Hawick’s free RIDONKULOUS street day set for 12 September

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-27 17:09 3 min read

Crowded pedestrian shopping street in Scotland with historic sandstone architecture on sunny day.

Hawick High Street will be handed over to pedestrians on Saturday 12 September for RIDONKULOUS – The Great Street Day, a free community event running from 10am to 4pm.

Residents and visitors are invited to attend, with activities stretching along the High Street from the Horse to the Heart of Hawick. Entry is free and the event is open to the public.

A temporary road closure will create a traffic-free space for entertainment, family attractions, an active travel programme and a farmers’ market. Scottish Borders Council’s Active Travel Team is organising the event with Outsider Events as part of the No More RIDONKULOUS Car Trips campaign.

Bikes, family activities and a day without through traffic

The programme will offer opportunities to learn about active travel and try different types of bikes. Its focus is on showing how walking, wheeling and cycling can provide practical options for shorter everyday journeys.

Entertainment and family-friendly attractions will run throughout the day, although the full schedule has not yet been published. The temporary closure means visitors will be able to experience this section of the town centre without through traffic while the activities are under way.

The council says the event is being developed with local businesses, community organisations and other partners. Councillor Jenny Linehan, the council’s Executive Member for Environment, Sustainability and Transport, said the aim is to bring people into Hawick, encourage them to explore the High Street and support its shops, services and community groups.

Hawick’s free RIDONKULOUS street day set for 12 September

Farmers’ market puts Hawick producers on the High Street

A farmers’ market will bring local producers and traders into the event area, with fresh, local and artisan produce forming a central part of the day. It will give visitors another reason to move along the High Street while supporting participating businesses.

Shops and other local businesses are also being encouraged to take part. Suggested contributions include decorated windows, special promotions, outdoor displays, demonstrations and activities where appropriate. The precise offers and participating businesses have not yet been confirmed.

The combination of market stalls, shop activity and a people-focused street layout is intended to show how the High Street can function as a place to shop, meet and spend time when through traffic is removed for the day.

What visitors should know before 12 September

RIDONKULOUS – The Great Street Day takes place on Hawick High Street, from the Horse to the Heart of Hawick, between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 12 September. It is free and open to residents and visitors.

No booking process, accessibility arrangements or detailed transport information beyond the temporary road closure has been provided in the current announcement. Scottish Borders Council says fuller programme information and traffic-management arrangements will be announced ahead of the event.

Source: Scottish Borders Council News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

The date, operating hours, location, entry status and announced activities were matched to information published by Scottish Borders Council.

Checks

Confirmed the event date as Saturday 12 September 2026.
Confirmed the venue as Hawick High Street from the Horse to the Heart of Hawick.
Confirmed the operating hours as 10am to 4pm and entry as free and open to the public.
Distinguished confirmed attractions from programme and traffic-management details still du...

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