HIGH streets in Dudley and Brierley Hill will be looking their best for Christmas after spectacular events to switch on festive lights.

Dudley is throwing the switch to start its Christmas shopping season on Saturday November 23 with a live entertainment and music event in the marketplace and at Churchill Shopping Centre with appearances from artists including the Black Country Ukulele Band.

The event, which will be sponsored by the Dudley Town Centre Forum will also feature traditional steam engines and organs in the town centre.

Councillor Tracy Wood, Dudley cabinet member for environment and culture, said: “This looks set to be another wonderful Christmas event with lots of local acts and performers offering traditional entertainment.

“I would encourage local families to head down to Dudley and enjoy the festivities while doing some Christmas shopping.”

Brierley Hill will host entertainment all day on Saturday November 30 ahead of the lights switch-on ceremony at 4.45pm.

From 9am to 3.30pm there will be a trail of pantomime-themed props around the town made by children from Bromley and Pensnett Primary School.

Anyone completing the trail can enter a free prize draw to win tickets to Brierley Hill Musical Theatre Company’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Insight House will be hosting a free craft fair from noon to 4pm featuring stalls, music, refreshments and make and take craft activities.

The event will also include fun fair rides and a host of activities for all ages and all Brierley Hill homes and businesses with a festive display at the front of their property can also enter a competition with cash prizes from the Brierley Hill Traders Association up for grabs.

People who wish to enter can email brierleyhillxmaslights@outlook.com or pick up a entry form from Brierley Hill Library.

Father Christmas and the Mayor of Dudley, cllr Alan Finch, will be switching on the lights at both events at 4.45pm.

Despite facing spending cuts Ebenezer Scrooge would be proud of Dudley Council is suspending parking charges to on selected days to give town centre traders a boost.

The council has confirmed that it will offer free parking throughout the day on Saturday December 7, 14 and 21 in all borough car parks.

Free parking will also be introduced for the day after 4pm on Saturday 23 and 30 November to coincide with Christmas lights switch on events in Dudley and Brierley Hill.