The countdown to Christmas will officially get underway in Stirling with its annual Christmas Lights Switch On event on Saturday 21 November.
The day will feature costumed performers in addition entertainment from Central FM on Port Street where presenters and local musicians will make an appearance.
A new addition to the event is a Santa Tractor Trail where Mr and Mrs Claus will appear in specially decorated tractors making their way from Stirling Castle into the city centre.
Elsewhere on the day, festive family activities and choir performances will be taking place at the Albert Halls from 2pm.
Other significant events taking place over the festive period in Stirling include the return of the Winterlight music festival at the Albert Halls for its second edition following a successful inaugural event last December. Additionally, Hogmanay will once again be marked with a fireworks display at the National Wallace Monument as Stirling rings in the New Year.
A new fund has also been opened for local groups to apply to add to the New Year festivities. Stirling’s Hogmanay Events Fund is open to applications from local creatives, event organisers, community groups and businesses until Friday 27 November. Grants of up to £500 are available to help plan and deliver new and exciting events across the Stirling Council area between 28 December and 3 January.
Finance, Economy and Culture Convener, Cllr Gerry McLaughlan said: “The annual Christmas Lights Switch On event is always a brilliant occasion that brings families into the city centre to watch Santa and his helpers mark the beginning of the festive period and get everybody into the Christmas spirit with the days becoming darker.
“We have an excellent calendar of events taking place in and around the Council area this winter, including the return of the Winterlight festival at the Albert Halls for fans of the best in Scottish traditional music and the return of Stirling’s Hogmanay fireworks display to bring in the bells for the new year.
“We’re determined to make Stirling’s Hogmanay celebrations something that all communities can be proud of and take part in. The creation of Stirling’s Hogmanay Events Fund offers a chance for community groups and businesses to enhance the celebrations for everybody.”