🎉 Wee Weekender | 18–19 July – Ogres, Discos & Rude Science! 🧅💃🔬

Hello Wee Weekenders! 👋

Summer in Glasgow is in full swing, and this weekend has proper range — we're talking Shrek on stage, a disco in a courtyard, and a science show that promises pee-powered fireworks (yes, really).

Whether your crew are into pipe bands, cosplay, or watching pigs outsmart a big bad wolf, there's loads to pick from.

Here's what's on 👇

🧅 ATG Inspire presents Shrek the Musical Jr.

Beauty is in the eye of the ogre! This joyful stage version of the DreamWorks favourite brings Shrek, Donkey and Fiona to the Theatre Royal, with young performers taking on the swamp-based chaos. A brilliant first-theatre trip for kids who know every word already.

📍 Theatre Royal Glasgow, Glasgow City Centre
⏰ Friday 17 July 7pm / Saturday 18 July 3pm
💷 See website
👉 More info

💻 Code Cadets Summer Camp

If your kid would happily spend all summer building games, this one's for them. A week of Scratch, Python, Roblox-style coding and AI projects, with proper tutors and a friendly vibe. Friday's the last day of this week's camp.

📍 Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow West End
⏰ Friday 17 July, 10am–3pm
💷 £180 (+VAT)
👉 More info

🌍 GAMSCA Cultural Festival

Three days of music, dance, food stalls and family fun celebrating Gambian culture and Glasgow's brilliantly diverse community. Free to wander in, easy to make a full afternoon of it, and a lovely way to try something new with the kids.

📍 Springburn Park, Glasgow North
⏰ Fri 17 – Sun 19 July, midday–7pm
💷 Free
👉 More info

🏅 Glasgow 2026 Festival

The big cultural build-up to the Games is well underway, with performances, installations and community events popping up across the city all summer. Worth a scan of the programme to see what's on near you this weekend.

📍 Various venues across Glasgow
⏰ Fri 17 – Sun 19 July (and beyond)
💷 See website
👉 More info

🎭 Partick Summer Arts Academy

A week of drama, circus, music and art for kids aged 6–12 — and it's completely free if you're in Partick or Kelvindale. Friday wraps up the week, so a great chance for a taster if you've been eyeing it up.

📍 Partick Burgh Hall, Glasgow West End
⏰ Friday 17 July, 11am–3pm
💷 Free for young people aged 6–12 in Partick or Kelvindale
👉 More info

🎶 Renfrew Pipe Band Competition

Pipe bands from all over Scotland descend on Robertson Park for a proper day of music, funfair rides and food stalls. The massed-bands March Past at the end is the goosebumps moment — a lovely free day out.

📍 Robertson Park, Renfrew
⏰ Friday 17 July, midday–5pm
💷 Free
👉 More info

🐷 The Three Little Pigs

Stagecraft Entertainment are back with a fresh spin on a classic. Expect daft laughs, a wicked wolf, and plenty of chances for the kids to shout back at the stage. Perfect for all ages.

📍 Valley View at Gouldings, Rosebank
⏰ Fri 17 – Sun 19 July, 11am & 1pm
💷 See website
👉 More info

💃 Big Feed's Secret Disco

Big Feed take over the courtyard at House for an Art Lover with disco tunes, Firedog and Smoked Tamago street food, and free facepainting for the wee ones. A bit older/bolder as far as family days go, but if your kids love a boogie and a hotdog, it's a winner.

📍 House for an Art Lover, Glasgow South Side
⏰ Saturday 18 July, midday–8pm
💷 £22.38
👉 More info

🚜 Biggar Agricultural Show

A proper country day out — livestock, highland dancing, a dog show, food fair, funfair and loads for the kids. Adults £10, kids go free, and there's a free courtesy bus from Biggar High Street from 10am.

📍 Biggar Showfield
⏰ Saturday 18 July, from 8am
💷 £10 adults / £5 concession / children free
👉 More info

🦸 Loch Lomond Comic Con

Superheroes, cosplay, comics and collectibles — all with Loch Lomond as the backdrop. Free to wander in, dog-friendly, and easy to combine with a mooch round the Shores and an ice cream. Costumes very much encouraged.

📍 Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch
⏰ Sat 18 – Sun 19 July, 10am–4pm
💷 Free
👉 More info

🔬 Rude Science

BBC Gastronaut Stefan Gates brings his gloriously gross science show to Paisley for the first time. Snot cocktails, giant whoopee cushions, pee-powered fireworks — sneaky learning wrapped in loads of "eeeew!". Your kids will talk about it for weeks.

📍 Paisley Town Hall, Paisley
⏰ Sat 18 – Sun 19 July, 11.30am & 3pm
💷 See website
👉 More info

🎂 The Birthday Weekend at Glasgow Science Centre

Glasgow Science Centre is throwing itself a proper party — LEGO models, balloon twisters, facepainting, the Pure Random Science Show, hands-on workshops and cake. Plus all 300+ regular exhibits to keep everyone busy.

📍 Glasgow Science Centre, Glasgow South Side
⏰ Sat 18 – Sun 19 July, 10am–5pm
💷 £13.57 adults / £10.49 children / £12.07 concession
👉 More info

That's your weekend sorted, Wee Weekenders! 🎉

From ogres and pipe bands to snot cocktails and superheroes, this one really does have something for everyone. Whatever you land on, we hope it involves sunshine, ice cream, and slightly muddy shoes by bedtime.

Catch you next week,
Wee Weekender 💛