IT will be beginning to look a lot like Christmas over the coming weekends, as towns across the borough host festive lights switch-on events.

Festive figures including Father Christmas, the Grinch and Elf will be putting in an appearance at some of the events - and a popular Black Country singer will perform at one of the first switch-ons taking place this weekend.

The festive fun events will feature entertainment from local choirs, singers and performers, funfair rides, street acts, pantomime performances and Christmas markets.

The lights will be switched on in Coseley, Halesowen and Sedgley this weekend to start the countdown to the festive season, with a Christmas event also being held in Brierley Hill.

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

On Saturday (November 18) Black Country singer Amy Lou Smith - 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.

Details are still to be finalised for Brierley Hill's event on Saturday, 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 will take place on Sunday (November 26), with Father Christmas switching on the lights at 6.30pm.

Kingswinford’s switch-on event will take place on Sunday December 3.

Councillor Andrea Goddard, the 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.”

Parking will be free on council car parks in Halesowen, Brierley Hill, Dudley, Stourbridge and Kingswinford all day on the days the lights are being switched on.