Glasgow Festivals
Glasgow's reputation as 'The Friendly City' is reflected in a wide range of festivals covering all of the art forms and in an extensive programme of cultural and sporting events.
JANUARY
Celtic Connections
Glasgow's annual festival of contemporary and traditional celtic music.
Celtic Connections Website
FEBRUARY
New Territories
Annual festival of contemporary dance and live art presented by New Moves International.
Tramway and other venues.
Phone: 0845 330 3501
New Moves Website
Glasgow Film Festival 2008
14 - 24 February
The first festival was held in 2005. The festival celebrates the passion the people of Glasgow have for the movies and the passion the film industry has for the city.
Phone: 0141 332 6535
Glasgow Film Festival Website
MARCH
Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2008
Thursday 6th - Sunday 23rd March
Launched in 2003, this hugely successful festival takes place in a variety of venues throughout the city.
Phone: 0141 552 207
Glasgow International Comedy Festival Website
Aye Write! Bank of Scotland Book Festival 2008
Friday 7 - Saturday 15 March 2008.
Glasgow's very own book festival, taking place in the Mitchell Library, is now in its third year. Go to www.ayewrite.com for full details and to sign up for E-news.
Glasgow Art Fair 2008
The 2008 Glasgow Art Fair will take place in George Square, Glasgow from 27th - 30th March. This popular event, now in its 13th year, presents a diverse range of artwork from galleries throughout the UK and beyond. Full information about the event can be found at www.glasgowartfair.com
APRIL
Triptych
April 2008
Various venues
Music Festival embracing genres as diverse as Indie, Jazz, Neo-Classical, Reggae and Dance.
Triptych Website
MAY
Maydaze 2008
City Halls/Old Fruitmarket
Beginning with the traditional Mayday Rally and culminating in a family event within the City Halls and Old Fruitmarket, Maydaze presents a high profile programme of traditional and contemporary music, community performances and special events.
Resolution Asset Management Women's 10K
Sunday May 18 2008
The race follows a picturesque route around the South Side of Glasgow (including an internal route through Pollok Park) and finishes at Bellahouston Park.
Phone: 0845 2700 166
Run Glasgow Website has information about where the race takes place and how to enter.
JUNE
West End Festival
Friday 13 - Sunday 29 June 2008
Having started off as a small local festival centred around Byres Road, this has now grown over the past 10 years to become one of the biggest cultural events in Glasgow's calendar.
Phone: 0141 341 0844
West End Festival Website
Glasgow Mela
22 June 2008
Kelvingrove Park
The Mela (meaning 'gathering' in Sanskrit) is organised by the The Scottish Academy of Asian Arts and is a high profile multicultural music and dance festival for the West of Scotland.
Glasgow International Jazz Festival
20 -29 June 2008
Annual Jazz Festival highlighting performers from around the world.
Phone: 0141 552 3552
Glasgow International Jazz Festival Website
JULY
North Glasgow International Festival
Based in Sighthill, this festival was set up to promote integration and harmony by celebrating cultural diversity within the local community. A family-orientated day, usually at the beginning of June, with a children's tent and stage, sports arena and children's rides as well as music, dance and food from all around the world. For more information:
Phone: 0141 532 4101
Glasgow River Festival
19 - 28 July 2008
The hugely popular Glasgow River Festival provides a colourful opportunity to celebrate the past, present and future of Glasgow's historic waterfront with two days of free family entertainment. A mixture of water and land activities and entertainment in and around the SECC, Glasgow Science Centre and The Tall Ship 'Glenee'.
Glasgow River Festival Website
AUGUST
Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival
11 -17 August 2008
Piping Live festival began in 2004. It features some of the biggest names in Scottish and international piping, in outdoor spaces and venues throughout Glasgow.
Visit the website: Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival
World Pipe Band Championships
Saturday 16 August 2008
The World Pipe Band Championships is the major event in the piping world and the competition culminates in a spectacular March Past of all competitors. Typically, over 5,000 musicians (230 bands) take part from all over the world, including Canada, USA, Australia, Oman and Tokyo.
Visit the website: World Pipe Band Championships
SEPTEMBER
FRESH 'N' LO Great Scottish Run
Sunday 7 September 2008
Junior 3k, Saturday 6 September 2008
Each year Glasgow plays host to one of the largest participative events in Scotland - runners can choose between the half marathon, 10k or Junior 3K. The race takes runners past some of the city's most famous attractions and will again feature the hugely popular run over the Kingston Bridge, before finishing in Glasgow Green.
Phone: 0845 2700 166
Run Glasgow Website has information about where the race takes place and how to enter.
Doors Open Day
A unique chance for the public to visit some of Glasgow's most interesting buildings over one weekend in September. Organised by the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust.
Phone: 0141 221 6061
Glasgow Building Preservation Trust Website
Merchant City Festival
Thursday 25 - Monday 28 September 2008
The Merchant City Festival presents a programme of film, theatre, comedy, visual arts, street theatre, live music, food and fashion - all taking place amidst the architectural elegance of the Merchant City.
Phone: 0141 552 6027
Merchant City Website
OCTOBER
Glasgay!
1 October - 9 November 2008
Scotland's annual celebration of queer culture with events spanning comedy, film, visual art, performance and community arts projects.
Phone: 0141 552 7575/8
Glasgay! Website
Inspiration
This annual festival of the arts for children and young people is now in its 10th year. There are family days, performances, workshops, events and activities for pre-5s and primary schoolchildren.
For more information contact:
Arts Development Officer for Children and Young People,
Phone: 0141 287 9843
NOVEMBER
Glasgow Fireworks
Monday 5 November 2008
Glasgow Fireworks is a colourful and spectacular display which is unparalleled in the United Kingdom. The event, which is set to music, has the city’s famous Winter Gardens as a key cultural icon and is supported by a high profile programme of entertainment and fun. Glasgow Fireworks offers both the people of Glasgow and visitors to the city with a free, safe, family focused evening of entertainment.
DECEMBER
Glasgow on Ice
November/December 2008
George Square
This event provides residents and visitors with the opportunity to skate on one of the largest outdoor rinks in Europe whilst taking in the Christmas Lights, nativity and famous City Chambers. The programme also includes special ice discos, themed evenings, Santa’s Grotto, café/concessions and traditional children’s rides.
Glasgow's Hogmanay
Wednesday 31st December 2008, George Square
Glasgow celebrates Hogmanay in style as thousands of revellers descend on George Square to celebrate the New Year in style. The music-based programme presents a mixture of high profile Scottish, popular and rock music.