Celtic Connections
Celtic Connections will return for 2025 from Wednesday 16th January to Saturday 2nd February!
About Celtic Connections
| , Various Locations Glasgow | |
| 01413538000 | |
| Celtic Connections Website | |
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Celtic Connections, the premiere winter festival and international celebration of Celtic music, will illuminate stages across Glasgow from Thursday 16 January to Sunday 2 February, eclipsing dark winter nights with a kaleidoscope of internationally-renowned music, exciting new performances, unique showcases and one-off collaborations.
Demonstrating just why Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music, the festival, delivered by Glasgow Life, will fill around 25 venues on both sides of the Clyde with around 300 events across 18 days, anticipating around 110,000 visitors and an estimated 1,200 musicians and artists.
Now in its 32nd year and almost five times the size it was when it began in 1994, Celtic Connections continues to push the envelope of artistic programming and ambition.
The festival’s 2025 bill spans a myriad of genres, from acoustic, traditional, Americana and orchestral to indie, jazz, blues, experimental and more. The event will welcome artists from around 20 countries around the world including Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, France, Italy, Nigeria, Spain, Wales, Ireland, Republic of the Congo and many more.
This year will also see the launch of a new under-26s pass, giving young music fans an opportunity to access rolling discounts on a mix of shows and ensuring the magic of the festival continues to be accessible to as wide a range of audiences as possible.
Glasgow’s much-loved venues, famous for having the “best fans in the world”, are set to give artists a welcome warm enough to heat the chilliest of evenings. Iconic locations the length and breadth of Glasgow are involved include The Old Fruitmarket, Barrowland Ballroom, SWG3, Saint Luke’s and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Celtic Connections will also make history when Peat and Diesel become the first band ever to play at the Emirates Arena in the city’s east end.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.
Upcoming Events at Celtic Connections
Celtic Connections
The January blues are set to be well and truly banished as Glasgow comes alive when Celtic Connections returns for 2025 between January 16th and February 2nd!
READ MOREOpening Night: Celebrating Glasgow 850
Celtic Connections' iconic annual Opening Concert is set to live up to expectations with an epic marking of Glasgow 850, heralding the start of the city's year-long 850th birthday celebration!
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Saltfishforty and Moynihan
Celtic Connections favourites Saltfishforty are back with guests, presenting their exhilarating blend of traditional Orkney music and... well, you name it!
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Mec Lir, Kinnaris Quintet & Four Men and a Dog
Celtic Connections proudly presents Mec Lir, Kinnaris Quintet & Four Men and a Dog live at The Barrowlands on Friday 17th January!
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Merchant City Trad Trail
Glasgow Music City Tours are back with more entertaining walking tours designed especially for Celtic Connections 2025!
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Karan Casey: The Women, We Will Rise and Noah Scott & Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
Karan Casey explores new performance dimensions, integrating piano, spoken word, and theatre to connect with audiences globally while modernizing Irish folk traditions.
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Orchestral Qawwali Project
Orchestral Qawwali Project breathes new life into centuries-old traditions by seamlessly blending western classical and choral music with South Asian Sufi music and Indian classical dance!
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Josienne Clarke Sings the Songs of Sandy Denny
Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Josienne Clarke sings the songs of Sandy Denny at Drygate Brewery as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Madison Cunningham
GRAMMY Award-winning American singer, songwriter and guitarist Madison Cunningham will perform at The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Gretchen Peters and The Black Denims
For over two decades, Gretchen Peters has been one of Nashville's most beloved, respected, and celebrated artists. Don't miss her live in Glasgow as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Oysterband
Oysterband will bring their A Long Long Goodbye tour to Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket on Friday 17th January as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Trail West
Trail West are an explosive six-piece line-up with strong links to the Western Highlands and Islands, catch their first headline show of 2025 at Celtic Connections!
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Jill Jackson & The Southern Heartstrings and Support
Experience Jill Jackson like never before. In a special appearance at Celtic Connections, the award-winning artist will take the stage with her remarkable band, The Southern Heartstrings!
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Tsuumi Sound System with Frigg
Seven-piece Finnish world music ensemble Tsuumi Sound System will perform at Oran Mor Glasgow as part of Celtic Connections with support from Frigg!
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Blue Rose Code & Rhona MacFarlane
Blue Rose Code are one of the UK's most uplifting and powerful live acts, don't miss them live at The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow as part of Celtic Connections with support from Rhona MacFarlane!
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Jupiter & Okwess
Discover why Jupiter & Okwess' animated Afro-funk, merciless grooves, and high-speed jams have attracted critical acclaim and adoring fans the world over when they come to Celtic Connections!
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The GRIT Orchestra
The GRIT Orchestra return to Celtic Connections to commemorate the late Martyn Bennett by celebrating his life and legacy!
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Cahalen Morrison & Friends and Naomi Bedford & The Ramshackle Band
Cahalen Morrison is currently working on a new album with some of Scotland’s most influential and forward-thinking musicians, many of which join him for this intimate show of new material.
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corto.alto + friends: Made In Glasgow
Mercury Prize nominated corto.alto is bringing a mini festival to The Barrowlands for a hometown show as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Frankie Gavin and De Dannan and Support
Frankie Gavin and De Dannan are thrilled to perform at Glasgow's Barony Hall as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
READ MOREThe McDades with Cua
Punching through the walls of tradition, The McDades deliver Celtic-rooted music fused with the spontaneity of jazz improvisation and infectious global rhythms.
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The Zawose Queens and support
Pendo and Leah Zawose showcase the fluid polyrhythms and rapturous polyphonic singing of the Gogo (aka Wagogo) people of the arid, hilly Dodoma region of central Tanzania.
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Start To End Perform Prefab Sprout - Steve McQueen
A performance of Prefab Sprout's indie-pop classic second album Steve McQueen, played in full from Start to End to celebrate its 40th Anniversary, featuring some of Scotland's leading musicians.
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Lindisfarne
Don't miss legendary 70's folk-rick pioneers Lindisfarne live at The Old Fruitmarket on Sunday 19th January as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Lyle Lovett and Jon Muq
American songwriter, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums, don't miss him live with Jon Muq at Celtic Connections 2025!
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Matt Carmichael: Dancing with Embers
Scottish saxophonist Matt Carmichael will preview his upcoming album, Dancing with Embers, at The Barony Hall for Celtic Connections 2025!
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Tim O’Brien & Jan Fabricius with Seamie O’Dowd & Dermot Byrne
Multi-Grammy award winner Tim O'Brien joins forces with some old friends to present an evening of acoustic roots music as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Good Looks
Blue-collar bad boys Good Looks will headline The Hug and Pint on Sunday 19th January as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Frigg with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Finnish folk supremos Frigg will be joined by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in this special Celtic Connections show at Glasgow's City Halls!
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Simon Joyner
Join Simon Joyner at The Hug and Pint for a deeply intimate performance of his new album Coyote Butterfly as part of Celtic Connections 2025.
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Rhiannon Giddens & Dirk Powell
Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell are celebrated for bringing the emotional essence of rural American music to modern audiences with a unique depth and vision.
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Dialogues: Su-a Lee, Duncan Chisholm, Hamish Napier & Donald Shaw
Su-a Lee (Grit Orchestra) returns to Celtic Connections to perform with three of her stellar collaborators... Duncan Chisholm, Hamish Napier & Donald Shaw.
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Georgia Cécile & Special Guests
Georgia Cécile continues to make her mark as one of the UK's finest new voices, don't miss her live at Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Corrina Hewat - Song of Oak & Ivy
Corrina Hewat's ten-harp suite featuring acoustic, electric and wire-strung harps – intensely encapsulates, in four movements, the diverse energies of the contemporary Scottish harp revival.
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Lloyd Cole
Lloyd Cole has announced a full band show at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Tuesday 21st January, as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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In The Tradition
In the Tradition brings together a powerful line up of artists for Celtic Connections 2025, each breathing new life into traditional music.
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A Giant on the Bridge
A Giant on the Bridge reveals the intimate human experiences within the prison-homecoming journey in a compelling narrative-gig which fuses songwriting, Scottish hip hop & original storytelling.
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Cyril Cyril
Cyril Cyril will bring their multi-percussion ufo-banjo ghost-like fanfare to The Hug and Pint on Wednesday 22nd January as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Film: Kim Carnie Out Loud with Q&A
Kim Carnie Out Loud is both an exploration of the challenges faced by people because of their sexuality and a joyous celebration of being gay.
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Bernard Butler
Brit and Grammy Award winning musician Bernard Butler has announced a headline show at Oran Mor Glasgow as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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The Furrow Collective with Salt House
This double-billed concert is an early insight into a compelling new collaboration between two highly acclaimed bands, each with a singular yet complementary vision.
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Peat & Diesel
Peat & Diesel bring their wild, high-energy sound to the Emirates Arena for the venue's first ever gig, as part of Celtic Connections and their UK Tour!
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John Metcalfe: Tree
John Metcalfe brings a rare live performance to Glasgow's innovative and inspiring Tramway of his latest album Tree, as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Robert Vincent and Xan Tyler
Liverpool singer and songwriter Robert Vincent returns to Glasgow for a night at Drygate on Thursday 23rd January as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Joshua Burnside and Lemoncello
Belfast-based Northern Irish folk singer-songwriter Joshua Burnside returns to Glasgow for a headline show as part of Celtic Connections with support from Lemoncello!
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The Chair 20th Anniversary with FARA
Formidable Orcadian eight-piece The Chair celebrate their 20th anniversary with a turbocharged mash-up of folk, blues, rock, dub, klezmer and more at The Barrowlands as part of Celtic Connections!
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Elephant Sessions
From the Highlands of Scotland, progressive folk band, Elephant Sessions return to the O2 Academy Glasgow on Friday 24th January with special guests the East Pointers as part of Celtic Connections!
READ MORESong Club: Nell Mescal, Sam Griffiths & Katie Gregson-MacLeod
Step into Song Club, where some of the UK's most exciting emerging singer-songwriters collide for an evening of raw talent, unique collaborations, and fresh energy.
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The Magic Numbers
Expect a dynamic, must-see performance from a band with years of experience and undeniable chemistry when The Magic Numbers headline Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Norman Willmore & Corrie Dick with Hannah Read
Shetland Islands native Norman Willmore and Glasgow's Corrie Dick will headline Drygate on Friday 24th January with support from Hannah Read!
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The Friel Sisters with Nuala Kennedy & Eamon O’ Leary
The Friel Sisters return to Celtic Connections to celebrate the launch of their long-awaited new album!
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Sacred Paws
With fun and enjoyment at the heart of their music-making, don't miss Sacred Paws live at Drygate on Saturday 25th January as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
READ MOREÍmar And Malin Lewis
Featuring current and former members of Mànran, Mec Lir, RURA and Talisk don't miss Scottish folk supergroup Ímar live at The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Scottish National Whisky Festival
Take a deep dive into the modern world of spirits and live music with the Scottish National Whisky Festival at SWG3 Glasgow - the definitive whisky and cultural experience!
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The Langan Band and Wayward Jane
Enjoy the exhilarating sound of The Langan Band, very much rooted in modern traditions with catchy tunes and beautiful lyrics, when they return to Saint Luke's as part of Celtic Connections!
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Moving Cloud: TRIP & Brìghde Chaimbeul with Scottish Dance Theatre
Moving Cloud is an exciting collaboration of contemporary dance and traditional music created by Celtic Connections and Scottish Dance Theatre featuring the musicians of TRIP & Brìghde Chaimbeul!
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Roaming Roots Revue presents Icons Vol.1
Roaming Roots Revue returns to Celtic Connections to recreate some legendary moments from some of Britain's most iconic songwriters and bands ever!
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Lake Street Dive
American multi-genre band Lake Street Dive will bring their 'Good Together' European tour to Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket on Sunday 26th January as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Hayden Thorpe & Propellor Ensemble perform NESS
Celtic Connections presents Hayden Thorpe & Propellor Ensemble perform NESS at City Halls' Recital Room on Sunday 26th January!
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Josh Rouse: Nashville 20th Anniversary
Two decades on from its 2005 release, Nashville comes to Glasgow as Josh Rouse brings a full-band performance of his acclaimed fifth album to Celtic Connections!
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Hunter, McMustard & Mellow Party with Dumfries Community Choir
Celtic Connections proudly presents Hunter, McMustard & Mellow Party with Dumfries Community Choir at Oran Mor Glasgow on Tuesday 28th January!
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Willie Watson
Founding member of The Old Crow Medicine Willie Watson will play Cottiers Theatre on Tuesday 28th January as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Broken Chanter
Brocken Chanter comes to Cottiers on Wednesday 29th January for a special night of music as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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BMX Bandits and QUAD90
BMX Bandits kick off their 40th anniversary celebrations at Celtic Connections, with a one off exclusive concert of their most acclaimed album yet, 2024's Dreamers on the Run.
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Niall McNamee
Known for his thoughtful yet full-blooded songs and his charismatic live performances don't miss your chance to see Niall McNamee at The Glad Cafe as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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An Dannsa Dub
An Dannsa Dub are back with brand new music ahead of their upcoming album release, don't miss them live at Tramway on Thursday 30th January as part of Celtic Connections!
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The Cactus Blossoms
American alternative country and indie folk band The Cactus Blossoms will headline Drygate on Thursday 30th January as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Hayside Dixie
The undisputed creators of the musical genre, Rockgrass, Hayseed Dixie return to Saint Luke's Glasgow on Thursday 30th January as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Bog Bodies
Bog Bodies genre-bending, high-energy folk sound is garnering international critical acclaim, don't miss your chance to see them at The Hug and Pint as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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KT Tunstall
KT Tunstall celebrates her debut album, Eye to the Telescope, turning 20 with a celebration at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Thursday 30th January as part of Celtic Connections!
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David Grubb
Fife-born accomplished fiddle player David Grubb heads to The Hug and Pint, Glasgow for an intimate show on Friday 31st January as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
READ MOREKT Tunstall
KT Tunstall celebrates her debut album, Eye to the Telescope, turning 20 with a celebration at The Barrowlands on Friday 31st January!
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Transatlantic Sessions
It wouldn't be Celtic Connections without Transatlantic Sessions featuring an exclusive all-star line-up from here in Scotland and across the pond for 2025!
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B O D I E S
Musically spanning indie and neo-classical with a strong ear for melody, it's no exaggeration to state B O D I E S have a sound all their own!
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Cara Dillon - Coming Home
Don't miss this stunning concert as Cara Dillon, along with her exceptional band, proves that music is not just an art form but a profound means of connection.
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The Bluebells
The Bluebells are set to light up the Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom on Saturday 1st February for Celtic Connections 2025!
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the olllam and Astro Bloc
Iconic trad-folk group the olllam head to SWG3 Galvanizers on Saturday 1st February, as part of Celtic Connections 2025, alongside upcoming folk group Astro Bloc!
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Ibibio Sound Machine
Fronted by Nigerian singer Eno Williams, Ibibio Sound Machine bring their clash of African and electronic elements to Celtic Connections 2025!
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The Great Irish Songbook: Dervish & Special Guests
Legendary Irish folk music band Dervish, bring their acclaimed show The Great Irish Songbook to the Pavilion Glasgow as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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KAN and Caamaño & Ameixeiras
A decade after they stepped back from performing, front-line innovators KAN rekindle the fire again, don't miss them live at Saint Luke's as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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After The Last Waltz
Enjoy a night of Americana, folk, blues and classic rock and roll when After The Last Waltz return to Glasgow's King Tut's as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Nogood Boyo
Trash-trad group NoGood Boyo mixes traditional Welsh language songs with the sounds of 90s rave and nu-metal! Catch them live at The Hug and Pint as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Lady Blackbird
Lady Blackbird has announced a run of headline shows which will see her headline The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow as part of Celtic Connections 2025!
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Field Music
Sunderland's Field Music have announced a tour in support of their new album, which will see them headline Oran Mor Glasgow on Sunday 2nd February as part of Celtic Connections!
READ MOREMore Festivals in Glasgow
The Village Storytelling Festival
The Village Storytelling Festival CCA Glasgow,
Glasgow City Centre G2 3JD
The Village Storytelling Festival, Scotland's community and contemporary storytelling festival, is back for 2024!
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Southside Fringe Festival
Various locations across the southside ,
Glasgow South Side
Enjoy a fortnight of music, workshops and events south of the river Clyde when the Southside Fringe Festival returns in May 2022!
READ MORE
Glasgow Wildfest
,
Various Locations Glasgow
Now in its fourth year, Glasgow Wildfest, is a whole month of events celebrating Glasgow’s greenspaces!
READ MORE
Glasgow Science Festival
,
Various Locations Glasgow
Glasgow Science Festival is back with a fresh batch of science-fuelled fun for adults and weans alike. Explore the world through talks, walks, art, film, experiments and even yoga!
READ MORE
Glasgow Zine Fest
Centre For Contemporary Arts 350 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow City Centre G2 3JD
Glasgow Zine Fest is a yearly celebration of zine culture, featuring events about art, community, and heritage!
READ MORE
Merchant City Festival
220 High Street,
Glasgow City Centre G4 OQW
The Merchant City Festival is an annual extravaganza of street theatre, music, dance, circus, visual arts, comedy & literature in Glasgow's City Centre!
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Glasgow Film Festival
Glasgow Film Theatre Rose Street,
Glasgow City Centre G3 6RB
One of the friendliest film festivals on the planet with a wide-ranging programme that celebrates every corner of world cinema and provides a fantastic showcase for the best of Scottish film!
READ MORE
Glasgow Jazz Festival
Glasgow Jazz Festival ,
Various Locations Glasgow
The Glasgow Jazz Festival takes place annually in June and features a wide range of jazz artists from around the world!
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Being Human Festival
Hosted by the University of Glasgow ,
Online Event Glasgow
The University of Glasgow channels the Glaswegian spirit of invention and reinvention in its Being Human festival programme.
READ MORE
St Mungo Festival
St Mungo Festival ,
Various Locations Glasgow
St Mungo, patron saint of Glasgow, is celebrated during the city's official St Mungo Festival held annually in January!
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival
,
Various Locations Glasgow
The Glasgow International Comedy Festival features spectacular stand-up stars and home-grown favourites on stages across the city!
READ MORE
All Festivals listings in Glasgow
Sponsored Links
The Village Storytelling Festival
The Village Storytelling Festival, Scotland's community and contemporary storytelling festival, is back for 2024!
READ MORE
Southside Fringe Festival
Enjoy a fortnight of music, workshops and events south of the river Clyde when the Southside Fringe Festival returns in May 2022!
READ MORE
Glasgow Wildfest
Now in its fourth year, Glasgow Wildfest, is a whole month of events celebrating Glasgow’s greenspaces!
READ MORE
Glasgow Science Festival
Glasgow Science Festival is back with a fresh batch of science-fuelled fun for adults and weans alike. Explore the world through talks, walks, art, film, experiments and even yoga!
READ MORE
Glasgow Zine Fest
Glasgow Zine Fest is a yearly celebration of zine culture, featuring events about art, community, and heritage!
READ MORE
Merchant City Festival
The Merchant City Festival is an annual extravaganza of street theatre, music, dance, circus, visual arts, comedy & literature in Glasgow's City Centre!
READ MORE
Glasgow Film Festival
One of the friendliest film festivals on the planet with a wide-ranging programme that celebrates every corner of world cinema and provides a fantastic showcase for the best of Scottish film!
READ MORE
Glasgow Jazz Festival
The Glasgow Jazz Festival takes place annually in June and features a wide range of jazz artists from around the world!
READ MORE
Being Human Festival
The University of Glasgow channels the Glaswegian spirit of invention and reinvention in its Being Human festival programme.
READ MORE
St Mungo Festival
St Mungo, patron saint of Glasgow, is celebrated during the city's official St Mungo Festival held annually in January!
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival
The Glasgow International Comedy Festival features spectacular stand-up stars and home-grown favourites on stages across the city!
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