Several of Stirling’s assortment of businesses have something festive to enjoy this year. From Christmas markets to Santa’s Grotto.
Carol Singing
Christmas carols make up the atmosphere of a town or home setting up for Christmas. Songs about snow, Santa Claus and sleigh bells fill the air as families gather on Christmas Day.
To open the festive month, Logie Kirk is hosting a carol service running from 4pm on the first of December. The event is free and all are welcome.
Christmas Shopping
Shopping for gifts and treats is a staple of getting into the festive spirit. And Stirling has an array of places to go for this.
Stirling Castle will be welcoming visitors to their Christmas Shopping Fayre on the third.
Living historians dressed as nobility and castle servants will wander wander the castle grounds as you explore. The event is on from 6pm-9pm. Adult tickets are £6.
Christmas Market
Christmas markets have been popular since the Middle Ages where villages in German-speaking regions would light up with stalls selling food and crafts.
Today, they are known for their mulled wine, crafts and rides.
Stirling’s creative heart, Made in Stirling, is putting its own spin on this Christmas event staple.
With 42 local artists and crafters, the shop will be full of unique and heartfelt gifts for friends, family and loved ones.
Entrance to the event is free and it runs from 10am-5pm and is open seven days a week. From November 4 to January 5.
Christmas Cheer at the Smith
Running on December 8 the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum will offer festive food and drinks in The Smith Café to bring out your Christmas spirit. From hot chocolate to mulled wine, there is something for everyone.
There will also be a beautiful Christmas tree to welcome you and activities for families.
This event is on from 12pm-4pm.
As usual, entrance to the museum and art gallery is free for everyone.
And some activities will be outside so wrap up warm!
Christmas Pantomime
Another activity on your Christmas checklist should be seeing a pantomime. Characters dressed in flamboyant costumes and joyful singing attracts young and old.
From November 27 to December 31 the University of Stirling’s Macrobert Arts Centre is showing the Snow White pantomime. With its cast of familiar and unique characters played by talented actors, you’ll be sure to laugh and sing all night.
Ice Skating
Stirling’s leisure centre, The Peak, has an ice rink perfect for skaters of any experience level.
Skaters can hire penguins or snowmen to skate with to keep their balance.
This is a perfect weekend activity and it gives you the opportunity to show off your moves!
Public skating is available at £9 each for adults.
Christmas Spectacular
Blair Drummond Safari Park will be welcoming Santa Claus and his sleigh once again at the Christmas Spectacular event.
Guests can enjoy Christmas shows, appearances from Santa and his elves, and festive treats. There will also be dinosaur illuminations and marshmallow toasting fire pits.
The Christmas Spectacular will be on from November 30 to December 23 and from 10am-3:30pm on weekdays and 10am-5:30pm on the weekend. Last entry to the drive thru reserves and Lemur Land will be at 2:45pm.
The park will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday during this period.
Third year journalism student. 2025/2026 Lifestyle and Comment Editor at Brig. Published in The Yucatán Times, Mi Campeche and The Mourning Paper. Host of From the 40s with Air3Radio.
