A HOST of festive activities have been organised by Brierley Hill residents to follow this weekend’s Christmas lights switch-on.

From noon until 5pm on Saturday (November 28), there will be funfair rides, entertainment and Father Christmas with activities taking place at Moor Shopping Centre, Asda, the Indoor Market and Polly’s Tea Room.

The council-organised event will then see the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Steve Waltho, switch on the lights at 5pm.

Brierley Hill church and community leaders, along with Dudley Council for Voluntary Service, have also organised a series of seasonal activities for families to enjoy.

The events include a 6km Santa jog on Saturday, December 5, with a shorter run around the Dell Stadium for children.

On the same day, the town will be filled with knitted angels with a tag attached inviting whoever finds them to take a photograph to upload to a Facebook page.

There will also be a Christmas craft fair from 1pm until 4pm featuring Santa’s grotto and a ‘knitivity’ treasure hunt along with a choir and evening entertainment.

Tim Sunter, chairman of the Brierley Hill Civic Society, said: “So much effort and thought has gone into making the festival more successful than ever this year.

“We hope to see as many people as possible at the events.”

Christmas carols events will take place on Sunday, December 6, Monday, December 7, and Wednesday, December 9, while St. Michael’s Church’s Christmas tree festival, which began on November 21, will continue into the New Year.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “The council and the Brierley Hill community have put in a lot of commitment and effort to provide a variety of traditional family festive fun for everyone to enjoy.”

For more information about the Christmas events and activities throughout Brierley Hill visit www.xmasinbrierleyhill.wordpress.com