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Glasgow’s festival and events calendar

A music group performing on stage, featuring a woman playing a violin, a man playing a guitar, and another playing a bouzouki.
Celtic Connections
Glasgow has a spectacular programme of events and festivals. Check out some of the best live experiences to enjoy in the city.

January–March

A band performs on a stage under red lighting. The musicians are playing traditional instruments, including a fiddle, a woodwind instrument, and bagpipes.

April–September

Two men performing on an outdoor stage in front of a large crowd with their arms raised in the air.

October–December

A night time scene of illuminated pumpkins and a light installation that reads "PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW."

January–March

Celtic Connections (14–31 January 2027)

Glasgow's annual folk, roots, and world music festival returns to celebrate Celtic music and its connections to cultures across the globe. The 2027 line-up will be announced in autumn, visit Celtic Connections to find out more.

Scottish National Whisky Festival (23 January 2027)

The Scottish National Whisky Festival brings together exhibitors from across the whisky industry, with hundreds of whiskies and spirits available to sample. Guests also enjoy live music and entertainment from celebrated Scottish artists. Go to Scottish National Whisky Festival for more information.

The Halal Food Festival (January, 2027 dates tbc)

Explore the cultural diversity of halal food at the Halal Food Festival. Enjoy some of your favourite traditional dishes, and some modern twists, as well as live cooking demonstrations. There are also a variety of stalls selling modest wear fashion, fragrances, jewellery and more. Visit Halal Food Festival for updates.

A band and dancers performing on a colourful stage, with the main singer in a hat raising an arm.
Celtic Connections, credit: Kris Kesiak
A woman with red hair and a man taste whisky samples at a well-stocked bar counter at a festival.
Scottish National Whisky Festival

Glasgow Film Festival (February - March, 2027 dates tbc)

Glasgow Film Festival prides itself on being one of the friendliest on the planet. The diverse programme celebrates cinema from around the world and showcases new talent and the best of Scottish film. Visit Glasgow Film Festival to keep up-to-date.

Pigeon Shrine FrightFest (March, 2027 dates tbc)

If you love horror, then you'll love FrightFest. Taking place at the Glasgow Film Theatre as part of Glasgow Film Festival, visit Frightfest's Instagram for programme announcements.

Glasgow International Comedy Festival (10–28 March 2027)

For 20 years, GCIF has been bringing world-class comedy to Glasgow. Featuring both emerging and well-known comedians from across the globe, the festival offers everything from stand-up and improv to sketch. The 2027 line-up is still to be announced, but 2026's line up included Daniel Sloss, Bridget Christie, Judi Love, and Craig Hill. For updates, visit Glasgow Comedy Festival.

A smiling comedian in a pink shirt and kilt is on stage at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival (GICF) with a microphone.
Glasgow International Comedy Festival
The entrance to the Glasgow Film Theatre, with a lit marquee and a person walking through the doors.
Glasgow Film Theatre

C2C Country 2 Country (12–14 March 2027)

The biggest country acts to emerge from Nashville perform at the OVO Hydro for C2C Country 2 Country. The lineup is still to be announced, but 2026 saw Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley, and Cody Johnson take to the stage. Find out more at Country 2 Country.

Glasgow Short Film Festival (March, 2027 dates tbc)

Glasgow Short Film Festival champions new film talent with a programme of cinema covering documentary, animation, fiction, and more. It provides a brilliant platform for emerging Scottish filmmakers with a varied programme. Visit Glasgow Short for details.

A diverse audience smiling and laughing while watching a screening at the Glasgow Film Festival (GFF), seated in dark lighting.
Glasgow Short Film Festival

April–September

Counterflows (April, 2027 dates tbc)

Counterflows is an internationally acclaimed contemporary music festival. The programme includes challenging and thought-provoking work, with experimental music artists from Scotland, UK and around the world. Visit Counterflows for details.

Glasgow Cocktail Festival (April, 2027 dates tbc)

Bringing together the city’s top venues, exclusive drinks, parties and cocktail experiences. Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or just love a good night out, Glasgow Cocktail Week is your ticket to sip, celebrate and discover. Visit Glasgow Cocktail Fest for more information.

Barbie®: The Exhibition (13 June–18 October 2026)

This major new exhibition looks at the history and design of the world’s most famous and iconic dolls. Taking place at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, celebrate how Barbie has inspired generations across the world for almost seventy years. Book tickets at Glasgow Life.

October–December

AJ Bell Great Scottish Run (4 October 2026)

Lace up your running shoes and get ready to take on a new challenge. Whether you’re looking to take on the 10k or half-marathon, this is a great way to see the sights while aiming for that PB. Visit Great Run to sign up.

Tenement Trail (10 October 2026)

The multi-venue one-day festival, Tenement Trail happend every October. In 2025 Pale Waves, Chloe Slater, Do Nothing, and Gallus, performed across a number of venues, such as Barrowlands, St Luke's and Van Winkle. Book early bird tickets at Tenement Trail.

Sonica (24 September–4 October 2026)

Discover international musicians and visual artists alongside homegrown talent in some of Glasgow’s most vibrant venues. Discover more at Sonica.

Glasgow Cocktail Week (24 September–4 October 2026)

Glasgow's longest running cocktail featival returns for 2026! Bringing together the city's top venues, exclusive drinks, parties and cocktail experiences. Visit Glasgow Cocktail Week for further information.

Glasgow Youth Film Festival (September, 2026 dates tbc)

This year's festival includes new releases, iconic classics, and documentaries to be screened at the Glasgow Film Theatre. The festival is co-programmed by Glasgow Film and a group of youth programmers aged 15-19. Visit Glasgow Film for the full programme.

An atmospheric photo of a musician performing an electronic set on a dimly lit stage, engulfed in thick fog and intensely bright, warm orange light.
Sonica, credit: Bruno Aiello Destombes.

Take Me Somewhere (October, 2027 dates tbc)

Take Me Somewhere brings international and national experimental performance to the city. Expect the most radical of live performances across a variety of venues, including Tramway. Keep up to date at Take Me Somewhere.

Scottish Queer International Film Festival (19–24 October 2026)

SQIFF is an annual festival showcasing the best in independent film made for and by LGBTQIA+ people. The festival is Scotland-wide, with many events held in Glasgow. Visit SQIFF to find out more.

GlasGlow (23 October–1 November 2026)

The UK's biggest Halloween event takes over Glasgow's Botanic Gardens with an epic outdoor experience. Visit GlasGLOW to be first in the know.

An aerial night view of the illuminated Kibble Palace and surrounding Botanic Gardens, featuring bright orange and pink lights, and a swirling blue light display on the grass.
GlasGlow

Hoolie in the Hydro (12 December 2026)

Expect a stellar line-up from across Scotland’s vibrant folk and traditional music scene. Artists are still to be confirmed, but to give you a taste, last year's included Elephant Sessions, Trail West, Mànran, and Beluga Lagooa. Visit Ovo Hydro for more information.

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (13 December 2026)

Experience world-class cycling as the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup comes to Glasgow for the first time. Taking place in Kelvingrove Park, this thrilling international event will see the world’s best riders tackle mud, grass and obstacles in fast-paced races. Visit UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup to get tickets.

Irn Bru Carnival (December–January, 2026 dates tbc)

Taking over the SEC every year, the Irn Bru Carnival is known as one of Scotland's best family days out. There are rides, stalls, inflatable play, candy floss, and much more. Find out more at Irn Bru Carnival.

Four individuals are seated and laughing in a bright blue, spinning fairground ride compartment at the Irn Bru Carnival.
Irn Bru Carnival, credit: John Clark.
Crowds of spectators watch cyclists racing up a steep muddy hill during a cyclo-cross event.
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup

Article last updated: September 2026

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