Flicking switch onfestive lights

Stirling’s annual Christmas lights ‘switch on’ takes place on Sunday afternoon at the junction of the city’s King Street and Port Street.

Entertainment, headlined by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, begins at 2pm and will feature the Stirling Santa Parade.

Santa and his reindeer will be outside the Albert Halls at 2pm before heading to his temporary home inside The Thistles shopping centre.

Central FM Radio Roadshow will be keeping the crowds entertained with festive tunes from 2.10pm and there will be live performances from Alix Muir and Little Mix tribute group, Little Fix, until the big switch-on at 5pm. Red Hot Chilli Pipers will continue with the entertainment until 5.40pm.

During the afternoon, The Thistles shopping centre will open its ‘Snow Circus’ from 2.30-6pm. The free experience for children will also be open on November 26 before moving to a daily schedule,11am until 5pm, in December until Christmas Eve.

Seven-year-old Mylo Alexander Baker from Bannockburn has won the prize of switching on this year’s Christmas lights along with Provost Christine Simpson .

The Thistles’ late night opening starts on December 11, daily until 7pm (8pm on Thursdays) and until 6pm at weekends.