Thousands of people will soon set a course for the 2024 Kirkintilloch Canal Festival to enjoy the popular celebration of all things nautical and nice.
Saturday (31 August) and Sunday (1 September) will offer a magical mix of family entertainment, fireworks, live music, marvellous activities, amazing attractions, and fabulous food and drink.
There's a flotilla of fun on the way for everyone:
Kirkintilloch Canal Festival weekend of fun
Saturday 31 August – 5-10pm:
- Free concert with live music from HavanaBlonde and The Mini Guns, DJ, compere Greg Summers, musician Greg Friel and, of course, the fantastic fireworks (9.15pm). There will also be funfair rides, delicious food and drink, a bar and cocktails
- External events include the Spirit of Alba Festival in Kirkintilloch Town Hall – a celebration of spirits and craft beverages from around the world – with tickets available for two Saturday sessions (noon-3pm and 4-7pm), and boat trips on the Forth and Clyde Canal on Saturday afternoon (pay on the day). Look out for entertainment too at the newly redeveloped Regent Gardens.
Sunday 1 September – noon-5pm:
- Southbank Marina – live music, free canoeing and archery, funfair, Craft Daft on a Raft, street theatre, roller disco (book via website and on the day), food and drink, boat trips (pay on the day), caricaturist, a BMX demo and climbing wall (pay on the day)
- Auld Kirk Museum Esplanade – jump ‘n’ jive dancers, 1950s DJ, rock ‘n’ roll and face painting (noon-4pm)
- Barleybank – stalls, ice cream and refreshments, and a Teddy Bear Parachute, café and quiet space at St Mary’s Church
- Regent Gardens and Cowgate – classic cars, DJ, Clann An Drumma, the Juggling Gent and Dunbartonshire Concert Band
- Kirkintilloch Baptist Church – Family Fun Zone – with live music, inflatables, toddler fun zone, refreshments, assault course, wrecking ball, laser quest, better bounce, pillow battles, flight simulator, a real Cessna aircraft, face painting and prayer tent
- Kirkintilloch Police Station car park – detective training (“who ate the Gingerbread Man?”), Police Marine Unit, St Andrew’s Ambulance, off-road bikes, quiz/challenges, camera van, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and ‘Outrun an Officer’
- Westermains Bowling Club is inviting new or experienced bowlers of any age to try the sport from noon-5pm.
Councillor Gordan Low, Leader of the Council, said,
A warm welcome awaits everyone at the 2024 Kirkintilloch Canal Festival.
The main weekend – Saturday 31 August and Sunday 1 September – offers a packed programme of entertainment, activities, attractions and live performances.
"The festival regularly attracts thousands of visitors to East Dunbartonshire – providing a range of family fun and boosting the local economy."
Please be aware, there will be parking and road restrictions over the weekend. Free park and ride services are available throughout the Sunday afternoon – to and from Lenzie Station for those arriving by train, and to and from Broomhill Depot (Kilsyth Road, Kirkintilloch) – making it easier for people to park on what will be a very busy day.
Pet owners should also be aware that there will be fireworks on Saturday night at around 9.15pm.
The annual festival is organised by the Council in conjunction with a range of partners. It is being supported by EventScotland’s National Events Funding Programme and resources allocated by the Council from the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund.
For more information, visit the canal festival webpage and visit the canal festival website.
- The festival includes partners such as East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust, Kirkintilloch Baptist Church, the Regent Centre, Police Scotland, New College Lanarkshire – Kirkintilloch Campus, the Forth and Clyde Canal Society, the Seagull Trust, Scottish Canals, Your Kirky and Kirkintilloch Business Improvement District (BID)
- EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events by securing and supporting an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events. It provides funding opportunities and access to resources and information to develop the industry. EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation, alongside Business Events and Development teams. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news, check out the VisitScotland website, follow @EventScotNews on X and follow EventScotland on LinkedIn.
