Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 19 June 2024 9:44
The festival features music, dance, and arts from across the globe and is a popular part of Glasgow’s annual events calendar.
The Glasgow Mela is a celebration of South Asian culture and heritage. It is based on the traditions of the Indian sub-continent and has evolved to become an outdoor multicultural spectacular.
Below is everything you need to know about the 2024 Glasgow Mela.
When is it?
The Glasgow Mela is on Sunday 23 June, from 12pm to 8pm.
Music
Local, national and international artists will take to the stage to wow audiences.
Acts will range from award-winning Punjabi rapper Roach Killa to Scottish DJs Gtown Desi and Glasgow's own Rameet Sandhu.
After many years, Glasgow’s original bhangra rockers Bombay Talkie are reuniting for a special performance.
The Bhangra Beatles will also perform hits from the Fab Four like you’ve never heard them before. This year’s event will be headlined by the legendary Apache Indian.
Food and market stalls
The Glasgow Mela has a wide selection of food stalls with everything from tasty samosas and kebabs to churros and refreshing mango lassis.
There is also a range of market stalls offering clothes, jewellery, henna, and much more.
Workshops
Why not get in on the fun by joining one of the workshops or panels running at the Kelvingrove Bandstand?
There is an interactive panel discussion about the importance of food stories for Asian cultural identity.
Author Nadine Aisha Jassat will also hold a talk about the inspiration behind her children’s novels. You will have the chance to come up with your own ideas as part of the session.
Or bring a piece of old clothing to the bandstand in the afternoon and take part in an upcycling workshop with Mridula Sharma.
If music is more your bag, then you’ll love the Glasgow Mela Big Singalong. Glasgow Sitare, a singing group for South Asian women, will help you learn Bollywood and Hindi film songs.
Sport
The Glasgow Mela may be best known for its music, dancing, and culinary delights. However, there is also an opportunity for people to try out different sports.
Get yourself to the Kelvingrove tennis courts and bowling green for a chance to play hockey, kabaddi, badminton, and volleyball.
There is also fencing and other sporting activities, including archery in the park.
Dance
As well as music, there are also spectacular dance acts at the Glasgow Mela. These range from The Ghungroo Dance Revolution to the Abhinaya Dance Academy.
Abhinaya students who have achieved Arangetram will take to the stage at the Mela for the first time. Arangetram is a debut performance marking their readiness as soloists after years of training.
The Ghungroo Dance Revolution will be performing a piece based on Navras, the nine fundamental emotions that form the essence of artistic expression.
Getting there
If you’re planning on driving, there are limited spaces at Lilybank Gardens, Kelvinbridge and Bunhouse Street.
Public transport is also available. The nearest subway stations to the park are Kelvin Hall and Kelvinbridge.
The first Glasgow Mela was in 1990 as part of the city’s celebrations as the European City of Culture. The event is now one of the largest in the country, with thousands of people attending each year.
You can find more information about the 2024 Glasgow Mela by visiting www.glasgowlife.org.uk
From the farm's latest arrivals to the ever-popular historic farm house and museum, there’s plenty of family fun to be had at the National Museum of Rural Life!
READ MOREWith just one month to go until ButeFest 2024, the much-loved boutique family-friendly music festival on the Isle of Bute, is gearing up for this year’s edition with a fun-filled weekend.
READ MOREFly away to Neverland this summer with the National Trust for Scotland as it stages a new musical production of Peter Pan in the beautiful surroundings of Greenbank House and Garden!
READ MOREChildren have flocked to Silverburn's Flamingo Beach which has returned bigger and better for 2024!
READ MOREBorders' jewel announces sensational line-up of world-class bands for summer music spectacular.
READ MOREOne of the world's oldest celebrations of contemporary classical music and sound, Nordic Music Days takes place in Scotland for the first time in its 136-year history!
READ MOREPopeyes® fans in Glasgow can get their hands on the famous Louisiana Chicken Sandwich from Friday 5 July!
READ MOREThe summer holidays are upon us, and if you're looking for fun family entertainment look no further than The Lion Inside, coming to the Pavilion Theatre on 2nd-4th July!
READ MOREScotland's biggest night of traditional music, Hoolie in the Hydro, will return to Glasgow's iconic OVO Hydro on Saturday 7th December 2024 to commemorate 100 years of Scottish music.
READ MOREBuchanan Galleries is inviting shoppers to stock up on school holiday supplies and keep the kids entertained this summer with a free stationery pack from Smiggle.
READ MOREAfter much anticipation, chef Gary Townsend is set to open his first solo dining venture. Elements, a local, fine dining restaurant in Glasgow's Bearsden will launch on the 11th of July.
READ MOREMAISON by Glaschu, in Glasgow city centre, is celebrating Bastille Day on Sunday 14th of July with a special menu with just one dish on it - steak frites.
READ MOREGlasgow Jazz Festival enjoyed a successful return for its 38th edition in the city. The festival took place from Wednesday 19th and drew to a close in style last night, Sunday 23rd June 2024.
READ MOREOne of Glasgow's most iconic hotels has launched a trio of delicious new menus at its popular bar and lounge ahead of summer.
READ MOREThe 2024 Glasgow Mela attracted a crowd of 40,000, with people enjoying a jam-packed day of free music, dance, and arts.
READ MOREFestival organisers have unveiled a guide to get ready ahead of the big weekend, including stage times, site map and travel details.
READ MORESummerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 6th and 7th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MORENot a fan of the footie? Golf Fang Glasgow are here to keep you entertained!
READ MOREA new £100,000 cultural fund has been launched as part Glasgow's 850th celebrations next year.
READ MOREThis Saturday, June 22nd, Helensburgh will come alive with it's Midsummer Magic Festival, a celebration of summer fun for the whole family!
READ MOREVue has announced the latest set of family-friendly blockbusters arriving this summer, as well as a number of new ways for families and kids of all ages to enjoy time together at the big screen!
READ MOREGarden Centre offers free summer plant care workshops across its stores.
READ MOREScots entrepreneurs celebrate exciting new addition to Glasgow's retail scene.
READ MOREFans in Glasgow will finally be able to get their hands on the Chicken Sandwich that 'broke the internet' this July!
READ MOREThe reopening date for the newly restored Elder Park Library has been confirmed.
READ MOREAsda Scotland delivery drivers wear ‘Happy to Chat about the game’ badges to help tackle loneliness during summer of sport
READ MOREGlasgow City Council has revealed the new brand behind its plans to mark the city's 850th birthday, in 2025.
READ MOREDobbies is inviting families to roll out the picnic blanket and gather around this summer as it unveils its brand-new event, Teddy Bears' Picnic.
READ MOREVoices from around the world who have made Scotland their home will be raised in celebration and unity at a special concert as part of Refugee Festival Scotland later this week.
READ MOREGlasgow Jazz Festival launches today with performances from some of the biggest names in jazz set to be hosted in the city across the iconic five day event.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"