THE Thistles in Stirling was the scene of Christmas magic at the weekend as the centre launched Snow Circus, this year’s unmissable children’s festive activity.

The opening of Snow Circus was a highlight of an action-packed day which included the annual Santa’s Reindeer Parade stopover in the centre and culminated in Stirling’s Christmas Lights Switch On.

Excitement levels were running especially high for The Thistles competition winner, Mylo Alexander Baker, 7, from Bannockburn, who won the prize of switching on this year’s Christmas lights with the Provost.

Mylo, along with sister Emily, mum Stacey and dad Ryan, had an exclusive first-meet earlier in the day with Father Christmas at Snow Circus before the parade and switch on.

With four weeks until Christmas, Snow Circus will be open this Sunday, November 26 before moving to a daily 11am–5pm opening for the entirety of December until Christmas Eve.

A spokesperson for The Thistles said: "Snow Circus is officially open and offers unmissable free fun for children.

"With four weeks until Christmas we are pulling out the stops to guarantee extra special festive fun this year at The Thistles.

"We look forward to welcoming families to the centre and invite them to come along and meet Father Christmas and his incredible Big Top performers every day through December until Christmas Eve."

The free experience transports children into a magical Big Top, located outside Boots, where they will meet Father Christmas – The Ringmaster.

Upon approaching Snow Circus, and before being led in to the Big Top by The Ringmaster’s incredible performers, Snowball the Christmas Clown and Priscilla Ice, children will learn to become circus extraordinaires.

Here they will take on tricks including Christmas dinner plate spinning, tinsel tight-rope walking, hearthside hula hooping, (fake) snowball juggling and sleigh guide ribbon twirling, plus lots more.

Thereafter, Father Christmas – The Ringmaster himself will then invite each child into his Big Top Band Stand to receive a free gift and have a selfie taken.

Speaking about the launch of Snow Circus, a spokesperson for The Thistles said;“Snow Circus is officially open and offers unmissable free fun for children. With 4 weeks until Christmas we are pulling out the stops to guarantee extra special festive fun this year at The Thistles. We look forward to welcoming families to the centre and invite them to come along and meet Father Christmas and his incredible Big Top performers every day through December until Christmas Eve.”