Excitement is rising for the 2023 Kirkintilloch Canal Festival, with a range of fun for all the family on the horizon.
Kirkintilloch Canal Festival – organised by East Dunbartonshire Council and partners – will take place on Saturday 26 August, from 5pm to 10pm at Southbank Marina, and on Sunday 27 August, from noon to 5pm at the Marina, Cowgate, Townhead and Barleybank. There will also be activities in the week leading up to the festival.
Kirkintilloch Baptist Church will be hosting a free Family Fun Zone at its Townhead premises and car park on the Sunday Funday (noon-5pm), including:
- Inflatables area for primary school-age children
- Inflatable laser quest for secondary school-age children
- Music stage
- Toddler and Teen Zones
- Inflatable pillow fighting
- Gaming screen
- Face painting
- Crafts
- Cream teas in the café
- Free tea, coffee and tray bakes outdoors.
There will also be a prayer tent, foodbank and Christians Against Poverty information station.
Everything is free, apart from a requested donation for the cream teas.
The Rev. Mark Fyfe, Minister of Kirkintilloch Baptist Church, said, "We are delighted to be serving our community and working with the Council again to offer free fun for all the family on the Sunday Funday.
"The church counts it a real privilege to help in our community in a variety of ways. This is only possible thanks to our wonderful volunteers and staff team. We look forward to seeing you all."
There's a strong emphasis on free activities and attractions at Kirkintilloch Canal Festival, including:
- A free Saturday evening concert and fireworks (from 7pm on 26 August)
- Sunday Funday – with classic cars, canoeing, archery, live music, street theatre, magician and more. There will also be market stalls offering a range of information, as well as goods for sale.
We're proud to work with a range of partners to deliver the canal festival – including Kirkintilloch Baptist Church. Well done to all involved for their continued enthusiasm and commitment.
He added,"We know that many families are facing severe financial challenges at this time so it's important we provide as much free entertainment as possible. Keep an eye out for more updates as we get closer to the canal festival."
There will also be free and paid-for boat trips – more details to follow soon.
In addition to the church, the Council is working with partners such as the Regent Centre, Police Scotland, New College Lanarkshire, the Forth and Clyde Canal Society, the Seagull Trust, Scottish Canals, East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust, Your Kirky and local traders.
Paid-for attractions include a funfair on both the Saturday and Sunday, the Spirit of Alba Festival at Kirkintilloch Town Hall on the Saturday and a roller disco on the Sunday.
Visit our Canal Festival webpage and visit the Canal Festival website for more information and follow the Council on social media for the latest updates.
