panto Archives - Stirling Self Catering

Christmas dates to book right now!

by ssc | Oct 24, 2019 | Blog

Many of the Christmas events around Stirling are so good, and so very popular, that they sell out fast. So why not take just ten minutes right now to book a few events in advance, then sit back and relax! After all, it’s only October!

Dance the night away at Stirling’s Christmas and Hogmanay ceilidhs

Macrobert’s panto extravaganza is bolder and brighter than ever

Rapunzel: A Hair-braiding Adventure

The annual Macrobert Panto Extravaganza sells tickets like hot-cakes, so it’s wise to choose your dates now. This year’s panto is written by, directed by and starring the fabulous Johnny McKnight in ‘Rapunzel: A Hair-braiding Adventure’. Poor Rapunzel’s been locked up in a tower her entire life with no telly, no Wi-Fi and no dry shampoo! But she has dreams – of walking barefoot around the mythical land they call Tullibody, of meeting her one true love and singing a love duet, and of getting her hair cut. But one day the lonely Rapunzel has a surprising visit in her tower – Prince Rocco is armed and dangerous with a pair of scissors and a plan. The show runs 22 Nov to 31 Dec. For more information, visit: https://macrobertartscentre.org/event/rapunzel-a-hair-braiding-adventure/

Santa Steam Trains

The fabulous Santa Steam Train at Boness & Kinneil Railway (30 Nov to 22 Dec) is a magical day out for everyone in the family. And tickets sell out very fast, so do book now! Board the steam train, don your antlers, and enjoy the entertainment on board from musicians, carollers and magicians before a visit from Santa himself. Presents for the children and mince pies galore. What could be better? For more information, visit: https://www.bkrailway.co.uk/your-visit/santa-trains/

Family Christmas Ceilidhs

The Tolbooth Christmas ceilidhs on 14 December are such a popular date in Stirling’s Christmas calendar, that they draw visitors from all around and sell out quickly. But what better way to spend the lead up to Christmas than celebrating the festive season with friends and family in traditional Scottish style? Don’t worry if you’ve never been to a ceilidh before, a caller will talk you through the dances and ensure a fun time for all. The afternoon ceilidh is particularly good for families with children, while the evening ceilidh is perfect for those who want to dance the night away. For more information, visit: https://stirlingevents.org/tolbooth-event/family-christmas-ceilidh/ and https://stirlingevents.org/tolbooth-event/evening-christmas-ceilidh/

Carols at the Castle

Get festive at Stirling Castle on 15 December with a spot of mulled wine and the National Youth Choir of Scotland, as the Castle prepares to Deck the Halls with an evening of Christmas Carols in the Great Hall. A traditional, atmospheric, and memorable night for the lead up to Christmas. And there’s a discount for Historic Scotland members. But don’t delay buying tickets! For more information, visit: https://www.stirlingcastle.scot/whatson/events/carols-at-the-castle/

Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook

Couldn’t get tickets for Carols at the Castle? Then join Phil Cunningham and friends at the Albert Halls instead, for his annual festive bonanza on 15 December. An undisputed highlight of the Albert Halls’ programme last year, Phil, John McCusker, Ian Carr, Kevin McGuire and the songbook brass band perform a heady mix of favourite classics and contemporary carols and tunes. For more information, visit: https://stirlingevents.org/albert-halls-event/phil-cunninghams-christmas-songbook/

A Christmas Carol

It’s just not Christmas without this one! On 20-22 December, Stirling Castle is proud to present a magical adaptation of Charles Dickens’s classic ‘A Christmas Carol’, brought to you by Chapterhouse Theatre Company in the Castle’s Great Hall. Cosy up with your mince pie and mulled wine as Scrooge’s frozen heart begins to melt and he finally embraces the festive spirit. 10% discount for Historic Scotland members, too. For more information, visit: https://www.stirlingcastle.scot/whatson/events/a-christmas-carol/

Hogmanay Ceilidh

Stirling’s signature Hogmanay event is the Hogmanay Ceilidh at the Albert Hall, Stirling on 31 December. So, book early to avoid disappointment. With dinner and dancing led by Ian McCallum and his band, entertainment and a full bar, there really is no better place to see in the New Year. Co-hosts Anita MacKenzie and John Wilkinson, with dancers from The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, will provide a warm welcome to make sure that you bring in 2020 with a smile. For more information, visit: https://stirlingevents.org/albert-halls-event/hogmanay-ceilidh/

Will you meet Santa on a steam train?

Get into the Christmas spirit with carols at the castle

BACK TO BLOG

Light up November

by ssc | Nov 8, 2017 | Blog

The clocks have changed and the mercury’s falling – November is always the month when we realise we’re on the road to winter. But there’s plenty to celebrate in November, so throw another log on that fire and huddle up with your diary!

Join the Supernova 5K to light up the Kelpies at dusk

Join in the fun of Stirling’s Christmas lights switch-on

Supernova 5K

What better way to light up the darker evenings than with a run, jog or walk round the Helix Park? There are still slots left in the Supernova 5K for this Sunday, 10 November. Round up everyone – grandparents, uncles, aunties, parents, kids, friends and dig out anything that glows or flashes. Get yourselves suitably sparkly and set off at your own pace – there are no time limits at all. And by the way, fancy dress is strongly encouraged. This event is for everyone – from runners striving for a personal best, to the toddler taking their first steps. Enjoy. For more information, and booking (hurry!), visit: https://www.supernovarun.com/kelpies/

Christmas Lights Switch On

Come and see Santa and his reindeer start the festive celebrations in Stirling City Centre on Sunday 17 November. Santa’s reindeer will be outside the Albert Halls from 1.00pm. They will then join Santa and some special friends and set off through the city centre at 2.00pm, winding their way through Corn Exchange and down King Street, Murray Place, Friars Street, Baker Street, Corn Exchange then returning to the Albert Halls for a well-earned rest until 3.15pm. Host Jennie Cook will keep everyone entertained with festive fun at the foot of King Street from 3pm. The entertainment will include performances from Stirling High School, the Tolbooth Young Performers, Funbox and local singer Alix Muir, who will keep the crowd dancing with her pop covers until the big switch on at 5.00pm. And it’s all free! For more information, visit: www.stirlingwinterfestival.com

Rapunzel: A Hair-braiding Adventure

November 22 opens the annual Macrobert Panto Extravaganza, whose tickets sell like hot-cakes, so it’s wise to choose your dates now. This year’s panto is written by, directed by and starring the fabulous Johnny McKnight in ‘Rapunzel: A Hair-braiding Adventure’. Poor Rapunzel’s been locked up in a tower her entire life with no telly, no Wi-Fi and no dry shampoo! But she has dreams – of walking barefoot around the mythical land they call Tullibody, of meeting her one true love and singing a duet, and of getting her hair cut. But one day the lonely Rapunzel has a surprising visit in her tower – Prince Rocco is armed and dangerous with a pair of scissors and a plan. The show runs 22 Nov to 31 Dec. For more information, visit: https://macrobertartscentre.org/event/rapunzel-a-hair-braiding-adventure/

St Andrew’s Day

Scotland’s patron saint was known for his thoughtfulness and concern for others – so this St. Andrew’s Day the National Wallace Monument will follow his ethos to share with others by providing all visitors FREE ADMISSION. You’ll want to be at the Monument bright and early on Saturday 30th November to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day 2019 with free admission (Saturday only), face painting and performances of ‘Scotland’s National Hero‘. The Monument and Legends Coffee House will be open from 10:00am until 4:00pm, and there are lots of great ideas for some early Christmas shopping in the Souvenir & Gift Shop. Wrap up warm and celebrate the country’s patron saint while learning more about another national treasure – Sir William Wallace. For more information, visit: https://www.nationalwallacemonument.com/ht_event/st-andrews-day/

Panto fun at the Macrobert

Free entry to many Scottish landmarks for St Andrew’s Day

BACK TO BLOG

Christmas is coming. Get festive-ready!

by ssc | Sep 22, 2016 | Blog

We don’t mean to startle you, but – apparently – September is the month in which many of us start planning our Christmas getaway. So, if you are one of those organised few, here is a handful of reasons why you should spend your festive break in Stirling!

Grab your magic wands for Weans in the Wood at Macrobert Stirling

Make merry at Stirling Castle this December

Panto

Christmas simply isn’t Christmas without yelling ‘He’s behind you’ at least once. And the Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling never fails to deliver every year. With their customary cheeky spin on the old tales, Macrobert’s festive panto this year is ‘Weans in the Wood’. Follow the fortunes of Han No Solo, forest hooligan Little Red Riding Hood, and the wicked Sherffina of Nottingham. You’ll need your magic wand, dancing shoes and your singing voice at the ready. Book tickets here in plenty time – these invariably sell out: http://macrobertartscentre.org/event/weans-in-the-woods/

Music

Phil Cunningham brings his massively successful Christmas songbook to Stirling for the first time this year. Eddi Reader, Karen Matheson, John McCusker and Phil Cunningham will lead you through a great fun night of modern and traditional Christmas music. This is what The Scotsman says: “Mix together some brass with some of Scotland’s top folk talent, sprinkle liberally with carols and festive favourites and the result is toastier than being baked in a mince pie.” Sound good? Then details are here: http://culturestirling.org/events/phil-cunninghams-christmas-songbook/

Dance

And when we say dance, we mean YOU dance. What better way to spend the lead up to Christmas than celebrating with friends and family with a traditional Scottish ceilidh at the Tolbooth, Stirling? Brian McAlpine and The Scottish Ceilidh All Stars will talk you through the dances and ensure everyone has fun. There are two ceilidhs – at 3pm and at 8pm on 10 December. And though both ceilidhs are open to all, the afternoon ceilidh is particularly popular with families. Ready to strip the willow? Then book early here: http://culturestirling.org/events/christmas-family-ceilidh/

Making Merry

Combine your visit to Stirling Castle with some brilliant festive activities for all the family on Sunday 4 December. The Castle’s crafty elves will help you have a go at creating everything from decorations to cards, crackers and baubles. There will be some fabulous festive entertainment with the Swinging Santas, too. And it’s all included in normal admission price: http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/whatson/events/making-merry/

Santa

If you want to see the man in red, then you’ve several options in Stirlingshire. Here are two. Why not spend a day with Santa on a Steam Train at Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway? The trip includes a gift from Santa for every child. At time of writing there are plenty of tickets left, but don’t delay, as these sell out fast: http://www.bkrailway.co.uk/your-visit/santa-trains/
If you don’t get the date you want on a Santa Steam train, how about a Woodland Santa Experience at Woodland Experiences in Balfron Station? Swap a steam train for a tractor ride to Santa in his log cabin, and you’ve got the idea. There’s a gift included for kids too, and the chance for some great hot food afterwards, provided by Skinners of Kippen. For more details, and booking, see: http://www.woodlandexperiences.co.uk/santa-experience/

Cake

If all the Christmas build-up is just a bit too much for you, take solace in cake at Dobbies Garden Centre, Stirling. Dobbies launch their Christmas Afternoon Tea online bookings from September 22 for Gardening Club members, and from 4 October for non-members. Their restaurants will be serving their tasty towers of festive treats from 22 November. Om nom. For more details, and how to book, see: https://www.dobbies.com/restaurant/christmas-afternoon-tea/

Meet Santa in his winter woodland home

Too much? Take refuge in cake at Dobbies

Photo credits:

Santa Woodland Experience: Image Courtesy of Woodland Experiences. Copyright © Woodland Experiences http://woodlandexperiences.co.uk/
Weans in the Woods image supplied by Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling.
Christmas afternoon tea image supplied by Crescendo PR for Dobbies Garden Centres.

BACK TO BLOG