🎉 Wee Weekender | 29–30 August – Balloons, Bots & Wild West Fun! 🎈🤖🤠

Hello Wee Weekenders! 👋

The last weekend of August is bringing big skies, big characters and plenty of places to burn off some end-of-summer energy.

You could be watching hot air balloons rise over Strathaven, meeting Optimus Prime at M&D’s, or heading to the Wild Wild East for a bucking bronco and a mini zoo.

A lot to fit in, but a very good problem to have.

Here’s what’s on 👇

🎈 Strathaven Balloon Festival

Get the alarms set for a balloon launch, or head along later for the family fun day. There’ll be live music, a funfair, stalls, classic vehicles and skydivers, with the Saturday evening glow set to be a proper lovely sight. Balloon activities are weather permitting, so keep an eye on updates before you go.

📍 Strathaven Park, Strathaven
⏰ 28th–30th August, times vary
💷 Free
👉 More info

🤖 Transformers Takeover at Scotland’s Theme Park

Optimus Prime and Bumblebee are rolling into M&D’s for meet and greets all weekend. Bring along your Transformers fans for a photo, then make a full day of it with rides, bowling, soft play or a wander around nearby Strathclyde Country Park.

📍 M&Ds Scotlands Theme Park, Motherwell
⏰ Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August, meet and greets at 1pm, 2pm, 4pm & 5pm
💷 Free (rides extra)
👉 More info

🎉 Ashton Lane Street Party

Ashton Lane + street food + face-painting potential = a very easy weekend win. The lane will be packed with acoustic sets, DJs, pop-up performances and plenty of food options for even the pickiest member of your crew.

📍 Ashton Lane, Glasgow West End
⏰ Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August, midday–late
💷 Free
👉 More info

🏒 Glasgow Clan vs HC Kyiv Capitals

Fancy a night of proper live sport? The Clan are taking on HC Kyiv Capitals in a pre-season hockey match, with all the noise, speed and brilliant arena atmosphere that comes with it. Great for older kids who’ll enjoy cheering along from the stands.

📍 Braehead Arena, Renfrew
⏰ Saturday 29th August, doors 5:30pm / face-off 7pm
💷 From £10pp
👉 More info

🤼 Victory Royale - Live Pro Wrestling

Friday night plans, sorted. This all-ages wrestling show brings a 20-person over-the-top-rope rumble to Edmiston House, alongside championship matches and plenty of high-flying action. Expect big entrances, loud cheers and a few dramatic tumbles.

📍 Edmiston House, Glasgow South Side
⏰ Friday 28th August, 6pm
💷 See website
👉 More info

🏰 Crookston Castle Fun Day

Glasgow’s only surviving medieval castle is getting the full family fun day treatment. There’ll be re-enactments, vintage vehicles, face painting, storytelling and Knight School, where wee ones can take on challenges fit for a future castle defender.

📍 Crookston Castle, Glasgow South Side
⏰ Saturday 29th August, midday–3pm
💷 Free
👉 More info

🚓 Lanarkshire Police Open Day

Kids can get up close to emergency vehicles, explore stalls and even take a walk through the police station cells. It’s a fascinating day out for anyone who waves at every police car, ambulance or fire engine they spot.

📍 Motherwell Police Station, Motherwell
⏰ Saturday 29th August, 11am–4pm
💷 Free (booking required)
👉 More info

🎤 My First Concert

Bring your singing voices for this musical adventure with Jack, Jill, Dilly the dog and some very special guests, including Baby Shark and Pinkfong. Kids are encouraged to clap, dance and join in, so nobody needs to worry about them sitting quietly for an hour.

📍 The Town House Hamilton, Hamilton
⏰ Saturday 29th August, 2:30pm
💷 £22 adults / £16 children / £68 family / babes in arms free
👉 More info

🎪 SJK Performing Arts Autumn Fair

Bouncy castles, home baking, glitter tattoos and mascot visits should keep everyone happy at this fundraising fair. Every donation helps SJK’s young performers on their journey to Broadway in 2027, so you can enjoy a tombola ticket knowing it’s for a brilliant cause.

📍 St Nicholas Church of Scotland, Lanark
⏰ Sunday 30th August, 1:45pm–4:45pm
💷 Donation on entry
👉 More info

🤠 The Forge Markets Wild Wild East

Dust off those cowboy hats! This Wild West family day has a bucking bronco, Helter Skelter, mini zoo, fire engine, Toy Story mascots, crafts and live music, all raising funds for Shining Stars ASN Theatre School. Some activities have a small charge, but there’s more than enough to fill a Sunday afternoon.

📍 Forge Market, Glasgow East End
⏰ Sunday 30th August, midday–4pm
💷 Free
👉 More info

That’s your end-of-August weekend sorted, Wee Weekenders! 🎈

From balloon launches to cowboy chaos, it’s a cracking chance to squeeze in one more big summer adventure before September takes over.

Catch you next week,

Wee Weekender 💛