Merchant City Festival celebrates 2022 success
The iconic Merchant City Festival has drawn to a close after an incredible weekend of entertainment.
Article Source: Merchant City Festival
Last Updated: 1 August 2022 11:01
Welcoming over 75,000 attendees to the city centre for a weekend of music, art and culinary delights, the first full-scale festival back since before the pandemic has been hailed a huge success.
The much-loved festival, a celebration of culture, creativity and diversity, ran from Thursday 28th July until Sunday 31st July, and spectators were thrilled by the multitude of events and performances available.
Outstanding entertainment was exhibited, from outdoor arts and music, to film, dancing and comedy, all in and around the streets and venues of the Merchant City area of Glasgow.
Opening night brought a sensational Carnival Party to the streets of Glasgow and saw talented dancers and musical performers engage with captivated audiences. The carnival, entitled When Baroque meets Hip Hop, was the culmination of a three-month community outreach programme that worked with dance and community groups across the city.
Big Angie also delighted audiences on Thursday night, highlighting exactly why her success continues to rise. Her show, Me, the Polis & the Priest, had attendees in hysterics as she covered every topic you could imagine.
This year's festival had a huge family focus, with dance-along screenings of Encanto, Sing 2 and Trolls all being shown in the iconic Grand Hall in Glasgow’s City Halls. Hundreds of children dressed up for the event, singing and dancing along to their favourite tunes and characters.
Saturday and Sunday were jam packed with activities and performances to suit all ages and interests. Joli Vyann brought their breathtaking acro-dance show Timeless to George square and leading Choreographer Jeanefer Jean Charles brought the powerful dance piece Black Victorians to the festival which proved to be an engaging and compelling celebration of diversity in 19th and 20th century Britain.
Hurricane Group (FISE) presented BMX Freestyle Flatland demonstrations live in George Square. The riders performed a dynamic combination of art, sport and acrobatics to the backdrop of a live DJ and MC.
Aside from the show-stopping programme of entertainment taking place across the weekend, the ever-popular Merchant City Festival markets were back for the first time since 2019, offering a craft and makers market and food stalls with many culinary delights.
Councillor Eva Bolander, Chair of the Merchant City Festival Committee, said: “This year’s festival was better, I think, than anyone could have imagined. It was amazing to see families and people of all ages getting involved and engaging with our incredible events.
“Our unique outdoor performances really brought the streets of Glasgow to life and provided rich, cultural experiences for all who attended. The family-focused activities were all a huge hit which was amazing to see. Children are never too young to be immersed in the arts and culture that Glasgow has to offer.”
The festival was delivered by Glasgow Life, the charity that inspires people to live richer and more active lives through art, culture and sport.
Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “It has been such a pleasure to witness the success of this year’s Merchant City Festival, from the audience engagement to the sheer talent of the performers.
“Glasgow Life’s main aim is to enrich the lives of people in and around the city, and it is undeniable that Merchant City Festival did that this year; it was a privilege to see. We are already looking ahead to the 2023 festival, which is sure to be just as dramatic, vibrant and enlightening as ever.”
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival
The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!
READ MORE
New film on resistance to Home Office raid on Kenmure Street to be released next year
Scottish distributor Conic has acquired all UK and Ireland rights for Everybody to Kenmure Street, a new documentary about Glasgow's community resistance to a Home Office raid in 2021.
READ MORE
Sean Batty joins Glasgow businesses to champion choose local at Christmas cry
STV presenter visits Glasgow West End's Business Improvement District to highlight the vital role that local people can play in the the final festive push.
READ MORE
Everyman presents Nationwide preview screenings of Sentimental Value
See the highly anticipated new comedy drama before anyone else, with preview screenings at Everyman cinemas nationwide.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership
Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership bringing together Scotland's most celebrated writers and musicians!
READ MORE
Beatson Cancer Charity announces amazing total for Glasgow Santa Dash 2025
Beatson Cancer Charity is thrilled to announce that the Glasgow Santa Dash 2025 has raised more than £100,000 to support people affected by cancer across the west of Scotland.
READ MORE
University of Glasgow launches first Virtual Reality kiosk for Museums in the Metaverse
Imagine visiting a museum and being transported inside the glass cases, to virtually examine artefacts at astonishing proximity and from every possible angle. This is now reality.
READ MORE
Jock and the Beanstalk panto stars support Social Bite Festival of Kindness
Pavilion Panto stars headed to Social Bite's Festival of Kindness on Vinicombe Street to encourage Glaswegians to donate gifts and funds to support people experiencing homelessness this winter.
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events celebrates a year of sustainable and inclusive events
DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.
READ MORE
Full casting announced for Scottish premiere of Single White Female at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
Full casting has been announced as rehearsals begin for the Scottish premiere of Single White Female coming to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in June!
READ MORE
Celebrate the New Year with a sparkling experience at The Ivy Glasgow
With toasts to celebrate the new year breaking around the world, the experience is not to be missed!
READ MORE
A sweet partnership bringing locally produced, sustainable ice cream to the SEC in time for a packed winter events season
Equi’s Ice Cream, the award-winning Scottish, family-run ice cream maker, is announcing a major new partnership as the official ice cream supplier of the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Teenage Cancer Trust units in Glasgow receive festive surprise from Aldi
Young people receiving cancer treatment in Glasgow have been treated to a surprise delivery of festive goodies from Aldi, helping them celebrate the holiday season away from home.
READ MORE
Step into Christmas at Dalmeny Park with special festive menus and afternoon teas this December
Dalmeny Park is pulling out all the stops to make this festive season truly magical, unveiling its 2025 festive dining menus and afternoon teas available until 23rd December.
READ MORE
Big Fat Bingo of The Year shows announced
Christmas is coming in fast, and hot on its heels is the surreal, off-kilter period between Xmas and NYE... Bongo's Bingo have got just the tonic to help see out the final days of 2025!
READ MORE
Scottish jazz talent in tune as award winners unveiled
The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Anna Campbell Jones launches small batch Scottish botanical rum distilled in Glasgow
Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.
READ MORE
Best burger in Scotland is now available in Glasgow for Christmas
Glasgow's Winter Wonderland gives visitors a taste of the festive season with foodie highlights including Scotland's best burger!
READ MORE
Award winning Rickshaw & Co launches its festive menu in Glasgow
Rickshaw & Co has launched its festive menu, bringing bold Indian and Bangladeshi flavours to December in Partick.
READ MORE
From plate to print: Kirsty Wark celebrates artistic legacy of great aunt
Glasgow Print Studio is thrilled to announce the release of a new limited-edition print by journalist, TV presenter and writer Kirsty Wark as part of their Call & Response series.
READ MORE
The festive knockout you can not miss at Oran Mor!
This December, Glasgow's Oran Mor premieres Morag Fullarton's new theatre production, 'It's a Wonderful Life... Mostly'.
READ MORE
10p pizzas from Civerinos as Deliveroo marks 10th Scottish anniversary
Raise a dram to a decade of Deliveroo: Civerinos and Deliveroo launch 10p pizzas to celebrate 10 years of feeding the people of Scotland.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort serves up a slice of Home Alone magic with year long cheese pizza competition
Glasgow Fort has teamed up with Leopardo Pizza to launch a Home Alone-inspired competition, giving shoppers the chance to win a year's supply of Kevin McCallister’s favourite cheese pizza.
READ MORE
Lidl launching free gift wrapping stations across the UK
Lidl has unveiled its first-ever ‘Lidl Wrapped’ - a celebration of some of the nation's favourite buys, brought to life as limited-edition Christmas wrapping paper
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort joins forces with local charities to support people who feel lonely at Christmas
Glasgow Fort has teamed up with local charities to help raise awareness of the support they can provide to people of all ages experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation at Christmas.
READ MORE
The Tron Theatre announced new season for 2026
Tron Theatre is delighted to announce its brand-new season of work for Spring/Summer 2026.
READ MORE
This weekend Glasgow shoppers can win the ultimate Glasgow Christmas gift
This Sunday visitors to VEGA's Christmas Market have the chance to “unwrap the city” and win the ultimate Glasgow Christmas gift worth over £1,000!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries welcomes two new stores for the festive season
City centre shopping destination Buchanan Galleries has expanded its retail line-up this December with the arrival of two new stores, offering visitors even more choice in the run-up to Christmas.
READ MORE
Glasgow Film Festival supports 50 next generation filmmakers across three star studded talent labs
Lab mentors and partners include Oscar-winning and nominated directors, leading animation studios, and executives from Netflix, BFI, Aardman, and Curzon.
READ MORE
Caledonia Gladiators launches most exclusive seat in Scottish sport in aid of GCH Charity
Scotland's basketball franchise Caledonia Gladiators has launched a unique new VIP experience – thought to be the most exclusive sporting seat in the country – in aid of charity.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links