Top 10 things to do in Glasgow during the Commonwealth Games 2026

It may be an obvious first choice but the best thing to do during the Commonwealth Games is to get involved! The 23rd Commonwealth Games is the biggest sporting event happening in the UK in 20026 and with over 500,000 tickets, you can watch 3,000 elite athletes from 74 nations compete across 10 sports, including Athletics and Para Athletics at Scotstoun Stadium, Swimming at Tollcross, and Gymnastics at the Emirates Arena. This is your chance to see world-class competition and feel the electric festival atmosphere. Check what's on offer at Glasgow 2026.

Beyond the Games, an expansive 10-week festival is taking place across Glasgow with hundreds of cultural, sporting and community events. This includes a major new public art trail by Turner Prize winner Jasleen Kaur, featuring eight weather-vane-like sculptures installed along the River Clyde, and thousands of free activities for locals and visitors alike, tying together the city's summer of celebration. Learn more about what events are on offer at Glasgow 2026.

The flagship event of the Glasgow 2026 Festival, the annual Merchant City Festival has been turbocharged with more than double the events and performers compared to 2025. The festival transforms the Merchant City into a vibrant hub with live music stages, artistic performances, dance showcases, and a dedicated family programme across multiple venues. Learn more at Glasgow Life.

The World Cup may be over, but we can keep the sporting spirit going during the Commonwealth Games by visiting the world’s first football museum at Scotland’s national stadium, Hampden. You can marvel at the original Scottish Cup, the world's oldest national trophy, visit the Hall of Fame, and immerse yourself in a celebration of the beautiful game. Book your trip at Scottish Football Museum.

Escape the Commonwealth Games bustle in Glasgow's largest park. At Pollok Country Park you can visit the world-renowned Burrell Collection, which re-opened in 2022 after a major refurbishment. Don't miss the chance to spot Glasgow’s very own herd of Highland cows – snap a pic with the iconic Scottish animal and you’ll be transported into a highland estate within the heart of the southside of Glasgow. Learn more about the park at Glasgow City Council, and the art gallery at Burrell Collection.

One of the UK's most visited museums, Kelvingrove is a treasure trove spanning 22 galleries, from natural history to French Impressionism. Its stunning collection includes Salvador Dali's masterpiece Christ of St. John of the Cross and a suspended Spitfire plane. Entry is free, and you can enjoy daily organ recitals, making it the perfect cultural stop for all ages. Plan ahead at Glasgow Life.

Sticking with the Kelvingrove and Commonwealth Games theme, Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park will be transformed for 11 days to allow families and fans to gather to watch the Games on giant screens, while getting the chance to try a diverse range of physical activities – inspired by the Summer of Sport. Learn more at Glasgow 2026.

Part of the Merchant City Festival but deserving its own shout-out, Candleriggs Square is hosting a free-entry Global Street Food market with international flavours from vendors like Raffa’s Kitchen, Uplands Roast, and Delhi’s Winter. Alongside the food, a free live music stage runs daily with genres like jazz, indie, trad, and hip-hop, plus big screens to watch Commonwealth Games action. Special showcases include Opening Day Music, Sound of the Gaels, an Indy Music Showcase, and Pitch Scotland DJ sets. Plan ahead at Glasgow Life.

Taking place as part of the Glasgow 2026 Festival, this community gala performance celebrates the diversity of dance from across the Commonwealth. Featuring participants from the Commonwealth Dance Relay, this vibrant showcase brings together communities through movement and music, highlighting the shared cultural connections that the Games foster. Find out performance dates and venue details at Glasgow Life.

Round off your Commonwealth Games experience with two very different but equally joyous cèilidh events:

Joy Dunlop & Còisir Alba - Workshop, Concert & Cèilidh Dance at the Old Fruitmarket: This three-part Gaelic extravaganza begins with a free 'Blasad Gàidhlig' language and song workshop, followed by a joint concert with Joy Dunlop and Còisir Alba, and finishes with a family-friendly cèilidh dance where all dances are explained and demonstrated. See more at Glasgow Life.

Dear Green Commons: GalGael Workshops & Garden Commons Ceilidh: Hosted at the GalGael Workshops and Garden, this gathering is part of a series exploring what a truly shared city feels like, combining workshops, discussions and a garden cèilidh that celebrates Glasgow's river, its people and its stories. Learn more at Glasgow Life.