Stirling's festive season to kick off with big Christmas light switch-on this weekend

Stirling’s festive season 2024 officially kicks off this weekend with the Christmas lights switch on.

A fun-filled family parade, panto entertainers, community performers and an appearance from Santa and Mrs Claus will showcase the city centre in all its full, festive glory on Saturday, November 16.

The theme for this year is ‘Santa’s Little Helpers’ and includes a parade from Baker Street Gardens, beginning at 4.30pm, to the roundel at the foot of King Street for the big switch on at 5pm.

The parade will feature the Stirling and District Schools Pipe Band, the City of Stirling Pipe Band, cast favourites from this year’s ‘Snow White’ panto at the Macrobert, Stirling Scouts and Cubs, community groups, as well as Mr and Mrs Claus and Lord Provost, Elaine Watterson.

The Tolbooth Voices Choir will sing festive songs from the roundel and the lights will be switched on by Santa at 5pm, with help from Stirling Makar Laura Fyfe.

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Before then, family entertainment gets underway in Port Street from 2.30pm-3.30pm, including offerings from Santa’s helper elves and the Strathcarron Singers choir, with a free festive craft workshop also taking place at The Tolbooth.

Stirling Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, said: “It’s always great to see Stirling sparkle as people begin to get into the Christmas spirit and the countdown to the festive season gets underway.

“It’s also wonderful to see the community come together at events such as the big switch-on, in anticipation of the exciting programme of events taking place in venues across Stirling in the coming weeks. There really is something for everyone, with families very much to the fore.

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“During Stirling 900, new events have provided a great showcase for the growing vibrancy of the city centre and so many new businesses are joining the fabulous range of experiences available here in Stirling.

“There’s something magical about Stirling at this time of year and we particularly appreciate the work of our traders in adding to the festive glow as they gear up for their busiest time of the year.”

The switch on celebrations are among a packed festive programme of events taking place across Stirling, including the National Wallace Monument, The Tolbooth and The Albert Halls.

These include concerts, Christmas markets, pantos, family ceilidhs, storytelling for children and festive film shows. The Thistles will also be hosting Santa’s grotto from Saturday, November 30, running every weekend until the big day, as well as December 23 and 24.

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From December 7, Santa will also be at the National Wallace Monument each weekend until Sunday December 22 for a magical storytelling experience. Tickets are now on sale at £5 per person and include entry to the Monument. The Monument and The Tolbooth will also be lit in green and red to coincide with the Christmas light switch-on in the city centre.

There will be a Christmas market at The Albert Halls on Saturday November 30 and Sunday December 1 offering visitors the chance to pick up festive gifts including decorations, clothing, food and drink, art and ceramics.

The Albert Halls will also play host to a string of big name acts, including The Phil Cunningham and Friends Christmas Show, with Eddi Reader and Karen Matheson. Other festive themed shows include Buble by Candlelight and The Jingle Belles, with a string of headline shows between Christmas and New Year from Skerryvove and Manran, as well as the Peatbog Faeries, Talisk and Rura, building up to a festive evening ceilidh until 10pm on December 31.

The Tolbooth is also offering a jam packed eclectic programme. The popular Supper Club returns with a special festive edition on December 19, as well as a wreath making evening, festive movies and other activities.

More information on the full festive programme is available at www.stirlingevents.org, which also includes details of how to purchase vouchers for events at The Tolbooth and Albert Halls as the perfect Christmas gift.