Citizens Theatre Homecoming Festival
After years of transformation, the Citizens Theatre are throwing their doors open once more with Homecoming – a two-week celebration of creativity, community, and connection!
About Citizens Theatre Homecoming Festival
Image Credit: Alasdair Watson
This is more than a reopening. It’s a return to our roots, a tribute to our heritage, and the beginning of a bold new chapter.
From a joyful street procession to hands-on workshops, open days, and performances, Homecoming invites everyone to be part of the story. Whether you’ve been with us from the start or are stepping inside for the first time, this is your theatre.
Kicking off the celebrations, Gorbals residents are invited to join a vibrant community procession, departing from The Barn at 12.30pm. Together, they’ll make their way to Gorbals Street, crossing the threshold of the Citizens Theatre to reawaken the building and usher in a bold new chapter.
Leading the procession are two specially crafted puppets – Comedy and Tragedy – inspired by two of the Greek goddess statues on top of our building, Melpomene (Tragedy) and Thalia (Comedy). These colourful, larger-than-life characters haven’t had anywhere to play while the Citizens Theatre was closed – but now, they’re finally making their way home. As they travel through some of the new housing that has emerged whilst they've been gone, they'll be joined by community performances and interactive moments, inviting everyone to take part in the story. The procession ends at the new Citizens Theatre, where alongside poetry and song, a co-created living heritage banner will be unveiled – a beautiful artwork made with neighbours and the wider community, celebrating the many voices, cultures, and stories that shape the theatre’s home.
Doors to the Citizens Theatre will then remain open for a full Open House weekend of free celebratory activities, giving the public their first chance in over seven years to step back inside this much-loved building. Everyone is invited to come in, explore, take part and enjoy the space - whether eager to get hands-on with creative workshops, excited to get a moment on the main stage, or simply want to soak up the atmosphere of this iconic venue.
Following the Open House weekend, celebrations continue. Between 28 August and 5 September, bookable activity includes First Look building tours, taster workshops and special events designed to welcome even more people into the newly reopened Citizens Theatre.
Key Dates – Citizens Theatre Homecoming Festival
Saturday 23 August
12.30pm - 2pm
Community Procession
Join the vibrant public celebration that reopens the Citizens Theatre! Starts 12.30pm from The Barn, led by giant puppets and local performers.
Saturday 23 - 2pm – 5pm
Sunday 24 August – 12.30pm - 5pm
Open House Weekend
Step inside the new Citizens Theatre for the first time in 7+ years. Free tours, workshops, pop-up performances and activities for all.
28 August – 5 September
Bookable Festival Events
Creative workshops, First Look tours and taster sessions continue across the building.
From 12 September
Main Stage Reopens
Small Acts of Love premieres. A powerful new play by Frances Poet, with music by Ricky Ross, telling the story of connection and compassion after the Lockerbie atrocity.
From 08 October
Studio Theatre Opens
Close by the Citizens Theatre Young Co
Making Your Mark by the Citizens Theatre Community Collective
Full details and booking: citz.co.uk
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Glasgow, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Glasgow? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Citizens Theatre
Heritage Building Tours
Learn about legendary productions, backstage innovations, and the community spirit that has defined the Citz on one of their regular Heritage Building Tours!
READ MORE
Òran Ùr - Celebrating 25 years of new Gaelic songs
Don't miss an evening celebrating contemporary Gaelic songwriting with stars of Gaelic singing and contemporary songwriting at the Citizens Theatre as part of Celtic Connections 2026.
READ MORE
Blazin' Fiddles and Hannah Rarity
Celebrating the release of their eleventh studio album in January 2026, the Blazers return to Celtic Connections to make their debut in the stunning Citizens Theatre!
READ MORE
Alice Faye & Special Guests
Glasgow's own Alice Faye brings her spellbinding blend of drama, melody, and storytelling to the newly reopened Citizens Theatre with a special preview of her forthcoming album, Vaude Villian.
READ MORE
This Journey of Mine: Carol Laula & Friends
Don't miss an evening of song, stories and (not so) silent heroines with Carol Laula and friends at the Citizens Theatre as part of Celtic Connections 2026!
READ MORE
Size Matters
Size Matters is a wildly inventive new show from Mamoru Iriguchi which blends puppetry, science, and surrealist theatre!
READ MORE
India Alba & Special Guests: The Golden Road
India Alba are a collaboration between two Indian and two Scottish musicians whose combination of Indian classical and Scottish traditional backgrounds have created a unique and interesting sound.
READ MORE
Mistero Buffo
Mistero Buffo is a remarkable tale told brilliantly by Lawrence Boothman and directed by Ben Standish. It's funny. It's political. You'll have a good night out.
READ MORE
Alana Jackson: Last Orders
Alana Jackson, winner of So You Think You're Funny? 2024, brings her debut show, Last Orders, to the Citizens Theatre as part of the Vanishing Point Winter Residency.
READ MORE
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is spontaneous musical comedy at its absolute finest – direct from the West End and now heading to Citizens Theatre!
READ MORE
The Showstoppers’ Kids Show
The Showstoppers' Kids Show takes your kids' ideas and turns them into marvellous, musical adventures from scratch, in front of their very noses!
READ MORE
Saint Joan
As today's world faces political unrest and war, Saint Joan speaks powerfully to a new generation challenging authority, reminding us of history's unlikely revolutionaries.
READ MORE
Waiting For Godot
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star in a new staging of Samuel Beckett's classic play Waiting For Godot at the Citizens Theatre – in which absolutely nothing happens.
READ MORE
The Bacchae
Written and performed by Ewan Downie, The Bacchae blurs the lines between binaries: human and animal, male and female, victim and perpetrator! Catch it at the Citizens Theatre in March!
READ MORE
A Grain of Sand
A Grain of Sand is a one-woman show that takes an intimate look at war through the eyes of a child, blending Palestinian folklore with real-life testimonies from children in contemporary Gaza.
READ MORE
Mark Simmons: Jest to Impress
Mark Simmons is back on tour in 2026 with Jest to Impress, a brand new show packed with even more expertly crafted one-liners. Catch him at the Citizens Theatre as part of Glasgow Comedy Festival!
READ MORE
Mhairi Black: Difficult Second Album
Following her sold-out Fringe run and a smash-hit tour, MP-turned-comedian Mhairi Black returns with her Difficult Second Album to Glasgow International Comedy Festival!
READ MORE
Kim Blythe: Cowboy
Unsure but thriving after a sold-out Fringe run, Kim Blythe brings her second show Cowboy to Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2026 for one last rodeo as she tries to make sense of it all.
READ MORE
Mike Wozniak: The Bench
Taskmaster star Mike Wozniak is coming to Glasgow International Comedy Festival with his new show, The Bench, catch him live at the Citizens Theatre on Saturday 21st March!
READ MORE
Karen Dunbar: The Glesga Special
Karen Dunbar is one of Scotland's best-known comedy actors, don't miss her live at the Citizens Theatre when she brings 'The Glesga Special' to Glasgow International Comedy Festival!
READ MORE
Des Clarke: Life After Des
After more than ten years away from the touring circuit, Des Clarke returns to the stage with 'Life After Des', a show that's as sharp, heartfelt and laugh-out-loud as ever!
READ MORE
Lubna Kerr: Chatterbox
Join actress, comedian and writer Lubna Kerr for the second instalment of a planned trilogy on life growing up as a first-generation immigrant from Pakistan living in 1970s Glasgow!
READ MORE
Ruby Wax: Absolutely Famous
Join Ruby Wax and lifelong friend and A-list producer, Clive Tulloh at the Citizens Theatre as they review clips from Ruby's extraordinary shows and tell scandalous stories never before heard!
READ MORE
When Billy Met Alasdair
Alan Bissett, award-winning creator of Fringe hit The Moira Monologues, takes on the dual roles of two Scottish cultural giants when he brings When Billy Met Alasdair to the Citizens Theatre!
READ MORE
I, Daniel Blake
I, Daniel Blake, at the Citizens Theatre, is a touching and vital story of how people come together in the face of adversity and how sometimes creating a family to support you just isn't enough.
READ MORE
There’s A Monster In Your Show
Expect plenty of playful fun for your littlest ones as their favourite characters come to life when 'There's A Monster In Your Show' comes to the Citizens Theatre in April!
READ MORE
Night Waking
A darkly funny and deeply unsettling one-woman play is coming to the Citizens Theatre. Night Waking is an urgent, razor-sharp meditation on motherhood, colonialism, and the things we leave behind.
READ MORE
The Long Drop
The Long Drop, at the Citizens Theatre, is a darkly stylish descent into the heart of a city – and the haunted minds of the men who shape it.
READ MORE
Paul Black - Cash Cow
Coming to Citizens Theatre this summer, Scottish Comedy Agency presents Paul Black – Cash Cow, the show marks Paul's return to stand-up after his sell-out sketch show All Sorts!
READ MORE
Hack Glasgow
After the resounding success of Hack Glasgow in 2025, annual community-led hacker conference is back for 2026 at The Citizens Theatre on Saturday 15th August!
READ MORE
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
This visceral production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie looks head on at our enduring moral fascination with such a beguiling and dangerous character.
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Free - Bumper Cabaret Show
Join the Riding Room for their FREE bumper cabaret shows, doors swing open from 7pm with a delectable cocktail range, featuring all of the classics and their very own stable staples!
READ MORE
Broadway Babies
This one is for the musical theatre lovers! Join everyone's favourite Dynamic Duo, Mel & Dean, as they kick off Broadway Babies at Riding Room, Scotland's favourite Queer Cabaret Bar!
READ MORE
Wheels Of Life
Wheels of Life at Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre is a special show which features some of the earliest and most exquisite work created by Eduard Bersudsky in Russia.
READ MORE
In Tronversation with Jonathan Watson
Join the Tron Theatre for their next 'In Tronversation' event on Friday 23rd January with Glasgow boy and star of stage and screen... Jonathan Watson!
READ MORE
Varna Ballet - Swan Lake
Varna International Ballet returns for a new season in 2026 brought to life by magical special effects, don't miss their production of Swan Lake at Glasgow's SEC Armadillo in January!
READ MORE
Murder Maist Fowl - Burn’s Night Murder Mystery
Fancy a Burn's Night with a difference? Join the team at Arta for their murder mystery event... Murder Maist Fowl!
READ MORE
Varna Ballet - The Nutcracker
Varna International Ballet returns for a new season in 2026 brought to life by magical special effects, don't miss their production of The Nutcracker at Glasgow's SEC Armadillo in January!
READ MORE
Mairi Campbell: Auld Lang Syne
Blending storytelling, animation and movement with music composed with David Gray and Mairi Campbell this five-star show brings Scotland's most famous song to life.
READ MOREFind other events in Glasgow
Sponsored Links