The Stirling Spooktacular Halloween Events prove a Big Success
Visitors to Stirling enjoyed a fun-filled Halloween thanks to a series of spooktacular events organised by the Go Forth team.
Article Source: Go Forth Stirling
Last Updated: 4 November 2024 12:10
The Guising Day, Halloween Trail and Light Show proved a big hit with families and business owners who dressed up, cast spells and brought some magic to the city streets.
Businesses welcomed youngsters dressed as witches, wizards and goblins into their shops for tricks and treats and the events also included a Magic Wand Making Workshop and Halloween street performer Magic Merlin.
Meanwhile, an after-dark treat was in store on King Street when the Athenaeum was lit up with dazzling Halloween graphics in a spectacular light show.
More than 2,000 people registered for the events, organised by Go Forth Stirling BID, with several hundred guisers visiting 31 participating businesses and the Go Forth offices which had been transformed into a Witches Workshop.
Footfall counters showed an increase of 34% in the city centre across the weekend - compared with the same weekend last year - with 53,773 visitors on the Saturday (October 26) and 30,966 on the Sunday (October 27).
Meanwhile, 80% of respondents surveyed about the events said they discovered businesses they were unaware of thanks to their participation in the Halloween Trail.
Sophie Corbett, who runs the newly opened SRTD Vintage shop in Stirling Arcade, said Saturday’s events made her opening day extra special and helped spread awareness about her business.
She said: “It was wonderful to have extra footfall on my opening day with lots of youngsters dressed up in Halloween costumes coming in with their families for the Guising Day.
“Lots of the parents told me they planned to return for a proper look around the shop and were really interested in what I have to offer and it was good to get involved with the rest of the business community in an event so soon after starting my new venture.”
Lisa Davidson, who owns gift shop Tinkerbells Emporium on Friars Street, had around 230 guisers visiting her shop on the Saturday and sales were up by 30%.
She said: “It was an enjoyable day with a fantastic collective community spirit surrounding all the events and we were pleased to get involved.
“The Friars Street businesses also hosted our annual pumpkin carving competition with Laura from Nevermore Tattoo Studio named as this year’s winner.”
Stirling resident Aisha Abdi enjoyed the Sunday evening Light Show with her husband Daniel Valles.
She said: “I was so impressed with the Light Show – it was amazing and just fantastic to have something like this in Stirling.
“It was lovely to see so many children enjoying the projections which really brought King Street to life and I’d like to see more light show events in the city.”
The Go Forth Stirling team were delighted with the reception the events received.
Events Co-ordinator Josie Brown said: “We’re thrilled with the success of the weekend which brought lots of extra visitors into Stirling and a chance for families to enjoy a weekend of fun.
“The feedback from participating businesses and families has been positive and it was good to hear that 80% of Trail participants who completed our survey said they had discovered businesses which were new to them while taking part.
“Some said they didn’t usually venture outside of the Thistles and were pleased to find lots of lovely new shops and cafes while following the Trail.
“We’re grateful to everyone who got involved and especially want to thank all the participating businesses who helped make our Halloween events such a success.”
A total of 235 youngsters completed the Halloween Trail by finding hidden ingredients in local shops, collecting them and bringing them to the Go Forth office to cast a spell and receive a prize.
One family said: “My daughter did the Halloween trail during the week and loved it so much we came back to do it again on the Saturday alongside the guising trail. It was fantastic! Such a great idea for children and a wonderful way to meet local business owners.”
The Halloween Trail and dedicated events are among the many initiatives - aimed at boosting footfall and encouraging more visitors to come into the city centre - organised by Go Forth Stirling BID (Business Improvement District).
The organisation was set up in 2017 and currently represents more than 600 local businesses with a key objective of delivering projects and services which improve Stirling’s trading environment to benefit businesses, shoppers and visitors.
For more details visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk
Image: A Scotdrone photo of Go Forth's Halloween Light Show on King Street
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
Wallace High Girls bid again for Scottish Cup glory
People across Stirling are being urged to cheer on Wallace High Senior Girls on Friday night (9 May) as they bid to retain the Scottish Cup.
READ MORE
David Attenborough and Eurovision steal the spotlight at Vue venues in Scotland this month
Audiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
The Royal Yacht Britannia Exhibition and Retail Experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors
2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival rounds off biggest event yet with Happy Mondays and STREETrave Classical
Pavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.
READ MORE
Cineworld announces first ever 4DX Family Day
For one day only, families can experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in immersive 4DX at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide.
READ MORE
Brand new show Something About Lennon opens UK tour this month with Scottish dates
Celebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.
READ MORE
Celebrate Fathers Day in Style with Dobbies Sunday Lunch and Planting Experience
This June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.
READ MORE
Blue Light Awards Scotland to honour emergency services heroes
Nominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.
READ MORE
Funding awarded to seven projects for tree planting in cities and towns across Scotland
The Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
READ MORE
Culture Night Stirling 2026 announced
Stirling Council and local partners are delighted to announce a new annual celebration of culture, which will see the area come alive at night with an exciting range of events and activities.
READ MORE
IRN BRU proposes Kelpies mythical makeover to honour our national animal
IRN-BRU thinks it’s time for Scotland’s unicorns to finally toot their own horn - by giving one of the country’s most iconic sculptures a magical makeover.
READ MORE
Rory McIlroy Confirmed for Genesis Scottish Open
Newly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MORE
Major milestone reached in new flood defence scheme for Bridge of Allan
A new £16 million flood prevention scheme for Bridge of Allan has taken a significant step forward following approval to procure a contract to design and build the defences.
READ MORE
Holding Back The Years: 40 Years of Simply Red in cinemas May 15
To celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.
READ MORE
This May bank holiday weekend sees 3 day festival take over Ayr Beach and the sun is set to shine!
Pavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!
READ MORE
Fun for all the family at the 36th annual Scottish Game Fair
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.
READ MORE
Free Glorious Grass gardening workshop for children at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.
READ MORE
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain for 2025 is named
Stirling Highland Games have announcement that former Scotland Women’s rugby internationalist Lyndsay O'Donnell has been appointed as their honorary chieftain for 2025.
READ MORE
Market set to bring flavours and crafts from around the world to Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Shores is hosting a continental market on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of May!
READ MORE
Landmark active travel project in Stirling officially opens
A ground-breaking active travel network that will transform how people get around Stirling and the wider region has officially opened.
READ MORE
New Bluey collection comes to cinemas for the May Bank Holiday
Bluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
READ MORE
New and exclusive Heritage Planting and Afternoon Tea experience comes to Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.
READ MORE
Stories of inspiring young women sought by charity
The Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.
READ MORE
The Scottish Wild Food Festival returns from 17th to 18th May
From Forest Floor to Firepit: Scotland’s Wild Food Festival Returns with a Focus on Responsible Foraging, Boozy Botany and Coastal Flavours.
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns next weekend with a supersized celebration
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for its biggest event yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before!
READ MORE
Trusts join forces to explore complexities of the Battle of Culloden
The National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.
READ MORE
Love Your Lawn with Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a very special FREE Grow How event in stores across the UK this May in partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK to mark Dementia Action Week.
READ MORE
Exclusive child planting event in honour of National Childrens Gardening Week
Dobbies Garden Centres are celebrating National Children's Gardening Week by welcoming families along to its Children's Planting and Afternoon Tea experience on Saturday 31st May.
READ MORE
BBC Introducing comes to TRNSMT Festival, bringing 20 rising stars
Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has announced the BBC Introducing Stage, previously River Stage, will showcase 20 of the most exciting emerging artists in the country.
READ MORE
The hoppiest time of the year at the National Trust For Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland is hopping into spring as it hosts 40 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care in April!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links