Obviously Aliens and Santa get ready for big Christmas lights switch-on in Princes Risborough
Mark the start of the festive season and join Princes Risborough Town Council on Saturday 28th November for Princes Risborough’s annual Christmas Lights Switch On event!
Princes Risborough High Street is set to sparkle with festive cheer on Saturday 28th November as the town welcomes back its much-loved annual Christmas Lights Switch-On celebration. Organised by Princes Risborough Town Council, the three-hour event will run from 3pm to 6pm, bringing together residents and visitors for an afternoon of Christmas magic. Festive favourites will include the return of the Ice Rink and Santa’s Grotto, alongside a fantastic programme of live entertainment, promising plenty of seasonal fun for all ages.
The historic Market House will provide the backdrop for an afternoon of festive entertainment, with a stage hosting a fantastic line-up of performances throughout the event. Audiences can look forward to seeing talented pupils from local primary and secondary schools, performing arts students, and professional Buckinghamshire-based function band ‘Obviously Aliens’, bringing plenty of energy to the celebrations.
The much-loved Ellesborough Silver Band will also be returning to this year’s Christmas celebrations, filling the High Street with traditional festive sounds throughout the afternoon. Their performance has been generously sponsored by Carousel Buses, who are proud to support local community events that bring people together and help make it easy for families and visitors to travel safely throughout the festive season.
Santa Claus is making a very special stop in Princes Risborough this Christmas! Families will have the chance to visit Santa’s Grotto between 3pm and 5:30pm, where little ones can meet Santa in person and receive a special festive gift. Children are also invited to bring along their Christmas wish lists and letters, with a dedicated postbox outside the Grotto. This magical festive experience has been kindly sponsored by Lewis Turf & Fencing, an established and trusted local supplier of quality fencing and turf, serving Princes Risborough and the surrounding areas.
The iconic ice rink returns open from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Skating sessions can be booked on the day at the Town Council Gazebo, conveniently located beside the rink. This beloved festive attraction, enjoyed by families and visitors of all ages, has been kindly sponsored by a range of local businesses, including Ben E Morgan Building, Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Chiltern Hill Water Softeners, Dukes Wine Bar, Hazlemere Windows Company, Hypnos Beds, Princes Risborough Nursery, The Mortgage Store, Saunders Brothers, and The Cat Butler.
Add a touch of festive sparkle to your day with face painting from the wonderful Sunday’s Faces! Located outside Coral from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, they’ll be ready to transform little faces with a range of fun and festive designs, bringing even more magic to the celebrations. This activity has been kindly sponsored by leading outdoor gym, playground equipment & safety surfacing supplier, Caloo.
Food and refreshments from local vendors will have a vast array to keep you well-fed, including gourmet burgers from Really Good Sausages, Burgers, & BBQ Bites, delicious crepes from local retailer La Crepe Escape, and Afro-Caribbean food from Divine Meals.
The festive afternoon is the perfect opportunity for High Street retailers and hospitality, local businesses, organisations, and charities to build their own profiles and raise much-needed funds for their own projects.
In the final hour of the event, Pantomime star David Ribi, who stars as Prince Vincent in Aylesbury Waterside Theatre’s production of Sleeping Beauty, will switch on the Princes Risborough Christmas lights.
The main sponsor of the 2026 Risborough Christmas Lights Switch On is modern law firm, BWK Solicitors. Life is a journey, and BWK Solicitors can be your lawyers for life. Eleanor King, Director and Head of Property at BWK Solicitors said: “BWK Solicitors is delighted to be the headline sponsor of the Princes Risborough Christmas Lights Switch On 2026! Having recently moved offices, we’re now conveniently located next to the Post Office, and we’re excited to continue supporting the local community and the wonderful events that bring everyone together. To add a little extra sparkle to the festivities, we’ll also be giving away a luxury Fortnum & Mason Christmas Hamper! Further details on how to enter will be announced soon on our Instagram and Facebook pages. We look forward to celebrating the start of the festive season with the Princes Risborough community. We hope to see you there!”