CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

City unveils new birthday brand to mark 850th year

Glasgow City Council has revealed the new brand behind its plans to mark the city's 850th birthday, in 2025.

City unveils new birthday brand to mark 850th year

Article Source: Glasgow City Council
Last Updated: 19 June 2024 13:32

The four core icons used with the brand use recognisable symbols synonymous with Glasgow's story. More symbols will be developed to highlight the wide-ranging achievements of the city and its people, with a special focus on the past fifty years and a strong emphasis on its future ambitions.

Developed to complement the city's distinctive and popular People Make Glasgow look, the new brand brings plans for a yearlong programme of activities for Glasgow 850 together under one strong visual identity.

Throughout 2025 Glasgow will mark its 850th birthday by delivering, with partners, a, citywide programme that celebrates and reflects on our recent past, our present and future.

The calendar of signature events and community-based activities is being curated to let those with a connection to Glasgow, at home and abroad, get involved to tell their stories, honouring our rich heritage, reflecting on transformational growth, and inspiring ambitious change for the city's next fifty years.

The brand, which is based on the idea of badges, will be free to use and made available to businesses, and community groups, to help them show support for Glasgow 850 and get involved. It has been developed in a way that the icons around the core Glasgow 850 image could be changed and customised to make it more personal to groups and individuals with an affinity to the city.

Designed by Glasgow-based firm Tangent, the idea came from thinking about how people have and continue to use physical badges to visually represent who they are - reflecting passions, achievements and allegiances.

In today's digital first age, people will be offered different digital 'badge' icons to use, each representing something the city can be proud of and a way to curate their own icons, with meaningful and relevant symbols. This allows everyone mark this milestone and show the world what Glasgow means to them, personally.

Susanne Miller, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Council said: “Marking the city's 850th birthday is an opportunity that goes beyond celebrations and commemorations. It acknowledges the contributions of generations who have shaped the city, gives a platform to grow a shared sense of belonging and invites people to guide our future.

“This new Glasgow850 brand is an imaginative and inclusive way for people to take part and express what Glasgow means to them and helping them to tell their story.”


The concept and design were met with approval from children from Saracen Primary School in Possilpark, where they were given a sneak peek before the official launch.

Jaxson, P6 said: “I think it's a cool idea. We've learned about the city's story with the bird, bell, fish and the tree and so I can see that they mean something to Glasgow.” His classmate David commented: “I love the idea of thinking up what our own symbols might be and how that can be something we want to see in Glasgow's future.”

Alison McGill Headteacher at Saracen Primary in Possilpark, in the north of the city, said: “The brand is vibrant and relevant to Glasgow. Because of the colour used, people will know when they see it that it is for them to get involved in.

“Seeing the brand has given us a great starting point to go away and have a think about how we might turn this milestone for the city into a learning opportunity for the children, what it means to them and how we can get involved next year.

“Sense of identity is a key part of our children's learning as it gives a strong feeling of belonging. For this reason, we start every new school year with a local area study, next year we will be extending our focus city-wide.”


The main programme for Glasgow 850, starting January 2025 will be launched in September this year.

Sponsored Links

Fayre Play
Open Pass Scotland
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
East Renfrewshire Culture
Glasgow Science Centre
The Ivy
Media Shop

Latest Glasgow News

Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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 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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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 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 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 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

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 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

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

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

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 MORE

Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
City Of Glasgow Chorus
City Sightseeing Glasgow
The Quay
Mowgli
Glasgow Marriott
ATG

Sponsored Links

Fayre Play
Open Pass Scotland
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
East Renfrewshire Culture
Glasgow Science Centre
The Ivy
Media Shop
Hilton Glasgow
City Of Glasgow Chorus
City Sightseeing Glasgow
The Quay
Mowgli
Glasgow Marriott
ATG

Popular Events

Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland
Glasgow's Winter Wonderland, the city's most anticipated festive celebration, will transform Glasgow Green and St Enoch Square into enchanting winter wonderlands of light, laughter and seasonal cheer!
Clydeside Christmas Village
Get ready for something truly special this winter... introducing Clydeside Christmas Village, arriving in Glasgow for the very first time between Saturday 29th November and Sunday 4th January!
Ashton Lane Hogmanay Street Party
The Ashton Lane Hogmanay Street Party is back for 2025 and it's going to be bigger and better than ever, tickets are going fast so pick up yours today!
Forge Market Christmas Cracker
Join the Forge Market for their Christmas Cracker on Saturday 13th December, there's lots of great activities in store for all the family!
itison Drive-In Movies
The Christmas tradition of the year is back... Scotland's original Drive-in returns to Loch Lomond Shores this December, with your favourite festive classics!

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