Family-Friendly Ways to Enjoy the Commonwealth Buzz
If your summer plans involve keeping children entertained without spending every weekend in soft play, Glasgow 2026 might have solved the problem. By Jade Hughes
As the Commonwealth Games return this summer, the city is filling up with events, outdoor spaces and family activities that feel easy to dip into. You don’t need tickets to every sporting event or a packed itinerary. A lot of the appeal is simply being out and enjoying a city that suddenly feels busier, brighter, and full of things to do.
For families in the West End especially, there are plenty of opportunities to make a day of it.
Festivals of Fun
Glasgow Mela returns to Kelvingrove at the start of July and continues the atmosphere with music, dance, food, and cultural celebration. It’s the kind of event that suits families because there’s no pressure to do everything. You can watch a performance, grab lunch, let the children dance for 10 minutes and move on.
Later in the summer, Merchant City Festival brings outdoor theatre, street performance, and family activities to the city centre. If you’ve ever found yourself trying to persuade a toddler through a museum only to end up sitting on a pavement sharing chips, this may feel more realistic. Children can wander, stop, watch, and take things at their own pace.
Glasgow Family Fun Days
For those wanting to soak up some Commonwealth atmosphere without committing to event tickets, live screenings and entertainment in Candleriggs Square offer another easy option. Bring scooters, pack snacks, and settle in for an hour or stay all afternoon if everyone’s happy. It also feels like one of the easiest ways for children to experience some of the excitement of a major sporting event without the logistics that can sometimes come with it. There’s something special about watching alongside other families, catching moments of competition on the big screen, and feeling part of the atmosphere even if you’re not inside the venue.
Across the city, Glasgow Club’s family fun days are also offering another way to get involved over the summer. Expect a mix of sports sessions, activities, and opportunities for children to try something new without the pressure of signing up long term. If your child is happiest when they’re moving rather than sitting still, these kinds of drop-in events can be an easy addition to a summer day out.
Summer Highlights
There’s something refreshing about having so much happening close to home. Family days out don’t always need to mean booking months ahead, driving for hours or spending a fortune. Sometimes the best memories come from smaller moments. And what I like most about summers in Glasgow is that they rarely go exactly to plan. You leave the house for one thing and end up finding three others on the way. Children stop to play, somebody asks for an ice cream at 10am and suddenly the day looks completely different.
Glasgow 2026 feels like it’s going to be one of those summers. And in the West End, we’re well placed to make the most of it.
Whether your plans involve sport, music, a picnic in Kelvingrove or simply getting involved in what’s happening on your doorstep, this feels like a good year to stay local and enjoy it.
Save the Dates: Commonwealth Summer Highlights
Glasgow Mela
Kelvingrove Park
5 July 2026
glasgowlife.org.uk/arts-music-and-culture/glasgow-mela
Merchant City Festival
City Centre
24-26 July & 31 July – 2 August
glasgowlife.org.uk/whats-on/merchant-city-festival
Commonwealth Games Live Screenings
Candleriggs Square
23 July – 2 August
glasgowlife.org.uk/whats-on/merchant-city-festival/candleriggs-square
Glasgow Club Family Fun Days
Various Glasgow locations and dates
glasgowlife.org.uk/summer-of-fun
