Merchant City Festival confirms spectacular 2024 programme
Glasgow's Merchant City Festival has announced a fun-filled programme for this year’s weekend-long celebration of entertainment.
Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 2 July 2024 10:08
Image: The Prom Pom Queen is among the acts performing at the 2024 Merchant City Festival. Credit: Rob Casey for Glasgow Life.
The highly popular event will run from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 July 2024 and feature outdoor arts, circus and dance acts, musicians and more.
The Merchant City Festival is delivered by Glasgow Life, the charity that leads culture and sport in Glasgow, and offers plenty of free fun for all the family. The theme of the festival is Fair: Play, celebrating Glasgow’s Fair Fortnight, the traditional holiday when Glaswegians relaxed and had fun.
Entertainment acts will take to the streets and venues of the Merchant City – including the event sponsors Merchant Square and The Social Hub Glasgow – across the three days of the festival. On the Saturday and Sunday, Merchant Square will host free family days (11.00am-5.00pm) featuring family ceilidhs, Bebop Bairns discos, dancers, puppet shows and roaming characters like the multicoloured Prom Pom Queen. The Prom Pom Queen act is co-commissioned with Scotland’s children’s theatre agency Imaginate.
The much-loved Merchant City Festival markets will also return, offering craft, farmers’ and gift markets and food stalls.
For the first time, Merchant Square will host musical entertainment each night of the festival. The musical evenings kick off with a ceilidh (5.30-7.00pm) and are followed by performances from two bands (7.30-8.30pm and 9.00-10.00pm). A DJ will then keep the party going from 10.00pm-midnight.
Renowned Glasgow festival Celtic Connections will bring folk, roots and world music to Merchant Square on the Friday night. The music programme on the Saturday night celebrates Glasgow Pride, which is also taking place in the city that day, with a Queer-led programme including Megan Black. The Sunday evening features sets by Glaswegian roots trio Awkward Family Portraits and 50s pop outfit The Shivering Sheiks.
As well as the activity taking place in and around the streets of the Merchant City, the 2024 event includes Hip Replacement community disco nights where the ‘middle edge’ crew can enjoy top tunes on a large dancefloor. The Hip Replacement nights take place at the Old Fruitmarket on the Friday and Saturday (7.00pm until midnight). Tickets are available on the Merchant City Festival webpage.
After sell-out shows at Glasgow International Comedy Festival, Big Angie FireStarter will light up The Social Hub on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 July (8.00-9.30pm). Visit the Merchant City Festival webpage to buy tickets for the Big Angie comedy nights.
The Merchant City Festival will start in style on Friday 19 July with a music programme from Surge, Scotland’s leading outdoor arts agency. The programme begins with a performance by singer-songwriter and clarsach player Pauline Vallance in Brunswick Street (12.00-12.30pm and 5.00-5.30pm). Glaswegian indie-folk singer The Jimmy Hoo Ha will then take to the microphone in Wilson Street (12.30-1.00pm, 1.30-2.00pm and 4.30-5.00pm) before Zimbabwean DJ Elanda lays down hypnotic tracks in Brunswick Street (12.30-1.30pm and 4.00-5.00pm on Friday 19, 4.15-5.15pm on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July).
Atlantic Journey will perform traditional flamenco and Afro-Cuban dancing in Brunswick Street on Friday 19 July (1.00-1.30pm and 5.00-5.30pm). Cera Impala’s impressive vocals will take audiences to another place and time at the junction of Albion Street and Bell Street from 1.30-2.00pm and 5.30-6.00pm on Friday 19 July (1.00-1.30pm and 2.30-3.00pm on Saturday 20 July; 1.00-1.30pm and 2.30-3.00pm, Sunday 21 July).
Giant Grimaldi Twin puppets will roam the Merchant City streets along with friends on stilts and skates between 2.00pm and 4.00pm. The opening day closes with musical performances by Lo-Fi Hip Hop Beetroots on Wilson Street (4.00-4.30pm and 5.30-6.00pm).
Arts agency Surge will bring street theatre that ignites the senses and fuels the imagination to the Merchant City on the Saturday and Sunday of the festival.
On Saturday 20 July, a daring exercise by The Frame act in Garth Street and Hutcheson Street (12.00-12.45pm and 3.45-4.30pm) will give passers-by a chance to witness the extraordinary – visit the webpage to book a place to watch this free, must-see act.
The Most Dangerous Animal in the World show on the corner of Wilson Street and Hutcheson Street tells the story of a sheep who ends up in the city after being exiled from her island community for her adventurous spirit (12.30-1.05pm and 2.15pm-2.30pm on Saturday 20 July; 12.30-1.05pm and 2.45-3.20pm on Sunday 21 July).
Glasgow Science Centre’s BodyWorks exhibition, which lets visitors take a new look at the science behind health and wellbeing, will open at The Boardwalk from 11.00am until 5.00pm on the Saturday and Sunday. The Boardwalk will also offer a quiet space for people to rest, contemplate, meditate and pray during the festival.
Glasgow Science Centre will also deliver Castles Rock! shows which explain why science and engineering are crucial to understanding life in times gone by. The shows take place at The Social Hub on Saturday 20 July and Sunday 21 July (12.30-12.45pm, 1.30-1.45pm, 3.00-3.15pm and 4.00-4.15pm).
A Portal in Candleriggs offers visitors a chance to leave the streets of Glasgow behind and step into imagined worlds of their own making on the Saturday from 1.00-4.00pm (and 1.00-4.00pm on Sunday 21 July). Later that afternoon, Glaswegian brass band Brass, Aye? will sing, dance and deliver a carnival atmosphere all while dressed in gold in Albion Street and Bell Street (1.45-2.15pm and 3.45-4.15pm).
Many of the acts taking to the Merchant City streets on the Saturday of the festival will return on the Sunday. The final day also features a performance by Un Duo Jazz de Baribone, who will play jazz tunes to groove to (Albion Street and Bell Street, 1.45-2.15pm and 3.45-4.15pm).
The Merchant City Festival draws large groups of visitors to the area over the course of the weekend. To ensure festivalgoers’ safety, the following roads will be closed to traffic from 6.00am on Friday 19 July until 11.59pm on Sunday 21 July: Brunswick Street, Bell Street (between Candleriggs and Walls Street), Candleriggs, Garth Street, Wilson Street (between Glassford Street and Candleriggs), Hutcheson Street and Albion Street (between Blackfriars Street and Trongate).
No vehicles will be allowed to wait, load or unload from 3.00pm on Thursday 18 July until 11.59pm on Sunday 21 July in Hutcheson Street, Brunswick Street, Bell Street (between Candleriggs and Walls Street), Candleriggs, Garth Street, Wilson Street (between Glassford Street and Candleriggs) and Albion Street (between Blackfriars Street and Trongate).
Bus lanes in Glassford Street (between Trongate and Wilson Street) will be closed from 4.00am on Friday 19 July until 11.59pm on Sunday 21 July.
Billy Garrett, Director of Culture, Tourism and Events at Glasgow Life, said: “The Merchant City Festival is a core and popular part of Glasgow’s Summer of Events programme. Performers turn the streets and businesses of the area into a vibrant and fun hub of indoor and outdoor art which offers something for everyone. From amazing acts to great food and music, the Merchant City Festival has it all. The diversity, scale and quality of the programme for this year’s festival will definitely create another wonderful weekend of entertainment in Glasgow’s city centre.”
Julie Edwin, of Merchant Square, said: “The relationship between Merchant Square and the festival stretches back many years. We have enjoyed so many Merchant City Festivals going back a generation, so we are delighted to once again be a major sponsor, and key venue, for what promises to be another great weekend. There will be lots going on in Merchant Square including exciting family-friendly performances, programmed in partnership with Imaginate/Edinburgh International Children’s Festival. Every evening we will have a live music programme until midnight too. We look forward to extending a warm welcome to you. It's an exciting time for Merchant Square and the Merchant City with new restaurants such as Sano joining our already popular line-up, and a refreshed events programme bringing new energy to the district.”
Ben McLeod, General Manager at The Social Hub Glasgow, said: “The Social Hub is proud to sponsor and partner with the Merchant City Festival to help deliver what is a highlight of Glasgow’s fantastic calendar of cultural events. The entertainment line-up at this year’s event has something for all the family and we cannot wait to welcome visitors to The Social Hub for some special performances. We believe a better society is created when people with vision and talent come together from all walks of life and the Merchant City Festival will help to establish us at the heart of our new community.”
Visit the Merchant City Festival webpage on the Glasgow Life website to see the full programme and timings.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Design your own FORTY t shirt at two stores in Glasgow tomorrow
Glasgow's homegrown streetwear brand, FORTY Clothing, is marking a major milestone in style with a series of creative design events for its customers across its stores tomorrow.
READ MORE
Autumn Offers at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.
READ MORE
Casting announced for The Enormous Crocodile at the Kings Theatre Glasgow
The Roald Dahl Story Company today announces the full cast for the wickedly funny family musical based on Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile!
READ MORE
One more! A quarter of Scots say they will spend their extra hour in the pub as clocks go back
To celebrate, Innis & Gunn is hosting 'Sunset Sessions' at its three Taprooms in Glasgow and Edinburgh, with live trad music performances kicking off at 4.50pm - the exact time of sunset!
READ MORE
FIRST LOOK: GlasGLOW returns Miles Better with its biggest show yet
80,000+ visitors expected, with opening weekend sold out, as itison unveils epic new images!
READ MORE
Five March brings Samhain celebrations to Glasgow with a long table five course feast
Iconic Glasgow west end restaurant, Five March, is teaming up with Edinburgh Gin to mark the end of the harvest season with a Samhain celebration feast.
READ MORE
Cast announced for Citz festive retelling of Beauty and The Beast
A celebration of being bold and gloriously yourself, this year’s Citizens Theatre production of Beauty and The Beast is a family-friendly and funny new take on the classic fairytale.
READ MORE
Expanded River Island opens at Glasgow Fort, making it the largest branch in Scotland
As part of a major 'glow up' for the brand at Glasgow Fort, River Island has relocated its existing store within the centre to a larger, more modern unit, located between Superdry and BPerfect.
READ MORE
Solar powered Observation Wheel, the first in the world, will be unveiled in Glasgow this Christmas
The world's first solar power Observation Wheel is set to be unveiled at Glasgow's Winter Wonderland at St Enoch Square!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries welcomes seven retailers for Christmas shopping season
Seven exciting retailers are set to join city centre shopping destination Buchanan Galleries ahead of the festive season.
READ MORE
Halloween is just around the corner and The Ivy Glasgow has some scarily good things up their sleeve to help celebrate
This spooky season, take a stroll down the yellow brick road and into The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow as it transforms into The Ivy Emerald City.
READ MORE
Potential changes to permitted development rights are putting beloved live music venues at risk
The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk.
READ MORE
Pizza Punks fire up an all new menu with 1000 free pizzas
Dive into Autumn with Pizza Punks' all-new menu featuring the 'Nduja Mac Daddy, Smash Burger Pizza, Double Pepperoni & Burrata and more!
READ MORE
Art Exhibition and Fashion Sale to Support Strathcarron Hospice
Strathblane artists are set to captivate the community with a charity art exhibition this weekend, aiming to raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice, Denny.
READ MORE
Silverburn named UK Retail Destination of the Year
Silverburn has been named as 'Retail Destination of the Year' at the 2025 SCEPTRE Awards, the Oscars of retail, recognising its exceptional performance and contribution to the UK's retail industry.
READ MORE
CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher will bring his brand new tour to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow
CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher has announced that his brand-new live theatre tour Justin Time To Rock will now continue into Spring 2026, with final tour dates just announced.
READ MORE
No tricks, just treats at Silverburn this Halloween
Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, is the place to be for a selection of fang-tastic Halloween events this October!
READ MORE
Priscilla Queen of the Desert announces full casting including Strictly champion
The full cast have been announced for the UK and Ireland tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, including Strictly champion Kevin Clifton!
READ MORE
Sleigh bells ring early! Brand new Christmas fair at SEC announced as tickets go on sale
Deck the Halls unveils inaugural event in Glasgow in partnership with National Trust for Scotland.
READ MORE
Build up to Glasgow 2026 continues with new indoor bowling world record
Fans bowled over as celebrities and sports stars help set new record for world's largest bowls lesson as Glasgow 2026 ticket fever builds!
READ MORE
New year round Collaboration to make Outdoor Adventure accessible for All
The Yard, Foxlake and Wild Shore Dundee launch official partnership to deliver a year-round programme of inclusive activities, training, and support across three regions of Scotland.
READ MORE
The Saltires 2025 Shortlists Announced
The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Casting announced for Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Kevin Clifton, Nick Hayes and Peter Duncan amongst the full cast announced who join previously announced Adèle Anderson (Fascinating Aïda) for Priscilla Queen of the Desert tour 2026.
READ MORE
KT Tunstall wins Modern Scottish Classic Award, plus SAY Award Shortlist reveal
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.
READ MORE
The biggest community panto in Glasgow is back
Halo Arts is thrilled to announce the return of its annual community panto project, with this year's production of Pinocchio.
READ MORE
Celtic Connections 2026 unveils packed programme of unmissable world and roots music
Festival to set the tone for Glasgow's year of unforgettable international events!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries offers chances to win in the Great Gift Card Giveaway
£1,000 in Glasgow Gift Cards will be given away in the city centre shopping mall between 20th October to 2nd November.
READ MORE
The List Eat & Drink 365 guide to launch in Glasgow
A new print publication covering the eating and drinking scene in Glasgow follows the successful launch of Eat & Drink 365 Edinburgh earlier this year.
READ MORE
Tenement Trail Festival celebrates incredible 11th edition in Glasgow
Thousands of music fans descended on Glasgow's iconic East End for Scotland's festival of music discovery!
READ MORE
Major fashion retailer steps back into Silverburn
Popular footwear and sportswear retailer, Footasylum, is returning to Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, as the latest addition to its fashion offering.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links