Everything you need to know about the 2024 Glasgow Mela

The Glasgow Mela returns this weekend for a day full of free multicultural fun for all the family!

Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 19 June 2024 9:44

The festival features music, dance, and arts from across the globe and is a popular part of Glasgow’s annual events calendar.

The Glasgow Mela is a celebration of South Asian culture and heritage. It is based on the traditions of the Indian sub-continent and has evolved to become an outdoor multicultural spectacular.

Below is everything you need to know about the 2024 Glasgow Mela.

When is it?
The Glasgow Mela is on Sunday 23 June, from 12pm to 8pm.

Music
Local, national and international artists will take to the stage to wow audiences.

Acts will range from award-winning Punjabi rapper Roach Killa to Scottish DJs Gtown Desi and Glasgow's own Rameet Sandhu.

After many years, Glasgow’s original bhangra rockers Bombay Talkie are reuniting for a special performance.

The Bhangra Beatles will also perform hits from the Fab Four like you’ve never heard them before. This year’s event will be headlined by the legendary Apache Indian.

Food and market stalls
The Glasgow Mela has a wide selection of food stalls with everything from tasty samosas and kebabs to churros and refreshing mango lassis.

There is also a range of market stalls offering clothes, jewellery, henna, and much more.

Workshops
Why not get in on the fun by joining one of the workshops or panels running at the Kelvingrove Bandstand?

There is an interactive panel discussion about the importance of food stories for Asian cultural identity.

Author Nadine Aisha Jassat will also hold a talk about the inspiration behind her children’s novels. You will have the chance to come up with your own ideas as part of the session.

Or bring a piece of old clothing to the bandstand in the afternoon and take part in an upcycling workshop with Mridula Sharma.

If music is more your bag, then you’ll love the Glasgow Mela Big Singalong. Glasgow Sitare, a singing group for South Asian women, will help you learn Bollywood and Hindi film songs.

Sport
The Glasgow Mela may be best known for its music, dancing, and culinary delights. However, there is also an opportunity for people to try out different sports.

Get yourself to the Kelvingrove tennis courts and bowling green for a chance to play hockey, kabaddi, badminton, and volleyball.

There is also fencing and other sporting activities, including archery in the park.

Dance
As well as music, there are also spectacular dance acts at the Glasgow Mela. These range from The Ghungroo Dance Revolution to the Abhinaya Dance Academy.

Abhinaya students who have achieved Arangetram will take to the stage at the Mela for the first time. Arangetram is a debut performance marking their readiness as soloists after years of training.

The Ghungroo Dance Revolution will be performing a piece based on Navras, the nine fundamental emotions that form the essence of artistic expression.

Getting there
If you’re planning on driving, there are limited spaces at Lilybank Gardens, Kelvinbridge and Bunhouse Street.

Public transport is also available. The nearest subway stations to the park are Kelvin Hall and Kelvinbridge.

The first Glasgow Mela was in 1990 as part of the city’s celebrations as the European City of Culture. The event is now one of the largest in the country, with thousands of people attending each year.

You can find more information about the 2024 Glasgow Mela by visiting www.glasgowlife.org.uk

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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.

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

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.

The Tron Theatre announced new season for 2026

Tron Theatre is delighted to announce its brand-new season of work for Spring/Summer 2026.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Shipbuilding heritage, tall tales & Scottish cuisine make a tasty tune

Since launching in 2019, the Shipyard Bards, Tall Tales and Dinner events held at Glasgow's Mharsanta restaurant have repeatedly sold out.

Dr. Gillian Shirreffs Book Signing for Elephant at Waterstones Byres Road

Gillian Shirreffs has raised over £30,000 for charity through her writing, and she'll be signing copies of Elephant on Saturday 13th December at Waterstones Byres Road.

Silverburn unwraps a festive December of entertainment

Silverburn, Glasgow's leading retail and leisure destination, has unveiled a packed diary full of events this December, as guests get ready for Christmas.