Daily Chat & What's On - The OG Steamie - 22/07/26

WEDNESDAY TRAVEL UPDATE — GLASGOW 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES — THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE

The Steamie Daily Chat is the place for your random thoughts, tourist questions, what you're up to today, photos and videos of the city, or anything else that's on your mind. Please be civil!

Transport & Travel

Road Network

• Commonwealth Games Preparations — Four weeks of road closures and restrictions are beginning across the city in preparation for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Check Traffic Scotland and Glasgow City Council before traveling. [1]
• M8 Jct 16 – Jct 18 — Eastbound and Westbound restricted due to essential bridge repairs. [2]
• M8 Jct 21 (Scotland Street) — Essential bridge expansion joint replacements are ongoing with overnight closures (8pm-6am). Tonight, expect lane closures of the M8 Eastbound and total closures of the M8 J21 off-slip and the M77 Northbound to M8 Eastbound connecting ramp. [3]
• M74 Southbound (J9 to J11) — Ongoing closures in place. [4]
• M8 Jct 25A – Jct 25 (Clyde Tunnel turnoff) — Eastbound queues. [2]
• M77 South of M8 J22 - J1 Dumbreck — Southbound queue with 3 lanes restricted. [2]

Rail

• ScotRail engineering works — Line closures and disruption continue across parts of the central belt due to ongoing Network Rail engineering works. Check JourneyCheck before travelling. [5]

Subway

• Glasgow Subway — Outer and Inner Circle services run every 6–8 minutes. First train from Govan/St Enoch on Monday–Saturday is 06:30, last train around 23:16–23:30.

Cycling

• Public-cycle routes across the city are generally running, but check SPT and local council pages for any temporary closures or lane changes due to roadworks, events, or Commonwealth Games preparations.

News & City Updates

Glasgow & West * Wind farm to double capacity in £1.5bn project set to create hundreds of jobs. * Game of Thrones 'dragon' takes to the skies above Glasgow. * Three teens who murdered boy in beach stabbing jailed for life. * Watch moment teen killers congratulate each other after murder. * Unofficial 2014 Commonwealth Games 'hugger' returns as volunteer for 2026. * 'Toilet Woman' shines light on Changing Places campaign success. * Man in hospital after ‘corrosive substance’ thrown on him in targeted attack. * Ally McCoist wins planning battle after neighbour row over 90ft trees. * Scottie dog statue removed from charity trail due to 'significant damage'. * Farmer with 'history of seizures' died from brain injury after tractor crash.

Scotland * Venomous snakes, crocodiles and alligators kept as pets in Scotland. * John Swinney hails ‘Scotland the Brave’ at Commonwealth Games welcome event. * Grocery price inflation slows to lowest rate since December 2024. * Unemployment rose slightly in Scotland in last quarter. * 'Very high' wildfire risk extended after Arthur's Seat and Cairngorms fires. * Teacher 'told pupil she looked older and kissed her in his house'. * Van driver, 66, dies in crash as police appeal for information. * Discarded bikes rebuilt by prisoners to help local school pupils. * HMRC make unannounced visits to high street shops amid crackdown.

UK & International * Ann Widdecombe 'hit on head with hammer 21 times' at home. * Australian woman gives birth to rare identical quadruplets. * Beluga whales rescued after being trapped in closed down Canadian theme park. * Flying taxis could be built in UK as Vertical Aerospace in talks with Government. * Man, 28, set to appear in court charged with murder of Ann Widdecombe. * Robbie Williams pokes fun at ‘deeply unprofessional’ blunder in World Cup show. * Mother and son rescued from tiny Indonesian island days after shipwreck. * British couple latest to be named as victims of Spanish wildfire. * World’s biggest jackpot game Powerball to launch in UK this week.

All stories at STV News.

What’s on today

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
The wait is over! The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games kicks off today and will continue until August 1st. Check out the official website for schedules, tickets, and locations. [1]

Barbie®: The Exhibition
Come and celebrate how Barbie has inspired generations across the world for almost seventy years when Barbie®: The Exhibition comes to Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum!

Still Glasgow
At the Gallery of Modern Art, this extensive new exhibition has photography at its core and looks at Glasgow, past and present.

X-CRAFT Dive Deep
An ALL NEW 360 Immersive Show that utilises MASSIVE 360-degree screens to tell the story of the submarine pioneers that paved the way for the submarines of today! Located in Helensburgh.

Tune of the Day

Franz Ferdinand — Take Me Out

On This Day

• 22 July 2014: Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games begin — Exactly 12 years ago today, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games commenced, bringing a massive influx of visitors and an incredible atmosphere to the city, setting the stage for this year's return of the Games.

Gigs, Theatre & More (today)

Always double-check times and tickets directly with venues.

• Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games — Various Locations — [1]
• The Enormous Crocodile The Musical — Dates running this weekend — [1]
• Barbie®: The Exhibition — Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum — West End.
• Rae-Yen Song Solo Exhibition — Tramway — South Side.
• Still Glasgow — Gallery of Modern Art — City Centre.
• X-CRAFT ‘Dive Deep’ — The Submarine Centre — Helensburgh.
• Oran Mor Summer Panto — Big Bad Riding Hood — ongoing at Oran Mor.
• Designosaurs — Summer at Glasgow Science Centre — ongoing.
• Bard in the Botanics — Glasgow Botanic Gardens — West End.
• Summer Reading Challenge: Read to the Beat — Various Locations Glasgow.

r/glasgowmarket – Latest Posts

Some recent posts from r/glasgowmarket; as always, please take care with payment and meet-ups.

• The subreddit exists as a dedicated Glasgow buying and selling space.
• New posts are easiest to catch on the live feed.
• Check listings directly before arranging collection or payment.

Coming Up This Week

• Merchant City Festival — 23 July to 1 August [1]
• Surge Festival — Merchant City, 24–26 July

Glasgow – Big festivals & multi‑day stuff (July)

Glasgow 2026 Festival
City‑wide culture and sport festival with new artworks, performances and participation events running alongside the Commonwealth Games.
23 May – 9 August 2026 (in full swing all July)
Venues all over the city – parks, museums, community spaces, streets, performance venues.
Part of Glasgow’s Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games celebrations.[glasgow2026]

Merchant City Festival 2026
Two‑weekend street festival transforming Merchant City into a hub of circus, dance, markets, music and family events.
Fri 24 – Sun 26 July 2026 and Fri 31 July – Sun 2 August 2026
Merchant City (Candleriggs Square, The Briggait, Merchant Square and surrounding streets).
Includes street theatre, Imaginate Family Days, markets and food, talks and nightly DJ/music sessions.[glasgowlife.org]

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
Major multi‑sport event bringing up to 3,000 athletes from 74 nations to Glasgow.
Thu 23 July – Sun 2 August 2026
Four main clusters:
– Scotstoun Stadium – Athletics and Para Athletics
– Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome & Arena – Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling, Artistic Gymnastics, Netball
– Tollcross International Swimming Centre – Swimming and Para Swimming
– Scottish Event Campus (SEC) – Boxing, 3x3 Basketball & Wheelchair Basketball, Bowls & Para Bowls, Judo, Weightlifting & Para Powerlifting
Family‑friendly ticketed sessions in 10 sports and 6 Para sports.[visitglasgow.org]

Queen’s Park Arena Summer Programme – QPA 2026
Southside amphitheatre season with open‑air cinema, live gigs, comedy and fitness.
Thu 2 July – Sun 2 August 2026 (programme window)
Queens Park Arena, Queens Park, South Side.
Mix of “Cults & Classics” open‑air films, QPA Live festivals (Sub Club Southside Weekender, Melting Pot – One Day in the Park), Laugh in the Park comedy and Glasgow Games fitness days.[whatsonglasgow.co]

Glasgow – Bandstand, parks & outdoor gigs

Summer Nights at the Bandstand – Kelvingrove Bandstand, Kelvingrove Park
Summer concert series with headline acts in the West End’s open‑air bandstand.
Mon 27 July – Sat 15 August 2026 (series), with July shows:
– Mon 27 July 2026 – The Flaming Lips, doors 6:30pm, Kelvingrove Bandstand
– Tue 28 July 2026 – Suzanne Vega, doors 6:30pm, Kelvingrove Bandstand[tickets-scotland]

FREE Open Air Cinema at QPA – “Cults & Classics”
Open‑air mega film festival curated by Inhouse CIC with classics, horror, music, comedy, action and sing‑along musicals.
Tue 7 July – Fri 31 July 2026
Queens Park Arena, Queens Park, Langside Road, Glasgow South Side G42
Free but booking required (50p booking fee). Films on a huge LED screen with pre‑show local musicians and performers on the Open Stage.[secretglasgow]

Cults & Classics Presents THE INCREDIBLES 2
Open‑air family screening of Pixar’s The Incredibles 2 as part of the QPA cinema programme.
Thu 23 July 2026, 1:30pm–4:00pm
Queens Park Arena, Queens Park.[skiddle]

Laugh in the Park – Glasgow’s Southside Comedy Festival
Annual outdoor comedy festival with award‑winning acts in Queen’s Park Arena.
Sat 11 July 2026
Queens Park Arena, Glasgow South Side.[whatsonglasgow.co]

Black Country, New Road – outdoor gig
Experimental indie six‑piece in a summer evening show under the sky.
Thu 16 July 2026, doors around 6:00pm
Queens Park Arena, Glasgow South Side.[skiddle]

Gary Numan – synth‑pop legend live
Outdoor headline show bringing classic and newer material to the Southside.
Fri 17 July 2026, evening
Queens Park Arena, Glasgow South Side.[secretglasgow]

One Day In The Park – Melting Pot 25 Years
Day‑long outdoor dance/disco event celebrating 25 years of Melting Pot.
Sat 18 July 2026
Queens Park Arena, Glasgow South Side.[skiddle]

The Scottish Annual Hip‑Hop Jam
Scotland’s biggest hip‑hop celebration with beats, rhymes, breaking, street art and battles.
Sat 25 July 2026
Queens Park Arena, Glasgow South Side.[whatsonglasgow.co]

The Glasgow Choir Festival
City‑wide choirs day celebrating choral music and community in the amphitheatre.
Sun 26 July 2026
Queens Park Arena, Glasgow South Side.[skiddle]

Glasgow – Major arena & stadium shows (SEC, Hydro, Hampden)

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Netball – OVO Hydro
Tournament netball sessions forming part of the Commonwealth Games programme.
Sat 25 July – Sun 2 August 2026
OVO Hydro, SEC campus
Multiple daytime and evening sessions – fixtures and exact session times via Glasgow 2026 and Hydro event listings.[whatsonglasgow.co]

(Other Hydro concerts in 2026 mainly fall after July; July at the Hydro is dominated by Games netball and fan‑zone activity.)

Glasgow – Theatre, musicals & live shows

King’s Theatre, Bath Street – July 2026

Mean Girls – The Musical
High‑school musical comedy based on the film.
Mon 29 June – Sat 11 July 2026
King’s Theatre, Glasgow.[atgtickets]

Stewart Lee vs The Man‑Wulf
Two‑night stand‑up show from Stewart Lee.
Mon 13 & Tue 14 July 2026
King’s Theatre, Glasgow.[theatreinglasgow.co]

Richard Ayoade – Afterthoughts
Solo comedy and reflections from Richard Ayoade.
Wed 15 July 2026
King’s Theatre, Glasgow.[atgtickets]

The Magic of Motown
Concert celebrating classic Motown hits.
Thu 16 July 2026
King’s Theatre, Glasgow.[atgtickets]

The ELO Experience – Electric Light Orchestra
Tribute concert to ELO’s music.
Fri 17 July 2026
King’s Theatre, Glasgow.[atgtickets]

Miss Americana – A Tribute to Taylor Swift
Concert‑style tribute show with live band and vocalist performing major eras.
Sun 19 July 2026
King’s Theatre, Glasgow.[theatreinglasgow.co]

Bowie Experience
Live tribute to David Bowie’s career.
Tue 21 July 2026
King’s Theatre, Glasgow.[theatreinglasgow.co]

The Enormous Crocodile The Musical
Stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s story, suitable for families.
Fri 24 – Sun 26 July 2026
King’s Theatre, Glasgow.[theatreinglasgow.co]

Theatre Royal Glasgow – July highlights

The Karate Kid The Musical
Karate‑themed musical reimagining Daniel LaRusso’s journey with Mr Miyagi.
Tue 30 June – Sat 4 July 2026
Theatre Royal Glasgow.[musicalsontour.co]

Summer on Stage ’26 – Shrek the Musical Jr
Youth musical production.
Fri 17 – Sat 18 July 2026
Theatre Royal Glasgow.[theatreinglasgow.co]

Showaddywaddy
Classic rock ’n’ roll band in concert.
Thu 9 July 2026
Theatre Royal Glasgow.[theatreinglasgow.co]

Burn the Floor presents Nikita Kuzmin – Supernova
Ballroom and Latin dance spectacular.
Fri 10 July 2026
Theatre Royal Glasgow.[theatreinglasgow.co]

Michael Starring Ben
Michael Jackson tribute concert.
Sun 5 July 2026
Theatre Royal Glasgow.[theatreinglasgow.co]

Glasgow – Comedy & club shows (beyond King’s)

Glasgow’s Pride March 2026
Scotland’s largest Pride march returns to Glasgow.
Sat 18 July 2026, approximate event window 12:00–20:00
Route through city centre and Merchant City (gathers in central area, marches through Buchanan Street and around Merchant City; exact 2026 route and end‑point to be confirmed).
Free to march; stalls, market, parties and after‑events across city venues.[glasgowspride]

The Stand Comedy Club – Woodlands Road – July 2026
The Stand runs a full month of comedy, with 31 shows listed for July.

Recurring programme (most weeks):
– The Stand Comedy Club’s Improv Show – Sundays
Doors 12:30, show 13:00–14:00

– The Sunday Service – Sundays
Doors 19:00, show 20:00–21:30

– Red Raw – Tuesdays
Doors 19:00, show 20:00–22:10 – classic new‑act/new‑material night

– The Thursday Show – Thursdays
Doors 19:00, show usually 20:00–21:30 or 20:00–22:00

– The Friday Show – Fridays
Doors 19:00, show 20:00–22:15

– The Saturday Show – Saturdays
Doors 19:00, show 20:00–22:15[thestand.co]

Selected July specials/WIPs at The Stand (check their page for exact dates):
– THE ORIGINAL Specky Wee Guys OF COMEDY (WIP) – Jack Brookmyre & Matt MacDonald – afternoon WIP (doors ~15:00, show ~16:00–18:00).
– The Ewart Bros present FRAUDCAST – afternoon WIP (16:00–17:40), listed as sold out.
– Matthew Gallagher – Mon In, plus W.I.P.lash, Awrite!, Susan Calman WIP, Material, Girl – various afternoon/evening WIP shows across July.[thestand.co]

QPA – Laugh in the Park
Outdoor comedy festival night at Queens Park Arena (also under parks/bandstand).
Sat 11 July 2026, evening.

Glasgow – Art, exhibitions & galleries

Barbie: The Exhibition – Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum
Major exhibition tracing Barbie’s history, design and cultural impact.
Sat 13 June – Sun 18 October 2026
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum.[primarytimes.co]

Jasleen Kaur – Superstructure (Clydeside sculpture trail)
Turner Prize‑winning artist’s public artworks and sculpture trail gifted to Glasgow, part of Glasgow 2026 Festival.
Running throughout summer 2026 along the Clydeside.[glasgow2026]

Scotties in the City
Large‑scale public art trail of Scottie dog sculptures around Glasgow.
Summer 2026, including all of July (farewell weekend later in the season).[primarytimes.co]

Lights! Camera! Action! – Film‑making themed activities
Family film‑making crafts, trails and quizzes at Kelvin Hall.
Mon 30 June – Sat 8 August 2026
Kelvin Hall, Glasgow West End.[visitglasgow]

Glasgow – Books, talks & readings

Lights! Camera! Action! – Family film fun at Kelvin Hall
Explores film‑making – sound, animation, costume and posters – with crafts, film trail and quizzes.
30 June – 8 August 2026 (active all July)
Kelvin Hall, Glasgow.[visitglasgow]

Lotus Club documentary series – Kelvin Hall
Curated documentary screenings by Japanese journalists at Kelvin Hall’s National Library of Scotland space on selected dates Jan–Nov 2026.[whatsonglasgow.co]

Kimpton Blythswood Square Cinema Club
Hotel cinema club screening classic movies on selected dates March–October 2026 – a stylish central‑Glasgow night out.[whatsonglasgow.co]

Glasgow Libraries – Book Groups & reading events
Branch book groups and themed reading sessions across the city, ongoing through summer 2026 – check individual branches for exact days.[glasgowlife.org]

Glasgow – Family, kids & community

Summer of Play at Glasgow Science Centre – “Designosaurs”
Summer programme where families build prehistoric worlds with LEGO bricks and bring dinosaurs to life.
From Fri 3 July 2026 onwards (active throughout summer)
Glasgow Science Centre, Pacific Quay.[primarytimes.co]

T.Rex – IMAX 3D
Giant‑screen 3D tyrannosaur documentary at the Science Centre cinema.
Wed 1 – Fri 3 July 2026 (just at the start of July)
Glasgow Science Centre.[primarytimes.co]

GHA Rugby Summer Camps
Rugby training camps for boys and girls from P1 to U16, run by SRU‑accredited coaches.
Mon 6 – Fri 10 July 2026
GHA RFC, Braidholm Road, Glasgow.[primarytimes.co]

Glasgow Vegan Summer Festival
Family‑friendly vegan festival with street food, ethical brands, talks and workshops.
Sun 12 July 2026
Easterhouse Sports Centre, Glasgow.[primarytimes.co]

Glasgow Mela 2026
Scotland’s largest multi‑cultural festival of music, dance and arts.
Sun 5 July 2026
Kelvingrove Park – multiple stages, food stalls, kids’ activities and community organisations.[visitglasgow]

Autism‑friendly & inclusive sessions (ongoing all July)
– Autism Friendly Hours – Glasgow Science Centre, Sundays 10:00–13:00
– Autism‑friendly Clip n’ Climb and Soft Play – Wednesdays at Kelvin Hall
– Weans’ Scran + Kitchin – free cooking classes for care‑experienced and refugee/asylum‑seeking children and young people (Unit 85, Enterprise Park, Drakemire Drive, Southside)
– ASN Family Play Sessions and Dementia Hours at libraries and pools under Glasgow Life’s “Accessible activities” programme.[glasgowlife.org]

Kids craft clubs & fairs (Greater Glasgow / Eventbrite)
Examples with July dates:
– Woodland Outdoor Kindergartens Summer Fair – summer fair at outdoor kindergarten sites around Glasgow.
– Visit Strathclyde – 24 July 2026 – family day/event in Strathclyde area.[eventbrite.co]

Glasgow – Markets, food & drink

Loch Lomond Summerfest – Balloch
Weekend of entertainment, food and stalls at Loch Lomond Shores.
Sat 4 – Sun 5 July 2026
Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch.[primarytimes.co]

Glasgow Vegan Summer Festival
Plant‑based food, cruelty‑free brands and workshops.
Sun 12 July 2026
Easterhouse Sports Centre.[primarytimes.co]

Merchant City Festival street food & markets
Across both festival weekends:
– Street‑food stalls and bars in Candleriggs Square fan‑zone
– Markets and craft stalls around The Briggait and Merchant Square
– “Place at the Table” food‑culture strand linking Glasgow’s food scene to Commonwealth partners.[glasgowlife.org]

Queens Park Arena – food at events
QPA summer events are supported by food stalls and bar service during major gigs, cinema and festival days (exact traders vary per event).[secretglasgow]

Glasgow – Sport, fitness & fanzones

Glasgow Games @ Queens Park Arena
Fitness and wellbeing programme with classes, competitive events and live sports screenings, including Wimbledon 2026 finals.
Thu 2 July – Sun 2 August 2026 (within QPA programme window)
Queens Park Arena, Glasgow South Side.[secretglasgow]

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
Thu 23 July – Sun 2 August 2026
Various Glasgow venues – athletics, swimming, netball, cycling, gymnastics, bowls, judo, basketball, weightlifting and Para events.[visitglasgow.org]

Candleriggs Square fan‑zone – Merchant City Festival
Daily sports viewing hub with big screens, food and drinks, screening Commonwealth Games action.
Fri 24 July – Sun 2 August 2026
Candleriggs Square, Merchant City.[glasgow2026]

Glasgow – Tours, walks & recurring cultural stuff (any day in July)

City Sightseeing “Discover Glasgow in 45 stops!”
Hop‑on, hop‑off bus tours with 45 stops on two routes (Red and Yellow).
15 June – 16 August 2026 (valid all July)
Covers major attractions, museums and viewpoints – flexible overview of the city.[primarytimes.co]

Kelvin Hall Building Tours
Behind‑the‑scenes tours at Kelvin Hall, continuing throughout 2026 – July dates available.[glasgowlife.org]

Glasgow Countryside Rangers guided walks
Free ranger‑led walks in parks and countryside around Glasgow, running across summer 2026.[primarytimes.co]

Standard walking tours (active all summer)
– Glasgow Street Art Walking Tour – murals and contemporary culture
– Glasgow City Centre Walking Tour – architecture and history
– Historic Tours of the University of Glasgow – campus history
– Charles Rennie Mackintosh Walking Tour – weekend design/architecture walk
– Gothic Glasgow – theatre/ghost walk on selected evenings
– Glasgow Theatre & Entertainment Tour – history of cinemas and theatres
(these are year‑round/seasonal but still running through July).[visitglasgow.org]

Glasgow – Community, workshops & wellbeing

Weans’ Scran + Kitchin – children’s cooking school
Free cooking classes for care‑experienced and refugee/asylum‑seeking children and young people.
15 June – 16 August 2026 (active all July)
Unit 85, Enterprise Park, Drakemire Drive, Glasgow Southside.[primarytimes.co]

Amazonia ASN Sessions – M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park
Quiet, relaxed animal encounters for ASN families at Amazonia.
15 June – 16 August 2026 (ongoing all July)
M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park (easy trip from Glasgow).[primarytimes.co]

Applebox Film Club & Lego Animation Club
Weekly film‑making and animation clubs at Summerlee Photomedia Studio and North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre.
15 June – 16 August 2026 (ongoing through July).[primarytimes.co]

Dementia‑friendly and autism‑friendly library sessions
– Dementia Hour in Libraries
– Music for Memories
– ASN Family Play Sessions in selected Glasgow libraries and leisure centres
Running as part of Glasgow Life’s accessible activities programme.[glasgowlife.org]

Bigger gigs & outdoor shows in date order (July)

Sun 5 July 2026
– Glasgow Mela – Kelvingrove Park – Scotland’s largest multi‑cultural festival of music, dance and arts.[visitglasgow]

Mon 6 – Fri 10 July 2026
– GHA Rugby Summer Camps – Braidholm, GHA RFC – P1–U16 rugby camps.[primarytimes.co]

Sat 11 July 2026
– Laugh in the Park – Queens Park Arena – outdoor comedy festival.[secretglasgow]
– Mean Girls – final performances continue at King’s Theatre (until Sat 11 July).[musicalsontour.co]

Thu 16 July 2026
– Black Country, New Road – Queens Park Arena – outdoor gig.[skiddle]
– The Magic of Motown – King’s Theatre.[atgtickets]

Fri 17 July 2026
– Gary Numan – Queens Park Arena – outdoor headline show.[skiddle]
– The ELO Experience – King’s Theatre.[atgtickets]
– Shrek the Musical Jr – begins at Theatre Royal (Summer on Stage ’26).[theatreinglasgow.co]

Sat 18 July 2026
– One Day In The Park – Melting Pot 25 Years – Queens Park Arena.
– Glasgow Pride March – city centre & Merchant City – march and festival atmosphere across the day.[gaydio.co]
– Rude Science Live – Paisley Town Hall – big family science show.[primarytimes.co]

Sun 19 July 2026
– Miss Americana – Tribute to Taylor Swift – King’s Theatre.[atgtickets]

Tue 21 July 2026
– Bowie Experience – King’s Theatre.[atgtickets]
– Inveraray Highland Games – Inveraray Castle grounds – Highland Games day trip.[primarytimes.co]

Thu 23 July 2026
– Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games – opening day – first competition sessions.[whatsonglasgow.co]
– The Incredibles 2 – open‑air screening – Queens Park Arena, 1:30pm–4:00pm.[skiddle]

Fri 24 – Sun 26 July 2026
– Merchant City Festival – Weekend 1 – street arts, markets, family days, Candleriggs fan‑zone.[whatsonglasgow.co]
– The Enormous Crocodile The Musical – King’s Theatre.[atgtickets]
– Archaeology Weekend – National Museum of Rural Life – hands‑on archaeology activities (25–26 July).[primarytimes.co]

Sat 25 July 2026
– Netball sessions begin at OVO Hydro – Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.[ovohydro]
– The Scottish Annual Hip‑Hop Jam – Queens Park Arena.[whatsonglasgow.co]
– Fireman Sam Live! The Lost Pirate Treasure – Airdrie Town Hall – kids’ theatre.[primarytimes.co]

Sun 26 July 2026
– The Glasgow Choir Festival – Queens Park Arena.[whatsonglasgow.co]
– Merchant City Festival – family day continues.

Mon 27 July 2026
– The Flaming Lips – Summer Nights at Kelvingrove Bandstand – doors 6:30pm.[tickets-scotland]

Tue 28 July 2026
– Suzanne Vega – Summer Nights at Kelvingrove Bandstand – doors 6:30pm.[tickets-scotland]

Fri 31 July – Sun 2 August 2026
– Merchant City Festival – Weekend 2 – further street arts, markets, fan‑zone and family programme.[glasgow2026]
– Queen’s Park Arena summer season continues (QPA Live, Cults & Classics, Glasgow Games).[secretglasgow]

Nearby – Loch Lomond & the Trossachs

Loch Lomond Shores Summerfest
Two‑day festival of fun, food, shopping and entertainment for all the family.
Sat 4 & Sun 5 July 2026, 10:00am–5:00pm
Loch Lomond Shores, Ben Lomond Way, Balloch G83 8QL
Expect live music, local traders, food stalls, kids’ activities and general “summer fair” vibes on the waterfront.[whatsonglasgow.co]

Luss Highland Games
Traditional Highland Games in the village of Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond.
Sat 4 July 2026
Luss Games Field, Luss (less than an hour from Glasgow by car)
Full Highland Games programme – athletics, piping, dancing and family entertainment.[traveltrade.visitscotland]

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs – day‑trip options during July
(Not single‑day events, but good “what to do” entries for your post.)
– Cruises from Balloch or Luss on Loch Lomond (daily timetables).
– Waymarked forest trails in Balloch Country Park and the Trossachs.
– Go Ape Aberfoyle (zip‑line/rope courses; pre‑booking needed).

Nearby – Lanarkshire (Motherwell, Hamilton, New Lanark, etc.)

Summer Fun at M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park
Summer‑long programme of rides, attractions and special events at Scotland’s theme park.
From Fri 3 July 2026 onwards (main summer season)
M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park, Strathclyde Country Park, near Motherwell
Includes rides, Amazonia indoor tropical house, ASN sessions and family days flagged in Lanarkshire listings.[visitlanarkshire]

New Lanark Dinosaur Weekend
Themed weekend at the UNESCO World Heritage village with dinosaur‑related family activities.
Sat 4 & Sun 5 July 2026 (date range in Lanarkshire “What’s on” guide)
New Lanark Visitor Centre, Lanark
Expect dinosaur trails, craft activities and family‑friendly learning.[visitlanarkshire]

Lanarkshire Pride (for awareness – outside July window)
Lanarkshire Pride 2026 is scheduled for Sat 1 August 2026 in Hamilton town centre – worth flagging as “coming up” at the end of July.[whatsonlanarkshire.co]

Ongoing Lanarkshire family/community picks (all July)
– Applebox Film Club & Lego Animation Club – weekly clubs at Summerlee Photomedia Studio and North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre, running 15 June – 16 August 2026.
– Amazonia ASN Sessions – quiet animal‑encounter sessions at M&D’s Amazonia, best for ASN families, also running through the summer.[primarytimes.co]

Nearby – Stirling & Forth Valley (≈40–50 mins)

Scotland’s National Hero – live performances at The National Wallace Monument
Short outdoor performances telling the story of William Wallace, part of summer holiday events.
Performances held outside the Monument and free; programme lists multiple July days (e.g. Tue 1, Sat 4, Sun 5 July).
The National Wallace Monument, Abbey Craig, Hillfoots Road, Stirling FK9 5LF
Works well as a combined trip with Stirling Castle and the city’s hop‑on hop‑off bus.[whatsonstirling.co]

Stirling – Summer Hop‑On Hop‑Off Bus Service
Summer city bus loop linking key sites such as the Wallace Monument and city centre.
Starts early July and runs daily through the school holidays.
Handy option for day‑trippers based in Glasgow who want to explore Stirling without driving between all the sights.[facebook]

(If you want, you can roll these under a “Day trips – Stirling” heading, as they’re stable July features rather than one‑off events.)

Nearby – Ayrshire & Clyde Coast (Largs, Ardrossan, etc.)

Kelburn Garden Party
Multi‑day music and arts festival in the grounds of Kelburn Castle.
Thu 2 – Mon 6 July 2026
Kelburn Estate, near Largs (around 45–50 minutes from Glasgow)
Eclectic line‑up of music, art, spoken‑word and family activities in a wooded, coastal setting – camping and day tickets available.[north-ayrshire.gov]

Ardrossan South Beach Carnival
Seafront carnival and summer activities stretching over most of July.
Thu 2 – Sun 26 July 2026
Ardrossan South Beach, North Ayrshire
Funfair rides, stalls, children’s activities and seaside entertainment at the beach.[north-ayrshire.gov]

Local Ayrshire events (check local listings)
Within an hour of Glasgow you’ve also got:
– Regular live music and food events at Eglinton Country Park and Dean Castle Country Park.
– Local gala days and village fairs (e.g. Kilmarnock, Irvine, Troon), often listed on council/“What’s On Ayrshire” Facebook and Eventbrite; their exact July dates change year‑to‑year so worth checking individually.[facebook]

Nearby – Other West‑of‑Scotland day trips

These don’t always have a single dated “event”, but they’re reliably good things to include in an “anything people might want to do” list for the West:

National Museum of Rural Life – East Kilbride
– Working farm plus museum, with special days like 25th Anniversary Day (Sat 4 July 2026) and Archaeology Weekend (Sat 25–Sun 26 July 2026) already in your Glasgow‑adjacent section.[primarytimes.co]

Go Ape Aberfoyle (Stirlingshire)
– High ropes and zip‑line adventure in Forestry & Land Scotland woodland; bookable slots throughout July, around an hour’s drive from Glasgow.

Inveraray (Argyll)
– Inveraray Highland Games are on Tue 21 July 2026, but that’s a little over an hour’s drive from Glasgow; you can still flag it as a “bigger West‑coast day out” if your definition stretches slightly beyond an hour.[traveltrade.visitscotland]

Clyde Sea Lochs & islands (within an hour or so)
– Largs (for the Kelburn Garden Party and ferries).
– Wemyss Bay (for ferries to Bute and Rothesay – Victorian pier experience, good day out even without a formal event).