Get ready for a season of sparkle as Christmas lights switch on across the Midlands!
From Edgbaston Village festive market to the Jewellery Quarters iconic illuminated ring, and even Birmingham Cathedrals live music vibes, there’s a celebration near you. And they’re all FREE to watch (additional activities may have a charge)!
Check out stunning parades in Gloucester and Derby, meet Santa in Stourbridge and Rubery, and cosy up to seasonal treats in Dorridge and Bournville.
Take a look below for dates, locations, and more information and get ready to kickstart the Christmas season in style!
Edgbaston Village – November 11, 10am – 6pm
Browse the Artisan Market from 10am featuring over 70 local traders, offering unique gifts, handmade crafts, seasonal treats, and more – perfect for finding those one-of-a-kind gifts!
Stage acts start at 3pm with performances from Elmhurst Ballet School, Christmas carols as well as guest appearances from Santa and Mrs Claus.
The lights switch-on will be the grand finale!
Birmingham Cathedral – November 13, 5pm – 8pm
Experience a winter wonderland filled with holiday cheer, seasonal gifts, and tasty treats at Christmas in Cathedral Square. Discover handcrafted items, shop from local artisans, and enjoy a variety of festive food stalls. With live entertainment and family-friendly activities throughout, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Jewellery Quarter – November 15, 5pm – 7pm
This year, the Jewellery Quarter will sparkle with over 100 jewellery-themed Christmas lights, including a 3m x 3m illuminated diamond ring for the ultimate festive selfie.
Enjoy two towering 30-foot trees and 25 beautifully decorated windows. Join the light switch-on event on Friday, 15th November from 5-7pm, featuring live music by The Dino Baptiste Boogie Woogie Trio and Elle-J Walters. Treat yourself to vegetarian and vegan fusion from Notty Bites, plus drinks and nibbles from Lunchi, Urban, and Rose Villa Tavern.
Stratford upon Avon – November 16, 2pm to 6pm.
Enjoy live performances from school choirs and singers at the Bridge Street main stage, leading up to the lights switch-on at 5:30pm by Mayor Jason Fojtik with Father and Mrs. Christmas. Don’t miss the horse-drawn carriage appearances, photo opportunities, and a festive market featuring 130 stalls. Experience a day filled with magical moments, including stilt-walking fairies, toy soldiers, and a giant snow globe for photos!
Halesowen– November 16, from 10:30am. Lights switch on at 5pm.
Gloucester – November 16, 4pm – 5:45pm
Celebrate the season at Gloucester’s Lantern Parade & Christmas Light Switch-On! Join the carol service at Gloucester Cathedral from 4-4:30pm, then follow the festive lantern parade through the city starting at 4:45pm. The Tree of Light switch-on takes place in Kings Square at 5:15pm, with music by the Gloucestershire Youth Wind Orchestra for the finale. Father Christmas and Gloster Gladiators Scout Band will also join the parade. This free event is open to all; local businesses will stay open late to welcome visitors.
Wolverhampton – November 16, 3pm – 7pm
Head to Queen Square in Wolverhampton for the city centre’s Christmas light switch-on! Starting at 3pm, enjoy a festive afternoon with a funfair, real reindeer, face painting, and food. Watch for The Grinch and Cindy Lou as they mingle with the crowd before live performances from Niki Colwell and Jake Nelson Music. Join the Mayor, Councillor Linda Leach, and Father Christmas at 6pm for the grand finale as they light up the city.
Kidderminster– November 16, 3:30pm – 9:15pm
Leamington Spa – November 17, 5:30pm
In Leamington Spa, the festive fun starts with a Bumper Yuletide Market at 10am, fairground rides, and live performances by local artists on stage. Don’t miss the main event: the Christmas lights switch-on at 5:30pm outside the Town Hall! Arrive early at 5:15pm to catch the lineup of guests who’ll light up the town.
Rugby – November 17, 12pm – 6pm
Mark your calendar for Sunday, 17 November, for Rugby’s big Christmas light switch-on! The festive event, organized by Rugby First on behalf of Rugby Borough Council, runs from noon to 6pm, with Olympians Kimberley Woods, Chelsie Giles, and Lauren Henry flipping the switch. Enjoy live music, dance, a funfair, children’s entertainment, street food, and stalls spread throughout Rugby town center. Join the 8,000 expected visitors for a family-friendly celebration and support local businesses as you get into the holiday spirit!
Shrewsbury – November 20, 4:30pm – 7pm (switch on at 6:30pm)
Bearwood – November 22, 5:45pm
Gather by the clock and enjoy entertainment, music, stalls, and plenty of Christmas cheer.
West Bromwich – November 23, 3pm – 6pm
Bromsgrove – November 23, 6pm
Christmas Markets and live entertainment.
Tamworth Castle – November 23, 5:30pm
Celebrate the start of the yuletide season in Tamworth with an afternoon of festive fun.
Starting at noon, enjoy Bert & Gerts’ market, Barker’s Family Fun Fair, food stalls, Santa’s sleigh, and live entertainment, including Tamworth Voices Choir, the D-Day Juniors, and Rory & The Revellers. The big lights switch-on by the Mayor and Santa’s elves takes place at 5 pm at the Holloway end of Tamworth Castle Grounds. Perfect for the whole family!
Lichfield – November 24, 5pm
Dorridge – November 25, 5:30pm
Rubery – November 25, 5:30pm
Join in the holiday cheer with a festive meet and greet with Father Christmas! Enjoy seasonal songs by the Rubery Festival Committee Singers, carols led by St Chad’s Church, and cap off the celebration with the grand Christmas lights switch-on at 5 pm.
Knowle – November 27 from 4pm
Warwick – November 28, 7pm
Victorian Christmas Market and Christmas Light Switch on.
Bournville – November 30, 1:30pm – 6pm (switch on at 5pm]
Get ready for the Bournville Christmas Festival and Lights Switch-On from 1 pm to 6 pm for festive fun, with the lights dazzling at 5 pm! ✨
Head to the Hub on the Green for a special pop-up street food café featuring ElDogs, serving gourmet hotdogs, crispy wings, and juicy burgers. Come hungry, bring your holiday spirit, and enjoy a magical afternoon with family and friends!
Wombourne – November 29, From 5:40pm
Stourbridge – November 30, 9am – 5:30pm
Wordsley – November 30, 4pm – 7pm
Derby– November 30, 4pm
Head to Corporation Street, outside the Council House as Derby’s Christmas Lights get switched on. Don’t miss out on the opening of The Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink and Nordic Bar on Derby Market Place.
Before the switch on takes place, you can be one of the first to take to the Cathedral Quarter ice rink, with skating available from 11am. Enjoy a programme of free live entertainment in the Cathedral Quarter, followed by a stage show full of local and community acts and presented by Smooth Radio.
Starting at 4pm Derby Lantern Parade will start from St Peter’s Cross, which will see lantern makers from across the city will be joined by more than 350 pupils at local primary schools, Derby College and members from various community groups who will proudly parade with the sustainable lanterns that they have made.
Cradley – November 30, 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Rugely – November 30
Hampton in Arden – December 6, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Get ready for an evening filled with festive cheer as we gather to witness the magical moment when the Village of Hampton in Arden is illuminated with beautiful Christmas lights. But that’s not all! The event will be graced with the presence of Santa Claus himself, along with other special guests who will add an extra sprinkle of joy to the festivities.
Sedgley – December 1, 4pm – 7pm
Redditch – December 7,
Redditch’s Christmas lights switch-on is by JLS star Aston Merrygold. Enjoy a special meet-and-greet with Aston at the Kingfisher Centre, followed by a live performance of his festive show. Known for topping the UK charts with JLS, Aston brings holiday cheer to Redditch this season. Don’t miss the chance to see him light up the town!
Have I missed any off? Please do get in touch so I can add them on.