Christmas Lights Switch On 2025

The 2025 Christmas Lights Switch On is proudly sponsored by

Sponsored by Lightfoots Solicitors

Join us for our annual Christmas Lights extravaganza on Friday, 28th November, as we light up the town for Christmas!

Thanks to Lightfoots Solicitors, we have a stage with musical performances, activities to join in with and the lighting ceremony!

Our 29ft Nordmann Fir Christmas Tree kindly donated again by ASM will be lit up at 6:30pm and the Town Centre will be full of festive fun, tasty treats and a treasure trove of goodies!

Treat your taste buds to a global feast with cuisines from around the world thanks to StrEat Meet. Sip on some warm mulled wine courtesy of the Rotary Club of Thame.

Join in the festive fun with live Christmas music to sing and dance along to. Enjoy captivating performances, and let the kids zoom around with glee on a free go-kart ride, thanks to Thame Cars!

Let us know your thoughts!

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Who is switching on the lights?

Students from Thame’s three local primary schools will be recognised on stage for their outstanding achievements and community spirits this year.

Join us in celebrating and supporting them as they turn on the lights of the Christmas Tree on November 28th!

  • Barley Hill Primary School: Harry
    Harry is truly an inspiration to us all. He has faced more challenges than most of us could ever imagine, yet he continues to shine with a smile that lights up every room. His strength, determination, and positivity remind us what true courage looks like, and his kindness touches everyone around him.
    Harry perfectly represents the spirit of Barley Hill Primary School and the spirit of Christmas itself: kindness, hope, and never giving up, no matter what. We are all so proud of him, and we know the whole town will join us in cheering him on as he helps light up Thame for Christmas!

 

  • John Hampden Primary School: Melanie
    Melanie is the quiet heartbeat of our school community. She always follows the Hampden Way, working diligently and thoughtfully everyday. Whether it’s helping at every PTFA event or supporting others with a kind word, she’s a true friend. Melanie never seeks praise — she simply gets on with whatever needs doing, making a difference through her quiet strength and unwavering commitment.

 

  • St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School: Sophie and Florence
    This year Florence and Sophie have demonstrated great kindness by donating their hair to The Little Princess Trust, and raising £375 for the charity who make wigs for children who have lost their hair due to illness. St Joseph’s school are very proud of them.
 

There are so many wonderful things to do:

  • Meet Santa in his new sleigh
  • Take a selfie at our Selfie Station outside the Town Hall, sponsored by RCP Service Centre
  • Sing a long or dance like nobody is watching to the festive tunes played by Thame Concert Band and Je T’hame.
  • Grab a tasty treat from one of the food and drink stalls from StrEat Meet, and some local small businesses.
  • Stock up on stocking fillers, Christmas Party gifts, Secret Santa presents and gifts for those you love at our range of stalls.
  • Support local community groups and charities by visiting their stalls, playing their games or chatting about donating or volunteering.
  • Grab a free ride on the Go Karts, sponsored by Thame Cars
  • Write a letter to Santa and pop it in the post box in Specsavers where they will send it off to the North Pole

Feed your soul…

FOOD

We have something for everyone with foods from all over the world. Some of our friends from StrEat Meet will be there:

Bokkie

Serving South African Street Food, Bokkie’s vibrant food is served out of an eye catching converted horse box, which serves as a mobile kitchen, bringing delicious flavours to the streets.

Gyro World

Offering a mix of Greek Gyro and sides to tantalise your taste buds. A variety of meats, vegetarian options, sauces and chips to choose from.

The Jerk Box 

Caribbean cuisine with special jerk seasoning that makes your mouth water. Tasty Jerk chicken, coconut rice, plantain and more. 

OMG Streetfood

Dedicated to bringing the traditional American classics to your table with a British twist. Quality local suppliers make their burgers and sides more delicious alongside their passion for good food.

Oh So Dough

Offering a variety of doughnuts to please your sweet tooth. If you enjoy hand crafted fresh dessert, this is the stall for you.

AKR Pizza

You may know them as the Wheatsheaf Kitchen, AKR Pizza, began serving takeaway pizzas out of the Wheatsheaf Pub, Chinnor, in March 2020 when the world was locked down. They are joining us this Christmas in their converted horse trailer to deliver delicious freshly made pizzas to you.

Patisserie Sheree

Founded in early 2021 and specialises in brownies & blondies. This is the perfect place to pick up a sweet treat and watch the Christmas lights.

Crayfish Capers

Local Produce Market family-run stall, Crayfish Capers, will be selling food to warm you up. With a menu of affordable and freshly cooked:
Bacon Bap
Sausage Bap
Sausage & Bacon Bap
Smoked Bacon
Lincolnshire Sausages

Montesson Crêpes

The Thame & District Twinning Association will have a crêpe stall by the side of the Town Hall, so grab a yummy crepe and enjoy the festivities.

 

 

DRINK

With a few options for drinks you won’t go thirsty.

The Rotary Club of Thame

Find them set-up on the bus stop side of the Town Hall with warm mulled wine stations to get you into the festive spirit.

MYCASO

For soft drinks, beer, wine, and other festive drinks, including wintery mulled cider, head to the MYCASO Bar near the food stalls.

Emily’s Coffee

Don’t worry coffee lovers, Emily’s Coffee will be here to quench your taste for caffeine, while also providing teas, soft drinks and other hot drinks. The coffee trailer will also try out new festive menu items, such as S’mores Hot Chocolates, Bailey’s Hot Chocolates and Espresso Martinis.

Help a cause…

CHARITY AND COMMUNITY

Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust

Giving advice on wildlife gardening, sharing information about volunteering and membership with the Wildlife Trust. They will also be able to answer any questions about their Children’s Wildlife Watch Club.

Cornerstone Church

Bringing good cheer, offering Christmassy face paint, and handing out flyers for their Christmas services. You can also visit their stall to grab some sweets.

Inner Wheel

Thame’s Inner Wheel will be fundraising for Thame Senior Friendship Centre and Nasio Trust by selling pocket money gifts such as, Christmas themed pens, pencils and hair scrunchies. They will also sell Christmas themed items, such as gift bags, jam and novelty items.

Plastic Free Thame

Learn about reducing your plastic use with plastic free educational leaflets. As well as information on how to become plastic free, this stall will be showing children (and curious adults) how to make their own gift wrap. Plastic Free Thame will also be selling some plastic free gifts and items – some from Renewed Eco Shop and some made by local school children. There will also be examples of how to decorate your tree without plastic and open conversations about conservation through plastic free living.

Sobell House

This stall will be selling a selection of Christmas donated and new goods from their Thame shop and offering two tombolas, with all profits going to Sobell House Hospice Charity:

  1. Children’s Tombola – prizes include soft toys. 50p for a ticket OR 3 tickets for £1

  2. Adult’s Tombola – prizes include gift sets, new jigsaws/games, ‘smellies’. £1 for a ticket OR 3 tickets for £2

Specsavers

Specsavers will be at the lights switch on performing basic glasses repair and offering a cleaning service.  There is a spinning prize wheel where we will be giving away tote bags full of goodies.  Leaflets and sweets for the kiddies, giveaways and more. They will also be taking delivery of any Letters to Santa as well.

Thame Church

Vote on your favourite Christmas carol, and find out about what the Thame Church have planned this Advent- they have free chocolates too!

Thames Valley Air Ambulance

Running tombolas for adults and children: a Teddy Tombola for the little ones and a Drinks Tombola for those with valid ID. There will also be various TVAA merchandise to purchase and support the cause.

The Hovernauts

Selling light up bottles, scarves, Christmas tree decorations and other gift ideas. All items on their stall are handcrafted and many items are upcycled. Their stall will be raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Support a local business…

GIFTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES

EB Art and Illustration

Formally The Eco-Orange, this artist focuses on colourful and bold pieces. This stall will be selling digital illustration prints in different sizes, greeting cards, and macrame plant hangers.

Georgina Louise Art

Selling her portrait artwork, some limited edition prints, and her animal artwork designs printed on various giftable items, including: keyrings, notepads, compact mirrors, milk jugs, coasters, chopping boards, card, bookmarks, tote bags and more.

Gina’s Pashminas

Selling Indian pashminas and scarves and shawls in silk, cotton and wool. Treat yourself to a luxurious scarf or gift the perfect pashmina to a loved one this Christmas.

Hemley Hill Farm Flower Stall

The local flower stall will attend the Christmas Lights event offering wreaths and festive flower options. This local family-run business is the place to visit for floral additions to your Christmas celebrations.

Knit & Purl

Offering a lovely range of handmade knitted accessories, including hats, scarves, and decorations.

LCA Pet Supplies

Here to make sure you treat your four-legged family members this Christmas with gifts for your dogs, cats, and other pets.

Match Gallery

A local small business, started earlier this year, creates unique gifts of framed collages, made from paper and card collectibles from all over the world. Ollie primarily uses matchbox labels, cigarette cards, vintage trading cards, and more. This stall will also be running a lottery offer for a series of framed Mexican Loteria cards – choose your own, or let fate decide your card for a discount.

Merry Pantry

Twin sisters, Laura and Judith, are fundraising £20,000 for new electric wheelchairs and essential upgrades. Some of this money raised will enable them to go on a once-in-a-lifetime family trip to Thailand. Their Merry Pantry stall is part of this fundraiser and is a great way to stock up your cupboards for the festive season or shop for tasty gifts. They will be selling their own preserves, chutneys, jams, relish, pickles, chilli oil and kimchi.
They use local produce to create these pantry staples in a variety of flavours. They will also offer Spicy Caramel Cookies, Shortbread and Chocolate Shortbread.

P & V Woodcrafts

You may recognise P & V Woodcrafts from the Tuesday Charter Market. Offering hand crafted wooden football and rugby memorabilia, garden bird feeders and bird houses, fridge magnets, key chains and more. P&V woodcrafts is a great stall to browse for a unique gift this Christmas.

Road Closures

The Thame High Street/Cornmarket (from Bell Lane to North Street), Buttermarket, and High Street Carpark will be closed to traffic from midday until 8pm on Friday (28 Nov) in preparation for the Christmas Lights Switch On.

Free rides
on the Go Karts thanks to

Sponsored by Thame Cars

Selfie Station
thanks to

Sponsored by RCP Service Centre

Christmas Tree
donated by

Sponsored by ASM Auto Recycling

The Stage and Sound proudly brought to you by

Sponsored by Lightfoots Solicitors