The start of the festive season will be marked with fun festivities and a Christmas lights switch-on event.

Princes Risborough Town Council’s annual Christmas lights switch-on event will take place on November 30.

The event will run from 3pm to 6pm on the high street, with an ice rink, Santa's grotto, and live entertainment on offer.

Children will be able to attend an elf academy, where they will be guided by a senior elf to graduate as honorary Christmas elves, mastering essential elf skills like crafts, singing, telling silly jokes, and determining who's naughty or nice.

A main stage located in front of the historic Market House will provide entertainment throughout the afternoon, with performances from primary and secondary schools, and fun-time four-piece covers band Pat & The Butchers.

Additional music from the Ellesborough Silver Band and Princes Risborough Ukulele Group will appear along the High Street throughout the afternoon.

Food and refreshments from vendors will have a varity of stalls, including gourmet burgers from Really Good Sausages, Burgers, & BBQ Bites, delicious crepes from local retailer La Crepe Escape, Afro-Caribbean food from Divine Meals and more.

Lastly, the Princes Risborough Christmas Lights will be switched on by Pantomime star Maeve Byrne, who is playing Emily Darling at Aylesbury Waterside Theatres ‘The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook’.

The Santa's Grotto has been sponsored by Lightfoots Solicitors.

Jenny Shaw, head of marketing at Lightfoots Solicitors, said: "Lightfoots Solicitors are proud to sponsor the Princes Risborough Christmas Lights Switch On 2024.

"We are excited to take part in the festivities and spread some Christmas cheer."

Hazlemere Window Company Ltd have kindly sponsored the Elf Academy Workshop for the 2024 Lights Switch On event.

Rachel Braham-Hill, managing director at Hazlemere, said: "Hazlemere are excited to be supporting this year’s Christmas Light Switch On, especially as so many of our team live in and around Princes Risborough and look forward to it every year.

"It certainly kicks off the Christmas celebrations in my own family, and we’ll be walking into town with the Elf Academy Workshop as our first stop."

Councillor Alan Frost, chair of the Events and Public Relations Committee, said: "It’s that time of year again.

"We’re excited to kick off the festive season with our Christmas Lights Switch On evening.

"Our recent survey shows that this event is one of the most appreciated by our community, and we have fantastic participants lined up to make this year extra special."