Glasgow’s events calendar runs year-round, anchored by the city’s status as a UNESCO City of Music and its deep festival tradition. The biggest events cluster between May and August, but you’ll find major festivals in March, September, and December too. Plan accommodation well ahead for TRNSMT weekend in July and for Hogmanay. See our Glasgow Weather By Month for more details.
Glasgow Events & Festivals: Spring (March to May)
Glasgow Film Festival
Runs for 12 days from late February into early March. Screens around 200 films at the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT, 12 Rose Street), CCA (350 Sauchiehall Street), and pop-up venues across the city. The programme spans international arthouse releases, retrospectives, and Scottish premieres. Individual tickets £8 to £12, festival passes from £60. The GFT bar at 12 Rose Street is the festival hub for post-screening discussion. The 2026 edition runs 25 February to 8 March. See our Glasgow Best Time To Visit for more details.
Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Europe’s largest comedy festival runs for 18 days across March. Over 500 shows take place at the King’s Theatre (297 Bath Street), Oran Mor (West End), The Stand Comedy Club (333 Woodlands Road), and the SEC Armadillo. Headliners from UK and international circuits alongside emerging acts. Tickets £10 to £35 depending on the act. The Stand is the best venue for discovering new Scottish comedians. Book through glasgowcomedyfestival.com. See our Glasgow Things To Do for more details.
Glasgow International (Visual Art Festival)
A biennial contemporary art festival running April to early June in even-numbered years (next: 2026). Exhibitions, installations, and performances across the Gallery of Modern Art, Tramway (25 Albert Drive, Southside), and artist-run spaces throughout the city. Most exhibitions are free. The festival directory and map are available at GoMA in Queen Street. See our Glasgow Neighborhoods for more details.
Glasgow Events & Festivals: Summer (June to August)
West End Festival
Runs through June with the headline West End Festival Parade along Byres Road. Live music, street food, children’s activities, and open-air performances in Kelvingrove Park. Most events are free. The parade draws 50,000 to 60,000 spectators. Check the festival website for the exact parade date, typically the second Sunday of June. See our Glasgow Where To Stay for more details.
TRNSMT Festival
Glasgow’s biggest music festival occupies Glasgow Green for three days in early July (typically the second weekend). Draws 50,000 per day across three stages with major rock, indie, and pop headliners. Day tickets start around £70, weekend tickets from £180. Glasgow Green is a 10-minute walk from the city centre (nearest station: Argyle Street or Bridgeton). Hotels across the city sell out completely. Book accommodation by March if you’re attending. The area around Glasgow Green gets very busy and mobile signal can be patchy, so download tickets beforehand. See our Glasgow Travel Tips Faq for more details.
World Pipe Band Championships
Takes place over two days in mid-August at Glasgow Green. Over 200 pipe bands from 15+ countries compete, drawing 40,000 spectators. Tickets from £15 to £25. The Grade 1 final on Saturday afternoon is the highlight. Food stalls and a beer tent operate on site. Glasgow Green is a 10-minute walk from the city centre. See our Glasgow travel guide for more details.
Merchant City Festival
A late July weekend festival in Glasgow’s historic Merchant City quarter. Street theatre, live music on outdoor stages, food and drink markets, and family activities spread across streets and venues including the Briggait and the Old Fruitmarket. Free entry to most events. The Merchant City is a 5-minute walk from George Square.
Glasgow Events & Festivals: Winter (November to December)
Glasgow Christmas Markets
Two main markets operate from mid-November through Christmas Eve (24 December). George Square hosts the larger market with 50+ stalls selling crafts, gifts, and food, plus an ice rink (£8 to £12 per session). St Enoch Square runs a smaller market with a focus on food and drink. Both are free to enter. Open daily 10:00 to 21:00 (closes earlier on Christmas Eve). The lights switch-on ceremony in George Square happens on the third Sunday of November. Crowds are heaviest on weekends from 14:00 to 18:00.
Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve)
Glasgow celebrates Hogmanay with street parties, pub gatherings, and fireworks. The main celebration takes place in the city centre around George Square and Merchant City, with ticketed events at bars and clubs throughout the city. Many pubs require advance tickets (£10 to £30) for Hogmanay entry. The Subway runs extended hours until around 01:00. January 1 and 2 are both public holidays in Scotland, so many shops and attractions operate on reduced hours or close entirely on January 1. Check opening times before heading out.
