Some of the biggest names in music are heading to Stirling this autumn. BBC Radio 2 in the Park, Radio 2's flagship live music weekend, takes over City Park in Stirling from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September 2026. Tens of thousands of visitors will be in town, and City Park sits right below Stirling Castle, which means you are only a short walk from us.
If you are travelling in for the festival, here is how to turn a day of live music into a proper Stirling weekend: a gin or whisky tour, a tasting, or a bottle to take home from one of Scotland's smallest working distilleries.
Radio 2 in the Park 2026: the basics
- Where: City Park, Stirling, right below the castle
- When: Friday 11 September from 4pm, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September from 11am
- Who: a line up of Radio 2's biggest pop and live acts, announced closer to the date
The gates open in the afternoon on the Friday and late morning at the weekend, so there is easily time to start your day with us before the music, or to call in on either side of the show.
We are a short walk from City Park
Stirling Distillery is at the Old Smiddy on Lower Castlehill, at the foot of Stirling Castle in the historic old town. It is an easy walk from City Park, the train station and the main car parks. Full directions are on our how to find us page, and everything you need to plan the day is on plan your visit.
Make a morning or afternoon of it
Come early and make the distillery part of your festival weekend:
- Gin School and gin experiences: get hands on with the botanicals behind Stirling Gin.
- Whisky tastings: sit down with our single casks and the stories behind them.
- Distillery tours and tastings: the full guided experience, from still to glass, from £34.
- Walk in Mini Tastings: gin, whisky or rum for £15, no booking needed, ideal if you are short on time between sets.
Places on the tours and Gin School are limited and festival weekends get busy, so it is worth booking ahead.
Just want a bottle or a gift?
No time for a tasting? Pop into the shop for a bottle of Stirling Gin or one of our Sons of Scotland single cask whiskies to take home, or pick up a gift card for the gin or whisky lover in your life. A bottle from the distillery under the castle is a better souvenir than a festival tote.
Opening hours and planning your visit
We are open Monday to Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sunday 12pm to 5pm. Over the Radio 2 in the Park weekend we would suggest calling in earlier in the day, before the music starts, so you are not rushing. See plan your visit for parking, accessibility and more, or browse things to do in Stirling to fill the rest of your trip.
Enjoy the music, and we will see you by the castle. Slàinte.
