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

dailyrecord.co.uk:

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.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. Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area. “During Stirling 900, new events have