We expect the site to be very busy on the days we have events on. For a stress free visit, please plan to park elsewhere. We have limited disabled parking on site. Nearby parking can be found at the Time Capsule (ML5 1DL). Public transport can be found at Traveline Scotland.
No dogs (except registered assistance dogs) are permitted on site.
Entry is free, with small charges for some activities.
Music in the Museum 2025
Scotland’s noisiest museum continues it’s programme of events, Music in the Museum, produced by North Lanarkshire Council’s arts development team. From thunderous Compton Pipe Organ performances to world-class “pop-up” opera, there’s a different musical event to experience each month in the unique surroundings of an industrial museum!
School Holiday Activities
The museum is open 10am-5pm, 7 days during the North Lanarkshire Council school holidays.
Everyday we have:
- Mine tours
- Outdoor play
- Miners’ cottages
- Woodland walks
- Café and picnic tables
- Old fashioned sweetie shop
- Traditional Capocci ice cream van (subject to weather)
- Exhibitions including “Everything Flows”
Check out the full programme of activity available each day.
Fair Monday Fun Day
Monday 21 July, 10am – 5pm
Join us for a day of family fun! Burn off some energy on the bouncy castle (free) or at the play park, visit our free World of Wings show with owls and other birds of prey, enjoy an ice cream from Capocci Man and take part in indoor and outdoor games.
Make it a day out by visiting our picnic areas, cafe and old fashion sweetie shop.
National Play Day
Wednesday 6 August
A national celebration of play with lots of free activities for all the family. With NHS Lanarkshire, Libraries NL, NL Arts and lots more.
Steam Fair
Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August
Find out more about how to get involved with steam, see the steam fleet in action and enjoy all the usual Summerlee fun including Photo ID. Plus meet the Airdrie and Coatbridge photographic club and view a selection of their work.
End of Summer Funday
Monday 11 August
The holidays might be ending but the fun doesn’t have to! Join us for a day of family activities.
Meccano Show
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September
The Meccano Society of Scotland return! With large and small working Meccano models from all eras – from vintage cars and spaceships to giant cranes and interactive mechanisms you can operate!
Classic Car Show
Sunday 21 September
Our classic car show but on a smaller scale – but still packed full of fun! More information to follow.
September Weekend Family Activities
Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September
More information to follow.
Doors Open Day
Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Summerlee Museum. More information to follow.
Brick M8
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October
Join us as LEGO® builders from across Scotland display their latest LEGO® creations and displays. If you have a LEGO® question these are the people to ask! Once you have been inspired then head to the build tables where there are thousands of bricks to play with!
October Week Activities
Saturday 11 – Sunday 19 October
More information to follow.
Meet Father Christmas
Saturdays and Sunday through December plus 23 and 24 December
Meet Santa in his grotto and visit our winter wonderland activity area. More information to follow.
Bookbug
Every Friday, 10.30am
Discover the benefits of sharing stories, songs and rhymes with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers to give them the best start in life.
Join us for weekly Bookbug sessions at 10.30am every Friday.
These are drop-in sessions so there’s no need to book in advance. However, capacity is limited and to ensure Bookbug is a fun and safe experience for everyone who comes along, we will need to shut the door once the room reaches its maximum capacity.
Summerlee Museum ESOL Conversational Café
Every second Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Come along for good conversation and activities to help improve your English. If you have children, they are welcome to come along with you.
Tea and coffee provided.
English speakers are encouraged to come along to help with conversation too.
Ми вітаємо Українці у Північному Ланаркшіре.
Call us on 01236 638460 for more information.
Summerlee Photomedia Studio
North Lanarkshire’s Arts & You team offer weekly classes for adults and children of all abilities in photography, film-making, animation and more at Summerlee Photomedia Studio.
Applebox Film Club, Saturdays, 11am – 1pm, suitable for 8 – 13 years
LEGO Animation Club, Mondays, 4pm – 5pm, suitable for 8 – 12 years
Adult All Ability Photography, Wednesdays, 12.30pm – 2pm & Thursdays, 10.30am – 12pm, suitable for 16 years+
TWENTY20 Pictures Project, Fridays, 1pm – 3pm & Saturdays, 1.15pm – 3.15pm, suitable for 14 – 18 years
Tom Gates Mega Museum Challenge
Tom Gates Mega Museum ChallengeBring your family museum trip to life for free with the Tom Gates Mega Museum Challenge activity pack from Scholastic and Kids in Museums. Kids can go on their very own adventure by seeing if they can ‘Spot Ten Random Things’ from the activity sheet at the museum – from the biggest thing to the grossest! Try out some top drawing tips and tricks then take part in a Doodle Challenge.
Visit the Kids In Museums website to download now.
Hear the Mighty Compton Cinema Organ
Hear the Mighty Compton Cinema Organ Live music on the Compton Cinema Organ
FREE
Hear the mighty Compton Cinema Organ played by multi-award winning musician Aaron Hawthorn. The power of the organ means you can listen while enjoying lunch in the café.
Please note, these are promenade performances, not seated.