See the best of the holidays in Stirling! Our guide has all the must-see festive events and activities. Whether you're intimately familiar with Stirling or just getting acquainted, our guide maximizes your seasonal enjoyment.
The Castle of Light transforms Stirling Castle into a magical wonderland with stunning light displays and festive activities that capture the spirit of the season. Additionally, the Blairdrummond Christmas Spectacular features enchanting entertainment for the whole family, with delightful animals and holiday attractions that create a fun atmosphere. And the Aberdeen Christmas Village and Markets is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a fine selection of handcrafted gifts, delicious treats, and a charming festive atmosphere. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Stirling
- Castle of Light (Edinburgh)
- Aberdeen Christmas Village and Markets (Aberdeen)
- Blairdrummond Christmas Spectacular
- Christmas at the Botanics (Edinburgh)
- Conifox Christmas Experience (Kirkliston)
- Beecraigs Starry Nights (Linlithgow)
- Dundee Christmas Market WinterFest (Dundee)
- THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Edinburgh)
- Dean Castle Starry Nights (Kilmarnock)
- Winterfest At Dalkeith Country Park (Dalkeith)
See these and even more events listed below!
Stirling Holiday Light Displays
Beecraigs Starry Nights
What to Expect:
Immersive outdoor Christmas experience with interactive installations and festive entertainment.
Description:
Beecraigs Country Park transforms into a vibrant Christmas spectacle with stunning light displays, interactive installations, and festive entertainment. Explore beautifully lit forests, festive food villages, and Santa's Grotto amidst a variety of themed attractions.
Where: Linlithgow | More Info: Beecraigs Starry Nights
Five Sisters Zoo Illuminations
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with synchronized light displays.
Description:
Five Sisters Zoo Illuminations features a spectacular display of thousands of lights and Christmas decorations, with illuminated animal sculptures and festive market stalls. The event includes a heated bar area, children's rides, and the opportunity to see the zoo's animals in a new light. Santa's grotto is also available for a special meet-and-greet experience.
Where: West Calder | More Info: Five Sisters Zoo Illuminations
Dean Castle Starry Nights
What to Expect:
Immersive lighting trail with lasers and sound installations.
Description:
Explore a vibrant Christmas light trail at Dean Castle Country Park, featuring immersive sound installations, festive lights, and interactive exhibits. Enjoy live performances, festive food, and a visit to Santa's Grotto.
Where: Kilmarnock | More Info: Dean Castle Starry Nights
Christmas at the Botanics
What to Expect:
Outdoor light trail with hand-picked street food vendors and festive drinks.
Description:
The Christmas at the Botanics event features an illuminated trail with award-winning lights, festive snacks, and seasonal drinks, set in the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Where: Edinburgh | More Info: Christmas at the Botanics
Stirling Holiday Markets and Shopping
Stirling Castle Christmas Fayre
What to Expect:
Local Scottish brands and crafts showcased in a historic setting.
Description:
The Stirling Castle Christmas Fayre is a vibrant marketplace in the Great Hall, featuring local Scottish brands, crafts, and fine foods and drinks. Enjoy live music from a brass band and indulge in delicious mince pies and mulled wine.
Where: Stirling | More Info: Stirling Castle Christmas Fayre
Traquair House Christmas Fayre
What to Expect:
Santa's luxurious grotto and diverse entertainment options.
Description:
Traquair House Christmas Fayre features beautifully decorated house, Santa's luxurious grotto, puppet shows, carol singers, silver bands, face painting, and local stalls selling gifts, crafts, and Christmas treats.
Where: Innerleithen | More Info: Traquair House Christmas Fayre
Aberdeen Christmas Village and Markets
What to Expect:
Unique market with diverse gift options and gourmet food.
Description:
The Aberdeen Christmas Village returns to Broad Street, featuring a unique market within Marischal College Quadrangle. Each weekend offers a diverse range of gifts, crafts, clothing, jewellery, homeware, and gourmet food and drink. The event is organized by Charlie House and supports local businesses while raising funds for a worthy charity.
Where: Aberdeen | More Info: Aberdeen Christmas Village and Markets
Dundee Christmas Market WinterFest
What to Expect:
Full-scale ice rink and vintage funfair.
Description:
Dundee's WinterFest at Slessor Gardens offers a vibrant Christmas experience with a vintage funfair, traditional Bavarian bar, and a full-scale ice rink. The event features over 20 Christmas stalls and is expected to attract 200,000 visitors.
Where: Dundee | More Info: Dundee Christmas Market WinterFest
Oban Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Traditional Scottish music and local crafts.
Description:
Oban Winter Festival is a ten-day celebration in Oban, Scotland, featuring markets, music, reindeer, lights, and parades. Enjoy traditional Scottish music, local crafts, and delicious food amidst the town's festive atmosphere.
Where: Oban | More Info: Oban Winter Festival
Stirling Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Blairdrummond Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas show with storytelling, puppets, and music.
Description:
Join Blair Drummond Safari Park for a Christmas Spectacular featuring Santa's sleigh fly-bys, mischievous elves, festive food and drink, dinosaur illuminations, and a cracking Christmas show. Enjoy a brand-new festive train ride and Scotland's biggest Christmas tree. The event includes seasonal talks, festive food and drinks, and marshmallow fire pits.
Where: Stirling | More Info: Blairdrummond Christmas Spectacular
Castle of Light
What to Expect:
State-of-the-art light installations and historical storytelling projections.
Description:
Edinburgh Castle transforms into a spectacular light show with immersive displays, interactive installations, and historical storytelling. Walk in famous footsteps, dance through ages in Crown Square, and fire Mons Meg for the first time since the 17th century. Meet Rex the loveable lion and enjoy the city's stories brought to life on the castle walls.
Where: Edinburgh | More Info: Castle of Light
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
What to Expect:
Fully immersive theatrical experience with beloved characters.
Description:
Join THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Edinburgh for a theatrical experience based on the 2004 motion picture. Meet beloved characters like The Conductor, chefs serving hot chocolate, and Santa Claus. This immersive event is perfect for families to create wonderful Christmas memories.
Where: Edinburgh | More Info: THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
Stirling Other Holiday Activities
Conifox Christmas Experience
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas activities with Santa and festive characters.
Description:
Step into Santa's Living Room to meet the big man himself and snap a family photo. Each child receives a Golden Christmas Coin to exchange for a gift or teddy at the Make-a-Teddy Factory. Enjoy cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, check your Naughty or Nice status, and explore the Magic Forest with Frosty the Snowman and The Nutcracker. Visit the North Pole Post Room, attend Reindeer Flying School, and learn at Elf School. End your visit with festive food and drinks at Taylor’s of Edinburgh Christmas Funfair.
Where: Kirkliston | More Info: Conifox Christmas Experience
Santa’s Woodland Experience
What to Expect:
Interactive woodland activities with Santa.
Description:
Immerse yourself in a festive woodland setting with Santa's Woodland Experience, featuring interactive activities and seasonal delights.
Where: Balfron | More Info: Santa’s Woodland Experience
Winterfest At Dalkeith Country Park
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice rink and festive activities in a scenic country park setting.
Description:
Winterfest at Dalkeith Country Park offers a variety of festive activities, including an outdoor ice rink, Elf Storytelling, the Festive Doddie Dash, and Kids' Christmas Workshops. Visitors can also join Santa for a special group session and participate in wreath-making workshops.
Where: Dalkeith | More Info: Winterfest At Dalkeith Country Park
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Alloa (6 miles)
- Falkirk (10 miles)
- Cumbernauld (12 miles)
- Airdrie (18 miles)
- Coatbridge (18 miles)
- Bishopbriggs (18 miles)
- Dunfermline (19 miles)
- Bathgate (19 miles)
- Bearsden (21 miles)
- Bellshill (21 miles)
- Glasgow (21 miles)
- Livingston (22 miles)
- Rutherglen (23 miles)
- Motherwell (23 miles)
- Cambuslang (23 miles)
- Clydebank (24 miles)
- Wishaw (24 miles)
- Renfrew (25 miles)
- Hamilton (25 miles)
- Meikle Earnock (26 miles)
- East Kilbride (26 miles)
- Vale of Leven (27 miles)
- Perth (27 miles)
- Paisley (28 miles)
- Newton Mearns (28 miles)
- Glenrothes (30 miles)
- Kirkcaldy (30 miles)
- Edinburgh (31 miles)
- Greenock (34 miles)
- Musselburgh (36 miles)
- Kilmarnock (41 miles)
- Dundee (44 miles)
- Irvine (44 miles)