Are you looking for something fun to do with the family during the Easter School holidays?
Here are some ideas for keeping everyone entertained!
Stirling Castle Unicorn Weekend:
Scotland’s national animal makes a magical return to Stirling Castle this weekend – Saturday April 5 and Sunday April 6 – as Historic Environment Scotland’s popular Unicorn event takes place.
Castle guests can meet majestic unicorns Princess and Pumpkin in the Queen Anne Gardens and also enjoy a range of unicorn-themed family friendly activities. These include a puppet show, helping court jesters find unicorn ducks and getting tips for tracking unicorns in the wild.
In addition, author Lindsay Littleson will be reading from her children’s novel, `Guardians of the Wild Unicorns.’
A medieval Royal Herald will also be at the Castle talking about the Scottish coat of arms and symbols of heraldry and visitors are invited to create their own heraldry or make mythical beast puppets to take home.
Gillian Urquhart, Events Manager at HES, says: “Unicorn weekend at Stirling Castle has become a perennial favourite. The event is jam-packed with activities celebrating our beloved national animal as well as live performances and interactive experiences. With such a wide range of activities, there is a way for everyone to engage with Scotland’s rich heritage.”
The event will run on Saturday April 5 and Sunday April 6 from 11am-5pm with all activities included in the entrance ticket. Buy tickets here – Unicorn | Leading Public Body for Scotland’s Historic Environment
Europa Music’s Record Store Day:
Iconic Friars Street store Europa Music – the recent winner of Stirling’s Retailer of the Year Award – is celebrating International Record Store Day 2025 on Saturday April 12.
Music fans can enjoy a full afternoon of live music with three stages outside the shop from 12 noon.
The line-up includes Taz and the Maniacs, Stephen Kemp, The Boptimists, Megan McAvoy, The Talking Stage, Dead Dolphins, Murder of Crows, Mr DB, Thrown Away, The Gator, Deltamatic and Tonto.
Record Store Day celebrates and promotes the unique culture of independently owned record stores across the world with the first event taking place on April 19, 2008.
It’s a day for everyone involved in record stores—the staff, the customers and the artists—to come together and highlight the special role they play in their communities.
The event also includes the release of special vinyl and CD releases and promotional products made exclusively for Record Store Day.
For more details and the timings of Europa’s live events for Record Store Day 2025, visit their Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EuropaMusic
Fairytale Trail Chapter Four:
Our Friars Street businesses are fantastic when it comes to organising events and the fourth annual Fairytale Trail – run by two of the street’s business owners – will bring magic to the city on Sunday April 13.
The 2km Fairytale Trail is a sponsored walk which features much-loved characters from children’s stories including the Gruffalo, the Tin Man, the princesses from Frozen, Rapunzel, Pinocchio and many more.
It is organised by Lisa Davidson who runs Friars Street gift shop Tinkerbells Emporium and Laura McClintock – owner and tattooist at the Nevermore Tattoo & Piercing studio – and raises vital funds for the National Autistic Society Scotland.
Lisa and Laura first organised the Fairytale Trail in April 2022 to raise funds for the autism charity – a cause which is close to both their hearts.
They spent hours hand-painting all the characters and the event was an enormous success with scores of children and adults dressing up as their favourite fairytale character to walk the route from the Albert Halls to Kings Park.
Now the fourth event is set to take place with facepainting and games on Friars Street from 11am on Sunday April 13 before the walk begins at 1pm led by Lisa dressed as Tinkerbell and Laura as Maleficent.
All entrants will receive a personalised finisher’s bag and certificate and they can sign up to take part at Tinkerbell’s Emporium.
Stirling’s Dinosaur Egg-stravaganza at Thistles:
The Thistles shopping centre is set to transport visitors back to the prehistoric era this Easter with Stirling’s Dinosaur Egg-stravaganza – a two-week dino-themed interactive event which will delight families and dinosaur lovers of all ages.
The event takes place from Monday April 7 until Sunday April 20 when the Thistles will be home to an indoor dino beach where young explorers can dig for dinosaur bones and let their imaginations run wild. Open daily from 11am to 3pm, the beach experience is in partnership with Strathcarron Hospice with a suggested £2 donation for 30 minutes of play. All proceeds will support the hospice’s vital work across Forth Valley.
There will also be interactive shows on Friday April 18 and Saturday April 19 when Rex the T-Rex and a team of baby dinosaurs stomp into Thistles for two action-packed days of live dinosaur performances. Throughout each day, families can meet Rex – a lifelike animatronic T-Rex towering at 8ft tall and 17ft long – along with newly hatched baby dinosaurs, all under the watchful eye of their expert rangers.
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Meanwhile, to further celebrate the reopening of Thistles Car Park, visitors parking on those two days could uncover an extra dino-themed surprise! Each day, 10 dino eggs will be placed on random car windscreens with lucky shoppers receiving free parking for the day. And a golden egg will be hidden across the two days – awarding one driver free parking for the rest of the year.
Gary Turnbull, Centre Director at Thistles said: “We’re excited to welcome Rex and his friends to Thistles this Easter for some prehistoric fun. With the Easter holidays being such a special time for families, we’re delighted to offer an event that keeps the whole family entertained, all while supporting the fantastic work of Strathcarron. We can’t wait to see families digging for bones, meeting baby dinosaurs, and enjoying all the activities we have planned.”
For more details go to www.thistlesstirling.com
Friars Wynd Hotel & Bar Knit 'n' Natter
Friars Wynd Hotel & Bar is offering crafters the chance to share their hobbies with fellow enthusiasts over a cuppa or even a pint.
Join the group between 6-8pm with your crafting project on Monday, April 14th. The group will meet every second Monday.
For more information visit the What’s On Stirling Website.
Escape Stirling and Game of Throwing
Get active this Easter Holiday and explore the 2 new escape rooms at Escape Stirling or stretch your arms with Game of Throwing.
Both activities are offering a ‘cracking deal’ with 25% off your booking.
Visit Escape Stirling at 80 Murray Pl, Stirling FK8 2DR and Game of Throwing at Arcade, 25B King St, Stirling FK8 1AX.
Share photos of your Easter fun with us by tagging @goforthstirling across all social media.
