The Best Festivals in Glasgow I Look Forward to Every Year!
One of the best things about living in Glasgow is that there’s always something happening. Pretty much every month, you’ll find a festival popping up somewhere in the city.
Whether it’s music, food, film, or art, there’s always something new to see and do. It keeps things exciting, no matter how long you’ve lived here. And if you’re just visiting, it’s a great way to experience the city’s vibe.
To help you make the most of it, I’ve pulled together a list of some of the best festivals in Glasgow!
Celtic Connections
– Photo credit: celtic_connections
Website: https://www.celticconnections.com/
Where: The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Killermont St
When: January to February
Here in Glasgow, we like to kick off the year with a bit of flair. And nothing sets the tone quite like Celtic Connections. Every January, this massive music festival sweeps through the city with a line-up that’s full of surprises.
What really sets it apart is the variety. You’ll see a lot, from big jazz orchestras and Gaelic singing to Indian classical performances, all in the same program. There’s also a strong focus on new talent and unexpected collaborations.
You might head into a venue expecting a mellow folk session and end up in the middle of a global jam with artists from various countries. It’s far from your usual gig night, and that’s exactly why it should be one of your most anticipated events here.
Pro tip: Try to catch one of the late-night Festival Club sessions. These usually happen after the main shows finish, often at spots like Drygate or the Exhibition Hall at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. It’s a brilliant way to end the night, since artists from earlier gigs sometimes drop in for surprise sets or impromptu collaborations.
Jazz Festival
– Photo credit: glasgowjazzfest
Website: https://www.jazzfest.co.uk/
Where: Merchant City
When: June
Another music-focused festival worth keeping on your radar is the Glasgow Jazz Festival. It’s been a city staple since 1987 and rolls around every June, just as Glasgow starts to shake off the last of the grey skies and lean into summer.
What I love most about this festival is how spontaneous and full of life it feels. You’ll get the big-name acts in the Merchant City, sure, but you’ll also stumble across gigs in the most unexpected spots—basement bars, record shops, and even cafes!
I’ve been catching their shows year after year, and there are a few performances that really stuck with me. One example is Fat-Suit. Their take on video game OSTs, completely reimagined as jazz pieces, absolutely hit the nostalgic sweet spot for me.
Pro tip: If you’re keen to get your music on the Glasgow Jazz Festival stage, consider sending in a submission. You can email your details and links to [email protected] for a chance to be a part of next year’s line-up.
Full submission guidelines and requirements are available on this website, so be sure to check it out before applying.
Merchant City Festival
– Photo credit: aswadsworld
Website: https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/merchant-city-festival
Where: Merchant City
When: Mid to late July
The Merchant City Festival is easily one of the liveliest weekends in Glasgow’s summer. Every July, it fills the district with street theatre, live music, food stalls, market pop-ups, and all kinds of unexpected performances.
I love it simply because of how open and easy it is to enjoy. Most of it is free, and with the streets closed off for the weekend, you can just wander around and stumble into something great.
Out of all the years I’ve been, the 2024 edition stands out the most. The energy was unreal, with circus acts flipping through the air, huge puppets weaving through the crowd, and dancefloors popping up everywhere. It felt chaotic in a fun way.
Pro tip: Follow the Merchant City Festival’s official Facebook page. It’s the easiest way to stay in the loop on everything, including line-up announcements, event times, food vendor updates, and any last-minute changes.
World Pipe Band Championships
– Photo credit: worldpipebandchampionship
Website: https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/
Where: Glasgow Green, Greendyke St, Saltmarket
When: Mid-August
If bagpipes are the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Scotland, you’re not alone. We love them so much that we have a competition dedicated to them. It’s called the World Pipe Band Championships, and it takes place every August.
The event has been running since the 1940s and brings together more than 200 pipe bands from all over the world. Because there are no entry qualifications, you get to hear a wide range of performances, each one offering something different.
I checked it out in 2023 just to see what the fuss was about and ended up staying most of the day. The standard of the top bands was unbelievable, especially during the medley sets. Even if you’re not a fan of piping, it has a way of drawing you in.
Pro tip: Can’t make it to Glasgow Green? You can still catch the action live. The World Pipe Band Championships streams the Grade 1 competitions online each year, with Friday’s events covered by Glasgow Life and Saturday’s finals broadcast by BBC Scotland.
West End Festival
– Photo credit: westfestgla
Website: https://westfest.uk/
Where: Multiple locations in the West End
When: June
The West End Festival, now called WestFest, is another summer festival in Glasgow you should definitely check out. It started in 1996 as a small local celebration around Byres Road and has grown into one of the city’s biggest festivals.
Today, it features more than 150 events across Kelvingrove Park, the Botanic Gardens, Mansfield Park, and plenty of other spots. You’ll even find performances in churches, libraries, cafés, and right on the streets.
Since it’s hard to miss, I usually end up catching a few events each year. One I really enjoyed was the Live Music Thursdays at Grosvenor Café in 2025. The atmosphere was so relaxing, and it was a good way to wind down with a pint in hand.
Pro tip: Prioritise the illustrated talks at Kelvin Hall. They’re easy to overlook with all the music and outdoor events, but they offer a deeper look into Glasgow’s culture, history, and creative scene. Check WestFest’s website a few days before June to see when they’re scheduled and plan around the ones that interest you.
TRNSMT
– Photo credit: trnsmtfest
Website: https://trnsmtfest.com/
Where: Glasgow Green, Greendyke St, Saltmarket
When: Mid-July
No list of Glasgow festivals would feel complete without mentioning TRNSMT, one of the city’s biggest music events. It takes place every July in Glasgow Green and brings together major headliners, local talent, and a lively crowd from all over.
Over the years, TRNSMT has hosted acts like Radiohead, Lewis Capaldi, Sam Fender, and Pulp. The festival usually features four main stages and a wide range of genres, from rock and pop to hip-hop and electronic.
I went in 2023 and saw Pulp and Sam Fender on the same day. The energy was electric, and the crowd was fully into it. They had street food available right inside the venue, so I was able to keep going all day without needing to leave the fun.
Pro tip: Download the official TRNSMT app on either the App Store or the Play Store before the festival kicks off. It gives you the full line-up, stage times, a site map, food and drink menus, and pricing. It even has a personalised schedule feature, so you can pick your favourite acts and get reminders before they go on.
Glasgow Science Festival
– Photo credit: glascifest
Website: https://www.gla.ac.uk/events/sciencefestival/
Where: University Of Glasgow, 89 Dumbarton Rd
When: Early to mid June
Looking to attend a festival that’s more mentally engaging? Then make sure to check out the Glasgow Science Festival, which is held every June and offers hands-on activities, talks, comedy shows, and film screenings—most of it free.
Events are spread across the city, but the University of Glasgow is usually the main hub. Other key spots include Kelvingrove Museum, Riverside Museum, the Botanic Gardens, and local libraries.
I usually only manage to catch a few events since June is packed with other festivals. But one that stuck with me was a demo at the Botanic Gardens showing how plants respond to sound. It was simple yet surprisingly fascinating!
Pro tip: If you can’t make it to the Glasgow Science Festival in person, check out their Science on the Sofa program. It runs online for the entire month of June and features videos, experiments, and activities you can try from home. It’s a good way to dip into the festival at your own pace, especially if you’re short on time.
Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival
– Photo credit: glasgowdodf
Website: https://glasgowdoorsopendays.org.uk/
Where: Multiple venues across Glasgow
When: Mid-September
Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival is one of my favourite annual festivals. It taps into that sense of curiosity by giving you free access to buildings that are usually closed to the public.
The festival began in 1990 as part of the city’s push to celebrate its heritage. There’s no main venue. Instead, you’re free to explore historic buildings, churches, studios, cultural spaces, and more across Glasgow.
I usually try to visit at least ten spots when the festival comes around. I’m especially drawn to the ones with in-person trails because they give you a better sense of the building’s story and its place in Glasgow’s history.
Pro tip: Book ahead for the most popular spots. While many buildings at the Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival are open for walk-ins, some of the most in-demand ones, like the Barrowland Ballroom and Arlington Baths, require advance booking.
If you’re eyeing a specific place, check the festival’s website in late August and grab your slot as soon as bookings go live.
Glasgow International Comedy Festival
– Photo credit: glasgowcomedy
Website: https://www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com/
Where: Multiple venues across Glasgow
When: March
Glasgow International Comedy Festival runs every March and has been going strong since 2002. It’s now one of the biggest comedy festivals in Europe, with hundreds of shows across more than 50 venues in the city.
You’ll find acts in theatres like King’s and Barrowland Ballroom, but also in smaller spaces like The Stand Comedy Club and local pubs. With so much going on across the city, it’s easy to catch a show even if you’re not looking for one.
One thing that always stands out to me is how many well-known comedians kicked off their careers here. Kevin Bridges, for example, did his first solo performance at the 2006 edition of the festival.
Pro tip: Sign up for the festival’s newsletter before March. It’s one of the easiest ways to get early access to ticket releases, discount codes, and last-minute show announcements. It’s also how they share perks like free First Bus travel for ticketholders, which can save you a bit if you’re hopping between venues.