Glasgow counts down to premier winter festival Celtic Connections 2025
Glasgow, a UNESCO City of Music, is counting down to hosting the premier winter festival Celtic Connections, in partnership with Innis & Gunn.
Article Source: Celtic Connections
Last Updated: 7 January 2025 9:43
In less than two weeks, the city will be brimming with the world’s best roots, world and folk music.
An estimated 1,200 musicians and artists from 20 countries will be in Glasgow between Thursday 16 January and Sunday 2 February. Around 300 events will take place in 25 venues across the city as part of the internationally renowned event delivered by Glasgow Life.
Celtic Connections is a truly global showcase. The performers descending on Glasgow are coming from as far as Australia, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Bulgaria and many more countries for another of the festival’s most extensive editions to date.
The glittering bill features one-off commissions and collaborations, debut performances and premiers, internationally renowned artists, and the biggest shows some musicians have ever staged. There will also be ceilidhs, workshops, screenings, book launches, dementia-friendly performances, recitals, and talks.
Months of careful planning for the 32nd edition of Celtic Connections are almost complete as the festival gears up for attendances in the region of 110,000 across its 18 days. People from near and far will be drawn out on the dark winter nights for the unparalleled, shared experience of live music and the emotion, joy, connection and magic it ignites.
Celtic Connections 2025 will open with its iconic Opening Concert, this year celebrating 850 years of its home, Glasgow. With a secret line up that’s under wraps, the show will epitomise the city’s motto – Let Glasgow Flourish – and give audiences moment after moment of unexpected delight.
From there, a myriad of performances and activities – up to 33 a day – will follow. With everything from acoustic and folk music and roots, Americana and indie to world, jazz and blues and experimental and orchestral music on offer, the festival’s genres and audience are vast.
Always keen to be at the forefront of innovation, a new Under 26 Community launched for the 2025 festival, giving younger fans access to exclusive discounts. The Emirates Arena will also be piloted as a music venue, and 2025 marks the start of a new five-year headline partnership deal with fellow Scottish household name Innis & Gunn.
Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for Celtic Connections, said: “With this festival, the clue is in the name – it’s all about connection and the sense of belonging and joy that comes with that. Dark, dreary January nights are replaced with rooms full of song and an unbeatable warmth that Glasgow’s people and music are famed for. As the festival continues to break new ground in our programming, scale and ambition, it’s incredible to see more new faces join us in the audience each year. There’s 18 days, 10 genres, 25 venues and 1,200 musicians – audiences really are spoiled for choice. We would encourage everyone to make sure they experience it for themselves and start their year being moved, cheered and amazed by the power of music.”
Celtic Connections first began in 1994 and has grown in size and ambition ever since, building an international reputation for world-renowned music, exciting new performances, unique showcases and one-off collaborations.
Celtic Connections 2025 in partnership with Innis & Gunn will take place from Thursday 16 January to Sunday 2 February. The programme can be viewed in full and tickets purchased at www.celticconnections.com
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Lychee Oriental expands with second Glasgow location
Lychee Oriental, Glasgow's modern Cantonese restaurant, will launch its second location in the city's Southside tomorrow.
READ MORE
Fun for all the family at the 36th annual Scottish Game Fair
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.
READ MORE
PAWsitive Vibes Only: Bookface Sip, Swap & Support for Refuweegee... and Dogs are Welcome!
Calling all bookworms and their four-legged friends... this could be the ulti-mutt afternoon you've been waiting for!
READ MORE
Thousands of school children get taste for Glasgow 850 celebrations
Glasgow children are getting behind their city’s 850th birthday celebrations as a week-long Glasgow 850 Schools' Festival gets underway at primary schools across the city.
READ MORE
Free Glorious Grass gardening workshop for children at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.
READ MORE
Market set to bring flavours and crafts from around the world to Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Shores is hosting a continental market on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of May!
READ MORE
The Big Yin! Hoolie in the Hydro to applaud Glasgow legend Sir Billy Connolly
Scotland's biggest night of traditional music Hoolie in the Hydro will celebrate Glasgow comedy and folk music legend Sir Billy Connolly in larger-than-life style later this year!
READ MORE
Extra Event: NY Times Bestselling Author Lisa Jewell heads to the Bookface Sip & Swap in Glasgow
Due to high demand, an extra Bookface Sip & Swap event with Lisa Jewell will take place on Tuesday 8th July at Saints of Ingram, Glasgow, from 12.30–3.30pm.
READ MORE
Kiltwalk celebrates fundraising milestone as Glasgow hits record numbers
Glasgow Kiltwalk 2025 attracted so many kind-hearted walkers this weekend that organisers had to add an extra day to create the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk!
READ MORE
Barrowland Ballet take over Scotland with two shows this year
Award-winning dance company Barrowland Ballet present world premiere of Wee Man and the revival of Chunky Jewellery, ahead of Edinburgh Festival Fringe transfers this year.
READ MORE
30,000 Expected as Ashton Lane Street Party Returns for West End Fest 2025
The epic Ashton Lane Summer Street Party is back for West End Fest 2025, taking over the cobbled lane for a full weekend of live music, street performers, DJs, street food and alfresco drinks!
READ MORE
Line up announced for Laugh In The Park
Laugh in the Park, Glasgow Southside's annual comedy festival, has announced their line up featuring nine of the absolute best performers to be found in Scotland!
READ MORE
Somewhere by Nico launches its first ever Cocktail Festival in Glasgow and Edinburgh
Cocktail Festival will serve customers £5 cocktails highlighting signature cocktails including the classics we all love, from Margaritas to Daiquiris!
READ MORE
Strictly star joins cast of Scottish premiere of Fawlty Towers
Casting announced for the critically acclaimed production of Fawlty Towers - The Play, coming to Glasgow's King's Theatre in January!
READ MORE
New Bluey collection comes to cinemas for the May Bank Holiday
Bluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
READ MORE
A new culinary destination has opened at Tarbet, Loch Lomond
Lomond Leisure Group is delighted to announce the opening of Kirk O'The Lochs, a distinctive restaurant and bar nestled in a beautifully restored historic church in Tarbet, Loch Lomond.
READ MORE
Full cast announced for 2:22 A Ghost Story
The King's Theatre, Glasgow is delighted to announce the full 2025 cast for the UK tour of the critically acclaimed, smash hit, supernatural thriller 2:22 - A Ghost Story.
READ MORE
New and exclusive Heritage Planting and Afternoon Tea experience comes to Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.
READ MORE
Dog lovers alert for a fun day out at Loch Lomond
Top Dogs at Loch Lomond Shores is back on Saturday 3rd May with its fun competitions, expert advice and dog-friendly products including accessories, pupcakes and much more!
READ MORE
Stories of inspiring young women sought by charity
The Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.
READ MORE
Your fave panto gang are back!
The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow announce full casting line up for this year's panto, Jock & The Beanstalk!
READ MORE
Glasgow Life confirms 2025 Summer of Events programme
Glasgow Life has unveiled a thrilling 2025 Summer of Events programme which will bring top local, national and international artists, musicians and performers to Glasgow!
READ MORE
Folk pop band Tide Lines stop Glasgow commuters with surprise busk crawl
Glasgow commuters were stopped in their tracks yesterday as folk-pop favourites Tide Lines brought live music to the Subway in a surprise 'busk crawl'.
READ MORE
Bowl for a cause at VEGA
Bowling fans should get their shoes ready as a new monthly charity bowling day launches at VEGA Glasgow's bar, restaurant and alley on the top floor of YOTEL Glasgow.
READ MORE
Six by Nico transforms your meal into a mission, and every guest into an explorer
Building on the success of its immersive experiences, Six by Nico is set to take diners on an adventure across the Six Wonders of the World!
READ MORE
Returning to The Pavilion after two previous sellout runs!
The Irish play described by audiences as the finest, funniest, most heart-breaking piece of theatre they've ever seen returns to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow!
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns next weekend with a supersized celebration
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for its biggest event yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before!
READ MORE
Global fashion brand Pull&Bear debuts first Glasgow store at Silverburn
Spanish fashion label Pull&Bear has joined the line-up at leading retail and leisure destination Silverburn, marking the brand’s Glasgow debut and second store in Scotland.
READ MORE
WestFest is back for its third annual festival this June!
WestFest, Glasgow's biggest community led, cultural festival today launches the programme for its 2025 event!
READ MORE
The Scottish Rum Festival returns to Glasgow to celebrate its 5th anniversary
The Scottish Rum Festival is delighted to announce its return to Glasgow, marking a special milestone – five years since the festival first launched as a virtual celebration in 2020.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links