It will begin to look a lot like Christmas over the next few weekends, with thousands set to turn out for big light switch-on events in borough towns.

The lights will be switched on in Coseley, Halesowen and Brierley Hill this weekend to officially kick off the start of the festive season.

Dudley and Stourbridge will sparkle after switch-on events on Saturday November 25, with Sedgley on Sunday November 26 and Kingswinford’s event on Sunday December 3.

Most of the events will feature live on-stage entertainment from local choirs, singers and performers, along with funfair rides, street acts, pantomime performances and Christmas markets.

The lights will be switched on in Coseley at Roseville at 6pm on Friday (Nov 17) by the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Andrea Goddard. The event will run from 3pm to 6.30pm.

On Saturday (Nov 18) Black Country singer Amy Lou - a finalist on Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year - will switch on the lights at 5pm in Halesowen town centre with entertainment from 9am to 6pm.

In Brierley Hill on Saturday the details are still to be finalised, but the entertainment will include funfair rides, street acts and pantomime performances. Elf will switch on the Christmas lights in Stourbridge at 5pm on Saturday November 25, with the Deputy Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Peter Lee, also in attendance.

On the same day in Dudley town centre, the Mayor will switch the lights on at 5pm alongside Mr Grinch. The Sedgley switch-on takes place on November 26, with Father Christmas switching on the lights at 6.30pm.

Parking is free on council-owned car parks in Halesowen, Brierley Hill, Dudley, Stourbridge and Kingswinford all day on the days the lights are being switched on. Councillor Andrea Goddard, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“The Christmas light switch-on events signify the start of the festive season for many people, and myself and my deputy will be attending as many of them as we can.

“These events help to support our town centre traders so I hope people will come along, enjoy the entertainment on offer and show their support for local businesses.”