CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Govanhill International Festival and Carnival

The Govanhill International Festival and Carnival 2025 returns for its 9th year, celebrating creativity, solidarity, and liberation, from Friday 1st August to Sunday 10th August!

Govanhill International Festival and Carnival

About Govanhill International Festival and Carnival

Organised by Govanhill Baths Community Trust, this year’s festival unfolds as the Baths undergo major renovation, transforming into a Wellbeing Centre shaped by over two decades of community action.

In Govanhill, wellbeing isn’t handed down — it’s built together. From the 2001 occupation to today, the fight for space, dignity and care has never been separated from creativity.

GIFC is a celebration of that spirit. A gathering of artists, organisers, neighbours old and new — not as audiences, but as collaborators. It’s where civic life and artistic life meet. Where anti-racism isn’t a theme, but a practice for the everyday.

Festival Highlights

Parade & Carnival 2025
— A joyful procession of samba bands, lion dancers, street drums and handmade banners (plus a unicorn!) winding through the streets to Govanhill Park.

Govanhill Street Music Festival — The Govanhill International Carnival Parade returns on Saturday 2 August, and you’re invited to walk, dance, play and move alongside your neighbours in a powerful, joyful display of community solidarity. Beginning at Queen’s Park and winding its way to Govanhill Park, the parade transforms our streets into a stage for collective pride, shared rhythm and radical togetherness.

This year’s procession brings together an extraordinary cast of local and international collaborators – from the thunderous drums of Bloco Dardara and the vibrant moves of Latino Dance Project, to artists, activists and community members co-creating something greater than the sum of its parts. A grassroots takeover featuring tropical rhythms, punk folk, sound systems, spoken word and experimental noise sharing the same pavements.

Govanhill Book Festival — The ever-popular Govanhill Book Festival will return to Queen’s Park Govanhill Parish Church. Opening with Nicola Sturgeon in conversation with Book Festival Director Jim Monaghan, A packed second day hosts talks from poets, performers, theathre maker and artists, culminating in a showcase of exciting contemporary Palestinian voices from Gaza, Galilee and New York.

Palestine Arts Delegation — A powerful celebration of Palestinian culture featuring dance, performance, poetry, traditional music, and underground DJ sets, a discussion on textile industry resistance. These events connect Palestinian craft traditions to contemporary artistic resistance and liberation.

Irish Roots — Working-class migration histories come alive through The Derry Boat to Donegal Hill Heritage Trail, writer talks, and traditional singing circles. Experience Irish language and culture through intimate taster sessions and community events.

Gaelic Heritage — Celebrate Gaelic traditions through children’s language sessions and inspiring talks with Gaelic authors.

Sponsored Links

Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Glasgow City Council
Hilton Glasgow
City Sightseeing Glasgow
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Fayre Play
Open Pass Scotland

Similar events you might like...

Friends of Forth and Clyde Social Group

Friends of Forth and Clyde Social Group

Selected dates between 24th January 2025 - 27th December 2025

Come along to Friends of Forth and Clyde's Social Group on Fridays for a heat, a chat or some peace and quiet - your choice!

READ MORE
Full House Fridays: Bingo At Platform

Full House Fridays: Bingo At Platform

Selected dates between 29th August 2025 - 19th December 2025

Join Platform Glasgow every Friday afternoon for a game of bingo, bowl of soup, special guests, surprises and plenty of prizes!

READ MORE
Make Do

Make Do

Selected dates between 30th August 2025 - 29th November 2025

Curated by artist Rebecca Fraser, Make Do are monthly gatherings at Platform, The Bridge Cafe Bar and library areas, celebrating local resources and exchanging skills!

READ MORE
Vision Zone Glasgow Supporting Sight Loss

Vision Zone Glasgow Supporting Sight Loss

3rd September 2025

Vision Zone events bring together a variety of excellent services and charities covering your local area.

READ MORE
Newlands Fete

Newlands Fete

6th September 2025

The much loved Newlands Fete is back on Saturday 6th September... a fun-filled community fair in the heart of Newlands, raising funds for local causes & bringing everyone together!

READ MORE
French Conversation in Glasgow

French Conversation in Glasgow

Selected dates between 6th September 2025 - 6th December 2025

The French Conversation in Glasgow group meets on the first Saturday of the month when those who speak French get together for a chat in French!

READ MORE
Southside SOUP #1

Southside SOUP #1

17th September 2025

Join Glasgow SOUP for the launch of Southside SOUP, a community gathering of good causes, good food and good people.

READ MORE
Doors Open Days: Couper Institute

Doors Open Days: Couper Institute

18th September 2025 - 20th September 2025

See behind the scenes of the historic Couper Institute in partnership with Glasgow Life as part of Doors Open Day 2025!

READ MORE
Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival

Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival

18th September 2025 - 21st September 2025
Various Locations Glasgow

Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival is an annual event celebrating the city's architecture, culture, and heritage through a free programme of open buildings and events taking place in September!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

King Pins
Children's Classic Concerts
Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel
East Renfrewshire Culture
Link
ATG
Hostelworld

Find other events in Glasgow

Sponsored Links

Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Glasgow City Council
Hilton Glasgow
City Sightseeing Glasgow
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Fayre Play
Open Pass Scotland
King Pins
Children's Classic Concerts
Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel
East Renfrewshire Culture
Link
ATG
Hostelworld

Popular Events

GlasGLOW
This Halloween season, the city we love turns 850 and GlasGLOW are throwing one GLOW-rious celebration with an all-new 60-minute blockbuster light and sound show at the Botanic Gardens!
Spooktacular
Glasgow's biggest Halloween experience returns this October, running from 3rd - 26th October, at a brand new location that promises to take the fright factor up a notch!
A Play, A Pie and A Pint Autumn Season
With wonderful musicals, hilarious comedies and thrilling dramas, there is plenty of great treats to tuck into this Autumn at A Play, A Pie and A Pint!
Rick Astley
Rick Astley will kick off his 2026 arena tour at Glasgow's OVO Hydro on Friday 10th April where he'll be joined by special guest, Gabrielle!
Pollok vs Renfrew
Enjoy football from Scotland's sixth tier, as Pollok and Renfrew meet in league action for the first time in over 6 years, with both teams looking to climb the league table.

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro