intu Merry Hill's annual Christmas lights switch on will kick off six weeks of festive fun.

The shopping mall is hosting a jampacked calendar of Yuletide celebrations, starting this weekend (November 17 and 18) with the installation of a giant snow globe.

TV celebrities Sam and Mark will also be hosting the annual Christmas Light Switch on event on Saturday from 4.30pm to 6pm.

During the event six lucky shoppers will enter a Crystal Maze-style snow globe for a chance to win the most sought-after Christmas presents, including a family holiday to New York from Virgin Holidays, diamonds from TH Baker, a year’s supply of Nando’s and a £1,000 intu gift card.

This year’s switch-on marks the start of the shopping destination’s seasonal events calendar which will see shoppers surprised by a roaming Santa Claus and a festive parade featuring children’s favourite characters.

The snow globe will also be open to all shoppers between 10am to 3.30pm on Saturday and 11am to 3.30pm on Sunday. Participants can play for the chance to win one of more than 300 prizes from centre retailers including Regatta, Cath Kidston, Tessutti and River Island.

Robert Pickersgill, marketing manager at intu Merry Hill, said: “Christmas is a time for bringing people together, and taking part in a quirky event where you could potentially win big is the perfect way to ring in the happiest time of year.

“We’re going beyond the traditional Christmas lights switch-on and we’re looking forward to welcoming local residents and those based further afield to help us celebrate Christmas the only way we know how: putting smiles on people’s faces.”

For more information about the centre’s upcoming events visit www.intu.co.uk/merryhill