Look ahead to the Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday 31 August 2024!
Prepare for take-off! Kirkintilloch Canal Festival shaping up to be a soaraway success
All aboard! Tickets on sale for Kirkintilloch Canal Festival boat trips
Dates and compasses set for the 2024 Kirkintilloch Canal Festival
Look ahead to the Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday 31 August 2024!
This year's Kirkintilloch Canal Festival will include a fabulous fireworks display, with music from Greg Friel. The musician recently visited Southbank Marina to provide a preview.
The Saturday evening (31 August 2024, 5-10pm) will include a free live music concert, DJ and spectacular fireworks at Southbank Marina, Kirkintilloch. More news coming soon.
The Sunday Funday (1 September) will offer a range of activities, entertainment and performances. See below for more info.
Prepare for take-off! Kirkintilloch Canal Festival shaping up to be a soaraway success
From canoeing and classic cars to a flight simulator and a real aircraft – get ready for a Sunday Funday to remember at this year's Kirkintilloch Canal Festival.
East Dunbartonshire Council is working with a range of partners, including Kirkintilloch Baptist Church and Police Scotland, on the 2024 programme.
The Saturday evening (31 August, 5-10pm) will include a free live music conc
ert, DJ and spectacular fireworks at Southbank Marina, Kirkintilloch. More news coming soon.
So far the Sunday Funday (1 September, noon-5pm) – will include:
Southbank Marina:
Free activities such as canoeing and archery, with street theatre, and live music and performances on stage – including East Dunbartonshire’s remarkable Rock Choir.
There will also be a paid-for funfair, climbing wall and roller disco – so prepare to get your skates on! In addition, there will be a hot food court, a chance to relax with a cocktail and a bar.
Kirkintilloch Baptist Church (Shamrock Street car park – next to Sainsbury’s):
Free fun includes a flight simulator and – for the first time ever – a real Cessna 150 aircraft, face painting, laser quest, assault course, inflatables, pillow battles, wrecking ball, bouncy fun, live stage, and a toddler fun zone and crafts.
There will also be cream teas in the Greenhouse Café (donation required), tea, coffee, tray bakes and a prayer tent.
Cowgate and Barleybank:
Classic cars, farmers’ market, a wide range of craft stalls, and food and drink for sale.
Regent Gardens:
Check out the newly-transformed Regent Gardens while enjoying performances by Scottish tribal band Clann An Drumma, Dunbartonshire Concert Band and the Juggling Gent.
Kirkintilloch Police Station grounds (Southbank Drive):
Detective training (who ate the Gingerbread Man?), outrun an officer speed check challenge, beat the goalie, off-road bikes, virtual reality headsets, quiz/challenges and more. As well as local officers, you can also meet staff and see vehicles from the Marine Unit, Scottish Fire and Rescue, St Andrew's First Aid and partner agencies.
Ann Davie, Chief Executive of East Dunbartonshire Council, said, “We’re hard at work creating another great line-up for the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival, in conjunction with a range of partner organisations in the public and private sectors. Our focus is on providing as many free activities as possible – including opportunities for people of all ages to get active.
“Look out for more updates in the coming weeks – follow us on social media for the latest information.”
External events include Spirit of Alba’s Whisky and Gin Festival in Kirkintilloch Town Hall – a celebration of spirits and craft beverages from around the world – with tickets available in advance for two Saturday sessions (noon-3pm and 4-7pm), and boat trips on the Forth and Clyde Canal both Saturday and Sunday (pay on the day).
In addition, boat trips are being organised to whet the appetite ahead of the main Kirkintilloch Canal Festival weekend:
- Sail and Stories – Monday 26 August – 11am and 1pm
- Bubbles and Breakfast Cruise – Wednesday 28 August – 11am-1pm
- Fish Tea on the Canal – Thursday 29 August – 5-7pm
- Spirit Of Alba Whisky Tasting Session – Friday 30 August – 7-9pm.
For more information, visit the Council's Canal Festival webpage (link opens in new window) and the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival website (external link opens in new window).
- 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.
- Funding has been sourced from Event Scotland to promote inclusivity and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
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All aboard! Tickets on sale for Kirkintilloch Canal Festival boat trips
Ahoy shipmates - boat trips are being held to whet the appetite ahead of this year's Kirkintilloch Canal Festival main weekend - with fabulous tales, fish & chips, whisky tasting and bubbles & breakfast on the menu.
You can enjoy a cruise on the Forth and Clyde as part of themed events (advance booking required for all):
- Sail and Stories
Monday 26 August – 11am and 1pm
Get ready for a journey through myth, magic and marvellous fun in the company of storyteller Allison Galbraith. Tickets cost £6 per adult, £4 per child (up to the age of 10). Suitable for pre-school children.
- Bubbles and Breakfast Cruise
Wednesday 28 August – 11am-1pm
The perfect chance to take time out and take in the sights along the Forth and Clyde Canal – enjoying breakfast and a glass of your choice. What that is, will be entirely up to you, as it’s a bring-your-own-bottle event. Tickets cost £12 per person, with breakfast included.
- Fish Tea on the Canal
Thursday 29 August – 5-7pm
Savour the sights from the boat while you savour of the delights of a traditional fish tea from Ghiloni’s Cafe. Tickets cost £17 for adults and £7 for children (up to age 10).
- Spirit Of Alba Whisky Tasting Session
Friday 30 August – 7-9pm
Spirit of Alba is back on board to take you on a whisky-tasting voyage – combining a leisurely cruise and some of the finest examples of Scotland's national tipple. Tickets cost £25 per adult.
To book tickets for any of the trips, visit Kirkintilloch Community Hub, 2-4 West High Street, Kirkintilloch, G66 1AD, or call 0300 123 4510. Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 1pm to 4pm.
Please note, payment can only be made via Kirkintilloch Community Hub and must be made in advance.
The boats will depart from Southbank Marina – heading towards Bishopbriggs – and then return.
The trips are being organised by East Dunbartonshire Council – in conjunction with the Forth & Clyde Canal Society – as part of this year's Kirkintilloch Canal Festival, which culminates in a wonderful weekend of fun for all the family on Saturday 31 August (5-10pm) and Sunday 1 September (noon-5pm).
The Council is working with a range of partners to compile a packed programme – which will include a free live concert, fireworks, performances, activities and more.
Ann Davie, Chief Executive of East Dunbartonshire Council, said, "Tickets are on sale now for boat trips leading up to the main weekend of the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival.
“The annual celebration is a popular fixture in the local calendar – bringing together people from all over East Dunbartonshire and beyond, while helping to boost the local economy. Look out for more news coming soon."
For the latest updates, follow the Council on social media and visit the Council's Canal Festival webpage (link opens in new window) and the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival website (external link opens in new window).
Dates and compasses set for the 2024 Kirkintilloch Canal Festival
Set your compass for East Dunbartonshire – the dates have been confirmed for the 2024 Kirkintilloch Canal Festival!
This year, the main weekend of activities will take place on Saturday 31 Augu
st and Sunday 1 September – with a range of boat trips during the week leading up.
East Dunbartonshire Council is once again organising the festival – which is being fully externally funded – in conjunction with a flotilla of public and private sector partners.
The annual celebration of all things nautical and nice regularly attracts thousands of people of all ages, provides a treasure chest of family fun and boosts the local economy.
Details are still being finalised, but already there are plans for live music, fireworks, food and drink, activities and boat trips. Keep your eyes on the horizon for updates.
This year the festival is being supported by resources allocated by the Council from the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund.
Councillor Gordan Low, Leader of the Council, said, "The Kirkintilloch Canal Festival is popular with people throughout East Dunbartonshire and beyond, so I'm pleased we have been able to confirm that external funding has been secured for this year's celebration.
"Once again the focus will be on providing as many free activities as possible – including canoeing, classic cars, the Saturday evening concert with live music and fireworks, and more.
"The festival will take place at Southbank Marina and various locations around the town – including the redeveloped Regent Gardens – giving residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the area and attractions, while supporting local businesses."
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.
Look out more info soon and check out the video for highlights from the 2023 event.