GET the festive season off to a sparkling start with a weekend of song, music and celebration.

Callander Winterfest 2017 includes a whole host of events, organised by a variety of local groups and individual volunteers.

Art and craft installations in Ancaster Square over the weekend are the work of Lynne Schroder from Creative in Callander, Callander Meet and Make and U3A Knit and Natter Group.

The Winterfest takes place across the first weekend in December.

Tickets will be available at Applejack’s in Ancaster Square, McLaren Leisure and Callander Hostel or call 01877 330996 for details.

Full information and updates on Facebook search @CallanderSummerfest.

Events:

Friday, December 1

Callander Amateur Operatic Society and Callander Kirk Junior Choir present A Musical Winter Warmer, 7.30pm, McLaren High School.

Songs for Christmas from the best musical theatre.

Bar and soft drinks available 7.30-9.30pm and raffle.

Tickets £5 adult £3 child.

Saturday, December 2

Santa’s Grotto 12-5pm, St Kessog’s, £2 per child.

Callander Brass 3pm, Ancaster Square.

Santa’s fancy dress parade: Follow Santa and his elves in the parade starting from Myrtle Inn at 3.15pm, arriving in Ancaster Square for fancy dress judging 3.45pm.

Christmas tree lights switch-on with Audrey Corrieri, Citizen of the Year 2016, 4pm, Ancaster Square.

Family disco dance the evening away with music, food and festive fun for all the family.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Callander Hostel, 5-8pm, free of charge but please pick up tickets in advance.

Sunday, December 3

Community breakfast and elves craft workshop drop in for breakfast with friends and family between 9am and 12noon, McLaren Leisure Centre.

Raffle tickets on sale and being drawn throughout the morning (proceeds to future Winterfests and Christmas lights). Tickets £3 adult £2 child.

Santa’s Grotto 12-5pm, St Kessog’s, £2 per child.

Rise of the Guardians (PG), 2pm, St Kessog’s, £3 adult £2 child.

Partridge in a Pear Tree Youth Carol Service with Callander’s youth organisations. 7.30pm, Callander Kirk.

A time for everyone to enjoy songs and readings from the young people and to sing many favourite Christmas Carols.

Refreshments will be served in the Kirk Hall after the service.

Winterfest 2017 is funded by the Co-op, Callander Community Hydro Fund, Stirling Council, donations and business sponsors.

It is organised by local organisations, businesses and individual volunteers, including Callander Community Development Trust, Callander Enterprise, Callander Youth Project, McLaren Leisure, Callander & West Perthshire Round Table, Applejack’s, Deli Ecosse, Callander Film Society. Cambusmore Estate, Callander Fire & Recue and Clanranald Trust.