Host of free Christmas events in and around Wolverhampton

Northycote Farm, in Bushbury, is staging four days of festive music, entertainment and stalls selling handmade crafts in its courtyard from December 19 to 22.

The Tudor farmhouse, which is steeped in history, will also be welcoming carol singers from the Wulfrun Warblers as well as local musicians and entertainers to its ‘Christmas in the Courtyard’ events. Stalls selling festive goods will be open between 10.30am and 2.30pm each day.

Other Christmas events include log dressing, wreath making, star dedication and a visit from Father Christmas. The farm’s traditional tea rooms and picnic will also be open throughout.

The farm also has many informal walks available through the woodland, offering opportunities to view or photograph a wide variety of wildlife in their natural habitats.

A spokesman for Wolverhampton City Council said: “There’s always a great festive atmosphere at Northycote over the Christmas period, so I would urge people to come along and join in the fun.

“The council has organised a whole host of free events around the city in the run-up to Christmas, so I would encourage as many families as possible to take advantage of them and come together to celebrate the festive season.

“Each year we get more and more families coming along to enjoy the lights being switched on to mark the start of the countdown to Christmas – they really are great free entertainment.”

The city centre Christmas lights will be switched on in Queen Square on Saturday at 5pm, by Grand Theatre pantomime stars Debbie McGee and Richard Cadell with Sooty, alongside the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Phil Page, and Father Christmas.

“The city centre fun is not the only festive Christmas lights celebration in Wolverhampton, as lights are also being switched on at Wednesfield, Tettenhall, Bilston and Bantock House,” added the spokesman.

Other switch-ons with entertainment will take place in Wednesfield High Street on Thursday at 5.30pm, Tettenhall Upper Green on Friday at 6.30pm, Bantock House, Finchfield Road, on Sunday at 6.30pm and Bilston Church Street on November 30 at 6.30pm.

“Late night Christmas shopping starts on November 28 and as usual we will be holding our very popular three-day Victorian Christmas Market in Dudley Street and Queen Square, on December 14, 15 and 16,” said the spokesman.

By Joe Sweeney

Local Democracy Reporter