Your Christmas Events Guide

Christmas bauble

Deck the halls! Planning the countdown is as fun as the day itself.

Often the exhilarating run up to Christmas is as fun as the day itself – and is sometimes even better. To help you plan the countdown to Christmas and keep everyone occupied over the holidays and into the New Year, we’ve rounded up some of Stirling and Perthshire’s best events for the next month or two.

Perth’s Christmas Market is open! The fair city’s High Street is hosting its traditional Christmas market this year from 27 November until 22 December, from 9am-6pm daily. There are Alpine chalet-style stalls, a heated marquee, freshly-cooked artisan street foods, mulled wine, continental beers and free entertainment. There’s a new attraction every day, including carol singers, street acrobats, celebrity lookalikes and live animal appearances. And it’s free! If one Christmas market is just not enough, then hop on the train to Glasgow’s George Square or Edinburgh’s Princes Street for their internationally acclaimed Christmas Markets too.

Santa is in residence throughout Christmas at Dobbies Stirling

Santa is in residence throughout Christmas at Dobbies Stirling

Dobbies in Stirling is busy this year with festive treats for everyone. It’s Ladies’ shopping night tonight with fizz, canapés and exclusive discounts for the girls. Children will love breakfast with Santa on 29 November, the Winter Wonderland Christmas Party on 7 December, or Supper with Santa on 13 December. Santa’s Grotto is open until Christmas Eve, and for adults, there’s Christmas afternoon tea on offer too. Most events should be pre-booked. See the Dobbies website for prices and booking.

If you’re looking for some Christmassy shows (a warm option!) then there are plenty out there. Pitlochry Festival Theatre are staging a musical of the classic story of ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ – the perfect show for kids whose belief in Mr Claus is wavering. In Stirling, panto gets a disco twist with the Macrobert’s sparkling new take on Aladdin. If you prefer to kick up your heels, then the Tolbooth Stirling has the choice of two Christmas ceilidhs this year on Saturday 13 December. Families can go along from 3-5 in the afternoon, and the grown-ups can follow from 8-10pm. These ceilidhs invariably sell out, so book quickly!

The Kelpies are celebrating their first Christmas this year

The Kelpies are celebrating their first Christmas this year

For a very different day out close to Stirling, Scotland’s newest National Treasures, the Kelpies, are celebrating their first Christmas this year. There will be hot drinks, warm mince pies and free entertainment on Sunday 14 December at the Kelpie Plaza, the Helix Falkirk. You’ll find Santa is in residence at the Falkirk Wheel (how does he do it?), with a grotto and regular Santa boat trips from 13 December until Christmas Eve. If you miss him there, you may find the man in red enjoying the log fire, warm punch and mince pies on offer at Linlithgow Canal Centre on 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st December, where he will also be handing out gifts to children. You can also enjoy a leisurely boat cruise with full Christmas lunch on Sundays 14 and 21st December.

Round off Christmas with Stirling's spectacular Hogmanay Celebrations

Round off Christmas with Stirling’s spectacular Hogmanay Celebrations

Turning your thoughts to 2015? Why not head to Boness and Kinneil Steam Railway where you can see out the old year on a steam Train with their ‘Black Bun Specials’ on 30 and 31 December – enjoy a hot drink and Black Bun (juice and shortbread for the kids) from the comfort of your warm carriage. And New Year would simply not be complete without tickets for Stirling’s award-winning Hogmanay celebrations. The Waterboys and Skerryvore are just two big names in this year’s line-up, with music and fireworks lighting up the night against the spectacular backdrop of Stirling Castle. Tickets are selling fast, so don’t delay. If you prefer to bring in the bells indoors, book now for Stirling’s Hogmanay Ceilidh in the Albert Halls with dinner, dancing, entertainment and a full bar in sumptuous surroundings. Does it get any better? Happy New Year!

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