Families looking for something to do over the September Bank Holiday weekend don’t need to venture far from the city as there is a whole host of fun events to be explored in and around Glasgow.

Spend the day on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond Shores as Balloch hosts Bakefest (September 26-27). 

Visitors can enjoy baking demonstrations, workshops, masterclasses, street food and an artisan market from 10am-5pm. Browse a vibrant festival marketplace filled with cakes, pastries, breads, brownies and handmade desserts, alongside live baking demonstrations, workshops and plenty of inspiration for anyone who loves great baking.

Whether you’re a keen home baker, a devoted Great British Bake Off fan, or simply someone who enjoys exceptional food, this is one festival you won’t want to miss.

September Weekend fun for families in and around Glasgow

September Bank Holiday Market will also be running over two days at the Lomond Shores from Sunday, 27th September till Monday, 28th September from 10am–4pm.
 
Enjoy a fantastic selection from regular market favourites alongside guest traders, with artisan gifts, handmade crafts, local produce, delicious food, sweet treats and street food to browse and enjoy. With two full days of market shopping, it’s the perfect excuse to make the most of the long weekend and enjoy a day out at Loch Lomond.
 
Ever wished you could have your very own superhero/heroine? Well, now you can as Nik and Sarah of Noisy Oyster help adults and children make a super finger-puppet and have great fun racing over the obstacle course at the Superheroes and Heroines Workshop in Glasgow’s Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre on September 26 from 10am-12pm.
 
At the end you can take your puppet home with you to continue the fun. All materials/ instruction provided. 5+. Adults, learn some craft skills for future rainy days. Adults are required to book a ticket if accompanying their child into the workshop, children of 7+ can be unaccompanied. The centre is located at 8-10 Balcarres Ave, Glasgow G12 0QF.

Come and play drama games with The Improv Cooperative at Merry-Go-Round Glasgow near to Queen Street Station. Bring your kids, no matter how young or old and no experience is necessary.

At Family Drama play all the games you remember from primary school drama class - Freeze, World’s Worst, and that one with the alphabet, and it’s all completely free. Children must be accompanied by an adult who will also be participating. An adult may accompany up to two children.

Get ready to rustle amongst the autumn leaves in Victoria Park Wildlife Watch: Wild Maths and Autumn Crafts free September session. Explore the trees in the park through shape and texture and get busy crafting with fallen leaves, conkers and more.

Run by Scottish Wildlife Trust volunteers, the group is for children aged five to 10 years old and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Running on the fouth Sunday of the month, kids get hands on with nature in Glasgow’s Victoria Park through lots of fun, nature-themed activities. Meet at 10.30am with sessions lasting 90 minutes, finishing at 12pm.

With limited capacity booking is essential - one ticket per child. Children will be outdoors during the full session so check the weather and dress appropriately.

The Falkirk Wheel is celebrating 25 years of the Millennium Link project with an unforgettable evening of light, colour and discovery on Saturday, September 26 at 6.30pm.

Watch as the wheel comes alive after sunset, embark on hidden treks throughout the grounds, uncover immersive light installations and enjoy a captivating water and lights show that brings the iconic landscape to life. Perfect for families, friends, date nights and adventurers of all ages, Illumin8 is a unique after-dark experience guaranteeing awe and exploration of the wheel like never before.

Walk around the site after dusk and discover hidden routes, stop off and enjoy some hot food and sweet treats by the fire, hop to our noughties themed silent disco and enjoy the show. As night falls, the basin of the Falkirk Wheel will be transformed into a stage of water, light and laser effects, bringing the iconic setting to life in a captivating and immersive spectacle. Complementing the show, an enhanced walking trail will guide visitors through the landscape with dynamic lighting.

The Visitor Centre will be transformed into an immersive disco destination, complete with sparkling disco balls, atmospheric fog effects and a vibrant party atmosphere that transports guests straight back to the golden age of 2000s music. There’s also additional activities for all ages including glow in the dark mini golf and guided e-boat tours.

Bring the whole family along to Golf It! on Saturday, September 26 for a feel-good day filled with delicious food, family fun and fabulous entertainment. 

As well as Scotland’s best street-food trucks there will be free face painting, free Meet and Greet with Moana & Ariel, free family indoor movies, indoor heated seating, a marquee beer garden, cocktail and mocktails, beer bar, pool tables, crazy golf, Hogganfield Loch, bike hire and driving range.

Food lovers are in for a treat, with everything from log-fired pizza, crispy fried chicken and birria tacos to bao buns, BBQ, Thai fusion burgers and irresistible cakes.

Enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with plenty to keep little ones entertained, while grown-ups can browse beautiful handmade crafts, enjoy live music and sip on cocktails or refreshing mocktails.

Springburn Unity Network bring back their free Festival of Colours on Saturday, September 26 from 11am-3pm.

A celebration of unity, joy and culture, this unique festival brings together the vibrant Holi Festival and Thailand’s Songkran Festival, combining two beautiful cultural celebrations into one big, colourful day in Springburn. Everyone is encouraged to wear a white T-shirt so you can enjoy all the colours, water balloons and messy fun to the fullest.

This event will take place mainly outdoors so bring layers to warm up afterwards. The event will involve music, games, space to dance and colourful powders that will be thrown around and onto each other. A pop-up cafe will sell refreshments and cakes for a small fee.

Guaranteed fun and laughter awaits at Mugdock Country Park on Sunday, 27th September with Gary Dunn and his cheeky sidekick Chico The Monkey. A fun magic show for ages four to 104, with lots of giggles, gasps and good magic too. With his trusty sidekick Chico the Monkey, Gary performs silly tricks with bananas, bottles of pop and much more. Shows run from 10.30-11.15am or midday till 12.45pm.