More than 500 people from across Scotland’s diverse communities gathered in Coatbridge for Sakoon Summer Fest 2026, a free multicultural family festival organised by Scottish charity Sakoon Mind. Held at the grounds of Summerlee Museum, the event celebrated Punjabi and South Asian culture while creating a welcoming space for people from different cultural and religious backgrounds to connect, participate and celebrate together.
Festival highlights and activities
The festival brought together families and communities from across Lanarkshire and beyond. Visitors enjoyed live multicultural entertainment, cultural activities, children’s entertainment, local businesses, independent traders and a wide variety of food.
A central aim of the event was to create opportunities for people to experience and learn about Punjabi and South Asian traditions in an open and welcoming environment. Visitors were able to take part in turban tying, dupatta draping and bindi activities, providing a chance for those unfamiliar with these traditions to engage with them, ask questions and learn more about the culture.
Performances and organisation
Live performances by Hannah Doyle, Karamjit Bhalla and Banny A formed part of the festival’s entertainment programme, adding to the celebration and helping bring the audience together through music and performance.
The event was organised by Sakoon Mind co-founders Taj Kooner and Sandip Kaur, with event co-ordination from Alison Karir, Dal Hayer, Boota Singh Toor, Sodhi Bagri and Navjot Gosal. The team was supported by Sakoon Mind volunteers, sponsors, partners, performers, stallholders and community organisations.
Community response and future plans
Sakoon Mind thanked everyone who attended and contributed to the event, including Summerlee Museum, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Sikh Motorcycle Club Scotland, local businesses, food vendors, performers, stallholders, volunteers, sponsors and community partners. The charity said the response demonstrated the appetite for inclusive community events that celebrate culture while creating meaningful opportunities for connection.
Taj Kooner, co-founder of Sakoon Mind, said: "For those of us in the Punjabi diaspora, it is so important that our children remain connected to their roots, culture and heritage. But it is equally important that we open our culture to the communities we now call home. Summer Fest wasn’t about separating cultures - it was about bringing them together. We saw Punjabi, Scottish, Polish, Chinese and many other communities sharing the same space, learning from each other, talking, laughing and celebrating together. I was brought up in Coatbridge, went to primary and high school here, and Coatbridge is home to me. Seeing more than 500 people come together for something we created was incredibly special. This was our biggest event yet."
He added: "What started locally is growing. We want to take Sakoon Mind into more communities across Scotland while keeping our culture, lived experiences and message of togetherness at the heart of everything we do."
