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
January 2010
Glasgow's annual festival of contemporary and traditional celtic music.
Celtic Connections Website
FEBRUARY
New Territories
Thursday 11 February to Saturday 21 March 2010
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
Thursday 18 to Sunday 28 February 2010
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 2010
Thursday 11 to Sunday 28 March 2010
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! Glasgow's Book Festival
Friday 5 March to Saturday 13 March 2010
Glasgow's very own book festival, taking place in the Mitchell Library, is now in its fourth year. Go to www.ayewrite.com for full details and to sign up for E-news 2010.
APRIL
Glasgow Art Fair 2010
April 2010
The 2008 Glasgow Art Fair will take place in George Square, Glasgow. 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
MAY
Ignis Asset Management Women's 10K
Sunday 9 May 2010
Bellahouston Park
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.
Southside Festival
Saturday 22 May 2010
Queens Park
In 2008 Queens Park hosted the first ever Southside Festival, attracting over 8000 people on the day. The Festival is a celebration of everything which is great about the Southside of Glasgow and aims to celebrate the cultural diversity and community spirit of this unique area of the city.
For more details contact southsidefestival@hotmail.co.uk
or visit the Southside Festival website
JUNE
West End Festival 2010
Saturday 12 to Sunday 27 June 2010
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 2010
Sunday 20 June 2010
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 2010
Friday 18 to Sunday 27 June 2010
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 Festival on the Clyde
Date to be confirmed
River Clyde
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 Festival on the Clyde Website
AUGUST
Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival 2010
Monday 9 to Sunday 15 August 2010
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 2010
Saturday 14 August 2010
Glasgow Green
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
Great Scottish Run 2010
Saturday 4 and Sunday 5eptember 2010
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 2010
Tuesday 16 to Sunday 20 September 2010
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 2010
Dates to be confirmed
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!
Thursday 7 to Sunday 7 November 2010
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 Festival 2010
Dates to be confirmed
This annual festival of the arts for children and young people is now in its 12th 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
Friday 5 November 2010
Glasgow Green
Glasgow Fireworks is a colourful and spectacular display which is unparalleled in the United Kingdom.
The event, which is held at Glasgow Green, is set to music 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 a free, safe, family focused evening of entertainment. For more information.
DECEMBER
Glasgow on Ice
November 2010 to January 2011
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
Friday 31 December 2010
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.