen Square – event noon – 5.30pm, lights switch-on 5pm.
- Sunday, November 25: Bantock House, Finchfield Road – event 5pm – 8pm, lights switch-on 6.30pm.
- Friday, November 30: Bilston, Church Street – event 5.30pm – 7pm, lights switch-on 6.30pm
City of Wolverhampton late night Christmas shopping starts on Wednesday, November 28 and includes every Wednesday in December, with shops staying open late right up until Christmas.
