Copyright expressandstar
There are events taking place in towns and cities to mark the start of the festive season and the lead-up to Christmas day, with large crowds expected and plenty of entertainment along the way for people to enjoy. The '90s boy band East 17 are even set to headline one West Midlands town's switch-on spectacular. Wolverhampton There will be fun for all the family at a series of events across the city, with the city centre Christmas lights switch-on taking place in Queen Square on Saturday, November 22. The fun starts at 3pm with a funfair, a giant snow globe, face painting, food and drink, while a popular children’s character will be on hand throughout the day to keep everyone entertained before performances from Bilston Operatic Company and highly acclaimed international swing and jazz vocalist Andrew Bourn, who will perform festive hits old and new. They will then be joined by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Craig Collingswood, 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 Father Christmas and the Mayor of Wolverhampton doing the honours, plus entertainment from local artists and broadcaster Dicky Dodd. The full list of lights switch on events is as follows: Friday, November 21: Bilston, Church Street - event 4.30pm to 7pm, lights switch-on 6.30pm Saturday, November 22: Wolverhampton city centre, Queen Square - event 3pm to 7pm, lights switch-on 6pmThursday, November 27: Wednesfield, High Street - event 4.30pm to 7pm, lights switch-on 6.30pmFriday, November 28: Tettenhall, Upper Green - event 4.30pm to 7pm, lights switch-on 6.30pm From mid-November, high streets across Sandwell will sparkle with twinkling displays, marking the start of the holiday season. There will be a mixture of family-friendly celebrations in different parts of the borough, all of which are free to attend with no need to book. Each event will have a light-up locationa, featuring entertainment, music, stalls, and plenty of Christmas cheer. The full list of lights switch on events is as follows
