By Natasha Cameron
The City of Stirling is now aglow with seasonal Christmas lights to begin the festive season.
17 November marked the start of the Christmas season in Stirling with their annual light switch on.
Families gathered around Stirling to mark the turning on the festive lights to get their holiday season underway last Sunday, as decorations spread over the city included a centrepiece Christmas tree.
Lights and banners lit up the cold evening sky with Christmas banners spread across Port Street and King Street.
Large crowds started to gather around the city centre all day to enjoy the other attractions such as the fair rides and the live music along the usual shopper filled Murray Place.
But everyone had come to see the main event, the light switch on, which this year was done by a lucky participate.
Clara Louise, a primary one student, who was nominated by her Gran, was told she would be the person to do the honours the day after her fifth birthday.
However, to get to the lights meant a ride in Santa’s Sleigh, in what was a truly remarkable gift to bring in Christmas.
The usual Santa’s Procession took to the city’s streets and travelled on a winding route from the Corn Exchange while the Tolbooth’s Young Performers and youths from Stirling High School built up festive cheer with a range of Christmas songs.
Among the live performances was an appearance of a group of performers, the Singing Kettle who are now known as Funbox.
This musical group was undoubtedly a fan favourite, with generations of children enjoying the musical acts that they perform. As well as the celebrity pop group, were other locally based bands and solo performers who helped to give the event a strong sense of community.
Lights lighting up Murray Place for the festive season.
Stirling’s event is one of many across the country, with sub sequential and similar events taking place over the holiday period.
One such similar gathering is the Christmas Market in Edinburgh, which is one of, if not the most popular, Christmas themed attraction across the country.
It takes place in Princes Street Gardens from November to January and truly encompasses the festive spirit. Festive food stalls, a Christmas maze and theme-park rides are a few of the things to take part during the Christmas period.
The high street was busy with locals wanting to begin the festivities, with many gathered around the live performers and using surrounding shops to grab a snack and a Christmas gift or two. Shops and streets alike are now decorated across the high street in celebration of ‘the most wonderful time of the year’.
Stirling is home of many events throughout the year and is a city of culture and community.
Hotels and restaurants across the city are preparing Christmas events to give customers a chance to enjoy the festivities fully, in a time of the year where people of Stirling come together to celebrate with family and friends.