Merchant City Festival draws in 35,000 people

The 2024 Merchant City Festival was enjoyed by 35,000 people as street arts, dance and musical performances brought large crowds to one of Glasgow's oldest districts.

Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 21 July 2024 17:55

Image Credit: Kris Kesiak for Glasgow Life.

Festivalgoers soaked up a mix of entertainment in the streets and venues of the Merchant City from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 July, including interactive theatre piece ‘Frame’ by Catalan group Electro 28 and giant puppets The Grimaldi Twins by Bridgeman Arts. The crowds were also treated to eye-catching and ear-pleasing sets by Brass, Aye? and Zimbabwean DJ Elanda over the course of the weekend as part of the music programme from Surge, Scotland’s leading outdoor arts agency.

The Merchant City Festival is delivered by Glasgow Life, the charity that leads culture and sport in Glasgow. On the Saturday and Sunday, event sponsor Merchant Square staged free family days featuring ceilidhs, Be Bop Bairns discos, dancers, puppet shows and roaming characters like the Prom Pom Queen, co-commissioned with Scotland’s children’s theatre agency Imaginate.

Merchant Square also hosted live musical entertainment each night of the festival for the first time, with Celtic Connections bringing folk, roots and world music on the opening night. The Saturday evening celebrated Glasgow Pride with a Queer-led programme featuring Megan Black and Bonnie Banks. Glaswegian roots trio Awkward Family Portraits and 50s pop act The Shivering Sheiks then kept the party going in Merchant Square on the Sunday night.

Elsewhere on the Friday, Hip Replacement community disco nights saw revellers take to the Old Fruitmarket dancefloor in their droves. On the Saturday night, Big Angie FireStarter comedy shows at fellow event sponsor The Social Hub Glasgow had audiences in hysterics.

Festivalgoers also flocked to the much-loved Merchant City Festival food stalls and craft, farmers’ and gift markets throughout the weekend.

Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life and Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations for Glasgow City Council, said: “The top-class entertainment of the Merchant City Festival made for another brilliant weekend of fun for all. Culture is Glasgow’s heart and making, sharing and enjoying culture is our right, so it was wonderful to see so many people of all ages and backgrounds soaking up the festival’s carnival atmosphere with family and friends. This year’s Merchant City Festival showed why it is one of the most popular dates in Glasgow’s internationally renowned cultural events calendar.”

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

Latest Glasgow News

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong crashes into the Kings Theatre Glasgow

Multi-award winning company Mischief return to the King's Theatre Glasgow with their new stage show – Christmas Carol Goes Wrong!

Christmas drawing by 11 year old Glasgow schoolgirl lights up the city

An 11-year-old Glasgow schoolgirl has seen her Christmas drawing light up the city after it was transformed into a glowing display as part of this year’s festive light trail.

Scottish Doctor Who actor to lead The Woman in Black at the Theatre Royal Glasgow

PW Productions is delighted to announce casting for Susan Hill's The Woman in Black, as it returns to the Theatre Royal Glasgow.

Scottish dancer to appear in The Red Shoes in first tour stop in Glasgow

The King's Theatre, Glasgow is delighted to reveal the full cast and tour dates for Matthew Bourne's double Olivier award-winning, smash hit production of The Red Shoes.

Braehead Shopping Centre is your place for festive fashion, food and fun this Christmas

Christmas is in full swing at Braehead Shopping Centre, and Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination is once again the place to celebrate the magic of the festive season!

Solasta Residence supports Beatson Cancer Charity through festive giving tree initiative

Solasta Residence in Glasgow has launched its first Giving Tree in support of Beatson Cancer Charity.

The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow unveils exciting new programme for 2026

The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow is set to light up 2026 with a thrilling year of music, theatre and comedy.

Wingstop UKI opens its doors at Silverburn

Leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, has turned up the heat on its dining line-up with the official opening of Wingstop UKI, bringing even more flavour and choice to guests.

90s pop icon joins the cast of Mean Girls

Faye Tozer to star alongside Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners in the award-winning musical Mean Girls, coming to the King's Theatre in Glasgow from Monday 29th June!

DF Concerts & Events launches The DF Academy

DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.

Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with new book Elephant

Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with Beatson Cancer Charity this month.

Popular lifestyle brand Oliver Bonas opens at Silverburn

Silverburn, Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, has welcomed much-loved independent fashion, jewellery and homewares retailer Oliver Bonas.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.