Christmas lights switch-on events are happening around Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme over the upcoming weeks.

Here is a list of some of the festive events happening in and around the city.

For more events in the area visit our What's On page here.

Stoke

Stoke Minster will be hosting a Christmas lights switch-on event on Friday 20 November from 6pm to 8pm.

A spokesperson for Stoke Minster said: "We are excited to bring the Christmas lights switch-on to Stoke town, with the help of Premier Foods.

"Craft workshop, market stalls and carols too!"

The event is set to feature the Penkhull Village Brass Band, Staffordshire Choirs Association, local artisan stalls and Christmas crafts from B.Arts.

Hanley

Smithfield

Locals have been invited to kick of the holiday season at Smithfield in Hanley with 'Gather and Glow', a free-to-attend festive event on Wednesday 2 December from 4pm.

Alongside a Christmas light switch-on, there will be live music, local food and drink vendors and local arts organization B.ARTS will be leading two themed lantern parades.

Rebecca Frankenberg, Co-artistic Director at B.ARTS, said: "We are so excited to partner with Smithfield for Gather & Glow and lead the community lantern parade.

"At B.ARTS we believe in the power of creativity to bring communities together and there is something particularly magical about lanterns - with people coming together to make a shared celebration."

Adele Simmons, Community Manger at Smithfield, said: "Gather & Glow is all about bringing people together to celebrate the festive season.

"Smithfield was created as a place for people to live, work and socialise in Stoke-on-Trent and hosting events like this allows us to connect our Clayworks residents, office workers, hotel guests and local Stokies."

Visitors are asked to register their place via the Gather & Glow Eventbrite page here.

Hanley Park

Hanley Park will also be filled with festive characters and activities for a Christmas event on Saturday 28 November from 11am to 3pm.

Visitors will have a chance to meet Santa and friends, enjoy the music of Florence Brass, complete the Christmas trail and meet Alpacas at the mini farm experience.

The organisers said: "Get ready for a fun, free magical day of festive fun as we join forces with Friends of Hanley Park to bring some Christmas magic to the park!"

Longton

The Longton Exchange is inviting locals to a Christmas light switch-on event on Saturday 5 December.

From 11am, the town centre will be filled with festive entertainment including visits from the Grinch, Cindy-Lou, K-pop Demon Hunters and other familiar characters.

Warwick's Fun Fair and the Longton Artisan & Cultural Fair will also be in the town centre throughout the day, to keep visitors entertained ahead of the Christmas tree light switch-on at 4.30pm.

Chris Ward, Centre Manager at Longton Exchange, said: " "We're bringing a little bit of Christmas magic to Longton, and we're not doing things by halves!

"From the fairground and entertainment to some very special guests, there'll be plenty going on to get everyone into the festive spirit.

"We're hoping for a town centre full of smiles, laughter and maybe a little Christmas mischief along the way."

Burslem

A Christmas tree lighting event will take place in Burslem Park on Saturday 28 November from 7pm to 9pm.

The event will feature music and carols as well as hot chocolate and festive food.

The organisers said: "Join us for the lighting of the second Christmas tree in the park."

It comes after the Burslem Community Hub ran the first ever Burslem Park Christmas event, including their first Christmas Tree, last year.

Newcastle-under-Lyme

Light up Castle will return on Sunday 22 November, bringing festive entertainment and Christmas shopping to the town centre.

The event will feature music and performances from community groups, dance schools and choirs across the Guildhall Stage and the 6 Towns Radio Stage.

There will also be a free children's elf trail and an opportunity to browse Castle Artisan Market stalls.

The organisers said: " Join us on Sunday 22nd November for a full day of free festive entertainment, family fun and Christmas shopping as we get ready to light up Newcastle-under-Lyme!"

Visit the Newcastle-under-Lyme BID Facebook page for more information about stage line-ups.

If you are running another Christmas Light Switch-On event not listed above in Stoke or North Staffordshire contact us here or add the event straight to our What's On Page here.