As the festive season is right around the corner, so are many festive events, including local Christmas lights switch ons. Here are those that are taking place in the region this year.

Thursday 20 November 

Stone - from 5pm, lights switch on 7pm

Friday 21 November

Leek - from 5pm, lights switch on 6.30pm

There will be plenty of activities for all ages to enjoy spread across the town centre; including paying a visit to Santa in his grotto and having a browse of the Twilight Market inside the Butter & Trestle Market; where you will find live music, entertainment, food & drink and market stalls.

There will also be children's fairground rides, Moorlands Radio, live band performances and dancing. 

Saturday 22 November 

Cheadle - from 2pm, lights switch on 5pm

Stafford - lights switch on 5pm

The day will include live music and street entertainment before the lights are turned on. It will be followed by a firework display then more live music to keep the crowd singing and dancing in the town’s Market Square.

Stars of this year’s Stafford Gatehouse panto, Sleeping Beauty, will join the Mayor of Stafford Borough, Councillor Jenny Barron, and Father Christmas on stage.

Stoke-on-Trent - from 11am

Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID and The Potteries Centre have partnered to bring back the annual festive Santa’s arrival parade extravaganza to the city centre.

The event will boast a festive parade, live music, entertainment and a variety of festive characters including Santa Claus himself.

Visitors can look forward to face painting, stilt walkers, storytelling sessions, streets lined with Potteries Artisan Market Christmas stalls, and the opening of Santa’s Ice Palace grotto experience at The Potteries Centre

Sunday 23 November

Burton - from 2pm, lights switch on 5pm

Festivities include live stage entertainment, seasonal food and drink stalls, family funfair rides and attractions. After the grand swtich on, there will be a fireworks display.

Saturday 29 November 

Biddulph - from 4.30pm, lights switch on 6pm

The event will include a free Santa’s Grotto, funfair rides, festive market stalls, live performances and lots of free family activities.

Cannock - from 12pm

Entertainment and live music throughout the afternoon, with food stalls and local traders, and children's activities. Before a candlelight procession of local children to light the way towards the big Christmas Lights Switch On.

Tamworth - from 12pm, lights switch on 5pm

The Castle Grounds and town centre will be transformed into a festive hub, featuring a Christmas market, family attractions, live performances, walkabout entertainment, and the main Christmas lights switch-on event, which will take place at 5pm on Castle Car Park. The switch-on will be accompanied by live music, a festive countdown, snow machines and a pyrotechnic display.