Culture Night Stirling 2026
Carnival of the Wolf
1st May 2026
Your CULTURE NIGHT
An annual event that celebrates Stirling’s thriving culture scene
Taking place across Stirling and the surrounding areas, Culture Night will be celebrating our uniqueness and diversity of culture.
The annual event is for everyone, connecting our communities to cultural activities showcasing music, art, crafts, literature, dance, drama, comedy and more across Stirling.
Culture Night Stirling aims to bring together communities and a range of sectors – arts, heritage, education, hospitality, tourism, health and commercial and corporate enterprise
ABOUT CULTURE NIGHT STIRLING
INTRODUCTION
The official events listings for the Culture Night programme will be available on the Your Stirling site.
Building on the success of the Culture Night at Stirling Castle – a centrepiece of Stirling’s 900th anniversary finale celebrations – the first event will take place on Friday 1 May 2026 and will showcase the best of Stirling’s music, dance, comedy, art, crafts, literature and more. 2026 marks the first in a trilogy of themed annual events under the title “Legends of Stirling”.
Visitor attractions, including museums and galleries will be invited to be part of the night-time cultural takeover, as well as venues, bars and community centres, following examples of similar events held in Ireland, Iceland and the Netherlands.
Culture Night Stirling will be for everyone to enjoy and will bring together communities and organisations from a variety of sectors including the arts, heritage, education, hospitality and tourism.
Bring the whole area alive
Culture Night Stirling will light up spaces across the city and surrounding areas — from historic streets and community halls to rural venues, cultural hubs, and unexpected corners.
The opening event will begin at Stirling Castle around 4pm, before activities unfold across Stirling through the evening.
Events can run from 5pm onwards, connecting communities through shared discovery, sound, taste, and imagination.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
Culture Night Stirling is open to artists, creative groups, community organisations, venues and collectives across the Stirling area.
You can:
Apply for a Community Grant to fund your idea.
Submit an Event Idea if you’re planning something self-funded or looking for a partner.
Find collaborators through the Scene Stirling Creative Directory.
Speak to the Scene Stirling team for informal advice before applying.
The full Culture Night programme will be published in early 2026 via Your Stirling
The Legend Lives On
In the 9th century, as Vikings crept through the night to attack Stirling, a pack of wolves began to howl — rousing the townsfolk and saving the settlement from destruction.
That moment of courage, instinct, and connection has echoed down the centuries, becoming one of Stirling’s oldest legends.
In 2026, the Wolf returns — not as a single story, but as a Carnival of the Wolf: a celebration of creativity, transformation, and togetherness across Stirling and the surrounding area.
YoUR THEME for 2026: Carnival of the wolf
SMALL PROGRAMME FUNDING
For local groups, venues and artists developing events.
There is a small programme grant available for supporting unusual and distinctive locally sourced creative activities and performances on Friday 1st May 2026 across the Stirlingshire area.
SUBMIT YOUR EVENT IDEA
For local groups, venues and artists developing events.
If you don’t need funding or are just seeking a little support with an idea to help it develop and see if it fits the Culture Night Stirling programme please complete a quick enquiry form.
