🎉 Wee Weekender | 1–2 August 2026 – Commonwealth Buzz, Bubbles & Bonkers Tea Parties! 🎪🫧☕

Hello Wee Weekenders! 👋

Glasgow's absolutely humming this weekend with the Commonwealth Games in full swing, and the city has pulled out all the stops for families.

We've got a free community festival in Victoria Park, a proper big-top circus in Kirkintilloch, and even the Amazing Bubble Man himself popping up in Cumbernauld.

Add in an Alice-inspired tea party and a canal-side treasure hunt, and you've got a weekend worth clearing the calendar for.

Here's what's on 👇

🎪 Commonwealth Community Festival

A brilliant free day out in Victoria Park with sport, music and culture all rolled into one. Kids can try everything from Rugby Tots to table tennis to adaptive cycling, while the stage serves up Scottish Opera, a Rock Choir, a steel band and even a ceilidh. Bonus: Fossil Grove is open too, so you can squeeze in a proper Glasgow curiosity on your way through.

📍 Victoria Park, Glasgow West End
⏰ Saturday 1 August, 12pm–5pm
💷 Free (some activities need booking)
👉 More info

🎪 Zippos Circus at Woodhead Park

The UK's favourite family circus is pitching up in Kirkintilloch with a proper international line-up. Expect edge-of-your-seat acrobatics, cloud-swing thrills from France and belly laughs courtesy of Italy's Mr Lorenz. A guaranteed wide-eyed evening for the whole clan.

📍 Woodhead Park, Kirkintilloch
⏰ Friday 31 July – Sunday 2 August (see website for times)
💷 See website
👉 More info

🌳 Junior Ranger Day Camp

Got an 8–12 year old with endless energy? Drop them off at Mugdock for five hours of woodland adventure — dam building, den making, and clambering over fallen trees with the Ranger Service. No parents needed, which means five whole hours to yourself. You're welcome.

📍 Mugdock Country Park, Milngavie
⏰ Friday 31 July, 10am–3pm
💷 £44.04
👉 More info

☕ Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Down the rabbit hole you go! This Alice-inspired afternoon tea in Paisley comes with themed décor, a 360° photo booth and proper Wonderland treats. Great if you fancy something a bit different for a birthday or just a special day out with the wee ones.

📍 Browns Lane, Paisley
⏰ Friday 31 July, 1pm–2.30pm
💷 £25 adults / £12 children
👉 More info

🏅 Glasgow 2026 Festival

The whole city is one big celebration right now. Outdoor performances, art installations, community events and family-friendly happenings are popping up all over Glasgow to mark the Games. Pick a corner of the city, head out, and see what you stumble across.

📍 Venues across Glasgow
⏰ Friday 31 July – Sunday 2 August (see website for details)
💷 See website
👉 More info

🫧 The Amazing Bubble Man

Louis Pearl has been wowing crowds with bubbles for over 30 years, and he's a proper Edinburgh Fringe favourite. Expect square bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, bubble tornadoes and — the big finale — people inside bubbles. Pure jaw-dropping magic for all ages.

📍 Lanternhouse, Cumbernauld
⏰ Friday 31 July, 11.30am & 2pm
💷 See website
👉 More info

🌳 Family History Open Day

A lovely wee free session at the Mitchell for anyone with a mystery ancestor or two. Staff and fellow family historians are on hand to help you dig into your family tree, and there are fun activities to keep the kids busy while you sleuth. Just drop in, no booking needed.

📍 The Mitchell Library, Glasgow City Centre
⏰ Saturday 1 August, 2pm
💷 Free
👉 More info

🚴 Canal Quest: Commonwealth Challenge

A relaxed family adventure along the canal, on foot or by bike, from Pinkston Watersports to Stockingfield Bridge. Collect tokens along the way, swap them for rewards, and enjoy sports, arts, live music and street food en route. A brilliant way to explore Glasgow's blue-and-green spaces.

📍 Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow North
⏰ Saturday 1 August, from 10am
💷 Free
👉 More info

🔬 Adventures in Science

The Magical Mr West brings his curious contraptions and cartoon sidekick Crowbert to the Beacon for an afternoon of scientific silliness. Loads of skills, laughs and sneaky learning wrapped up in one very entertaining hour. Perfect for curious kids.

📍 Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock
⏰ Sunday 2 August, 2pm
💷 See website
👉 More info

That's your weekend sorted, Wee Weekenders! 🎉

With the Commonwealth Games buzz taking over the city, there's honestly never been a better weekend to get out and soak up the atmosphere.

Whether you're chasing bubbles, cheering on athletes, or sipping tea with the Mad Hatter, we hope it's a good one.

Catch you next week,
Wee Weekender 💛