High Wycombe town centre is in for a star-studded treat this festive season - with panto stars Jake Wood and Jake Canuso to join Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth at the Christmas lights switch-on.

The Christmas Light Switch On event kicks off from 3pm on Thursday, November 18, in the town centre, with live performances on the High Street stage including Jackie Palmer’s Stage School and the BNU Swans Cheerleaders, plus a mouth-watering food truck market, festive freebies, children’s rides and entertainment, over 25 Christmas gift stalls and an appearance from Father Christmas.

The highlight of the event is set to be a panto Peter Pan parade, led by Captain Hook's 12ft wooden ship, that will depart from the Wycombe Swan at 5.30pm before sailing down the High Street.

It is set to be a real community event, with more than 100 'pirates and Tinkerbells' from Widmer End School, Marsh Infant School and Manor Farm Junior School joining in before it heads to Frogmoor.

In Frogmoor, the main stage will be getting into the Christmas spirit from 5.15pm, with performances from 10 local dance, music and drama groups, including the Glee Club Choir, Razzmatazz, The Blend Choir, Castle Street Dancers and Duck Musik.

Just in time for the ‘switch on ceremony’ at 6.45pm the celebrity ship will dock in Frogmoor, and the famous faces will head for the stage – including High Wycombe’s mayor Cllr Andrea Baughan and Chairman of Buckinghamshire Council, Cllr Zahir Mohammed.

The town will be lit up before a finale performance from Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth with his band until 7.15pm, but the fun will continue in the High Street until 8pm.

The switch on celebration is being organised by HWBIDCo, who look after the town centre and its businesses.

Chief executive Melanie Williams said: “It’s fantastic to be able to bring our traditional Christmas light switch on event back to High Wycombe this year, and we’re so pleased to have so many local businesses, performance groups and organisations involved.

"It’s a real community ‘feel good’ event and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to the town centre on November 18 to kick off the festive season in style – it’s going to be a great day.”