Five things to do at the Glasgow Coffee Festival
Gill McIntyre, Glasgow Coffee Festival's Specialist & Event Coordinator, shares her can't miss moments ahead of this year's event!
Article Source: Glasgow Coffee Festival
Last Updated: 15 April 2025 10:00
The Glasgow Coffee Festival was founded in 2014 with a mission to bring people together over great coffee, to celebrate Scotland’s coffee scene, and spark better conversations about how it’s sourced, served, and shared. More than a decade on, it’s one of the UK’s leading specialty coffee events – and it’s still pushing boundaries.
Ahead of this year’s festival on April 26–27 at The Briggait, Coffee Services Specialist & Event Coordinator Gill McIntyre, a coffee trainer and barista who’s been working in the industry for more than 20 years, shares her can’t miss moments – from powerful rituals to competitions.
1. Ethiopian coffee ceremony with The Coffee Legends
“This is one of the most powerful things we’ve ever had at the festival. If you think coffee’s just something you grab on the way to work, this will make you think differently about it.
“This ceremony will take you right back to coffee’s roots: its people, culture, and history. The Coffee Legends are on a mission to share Ethiopian coffee culture as it is experienced daily in the country where coffee was discovered – as a ritual of connection and respect. It’s humbling, it gives you a total shift in perspective. Everyone should see it at least once.”
2. SCA UK Cup Tasters championship final
“This is where the best tasters in the country go head-to-head to pick the odd cup out from a set of three. The tasters taking part have trained their palates to a ridiculous degree. It’s pure sensory skill and it’s amazing to watch. This will give you a real respect for how much work and craft goes into tasting and identifying quality control.”
3. Roast Hero competition
“We’re so excited to bring back this great competition, during which roasters are given the same raw coffee to roast to create the ultimate cup of coffee for festival goers and coffee professionals to taste! . It’s judged blind, so it’s all about who can unlock the most flavour, the most balance. Last year, the standard blew me away. It’s coffee stripped back to basics – it’s just about who’s the best roaster, nothing more.
4. Latte Art Competition - for home baristas!
“So many new people have grown an appreciation for coffee since the festival began. We’re all about removing boundaries and making amazing, specialty coffee more accessible. This latte art competition will be open to all – whether you’re trying it out for the first time or you’ve been pouring tulips for years – and it’s a bit less serious. For me, it captures the spirit of the festival. It shows how coffee is growing and touching new people every day.”
5. Home brewing demos
“If you’re just starting in specialty coffee, these sessions are ideal. You’ll learn how to dial in your brew at home, without needing loads of fancy kit. It’s about making the most of what you’ve got. There’s no judgment, no sales pitch. Just great coffee and advice to make it well.”
Gill concluded: “We’ve built this festival around community and the love of coffee– but also around responsibility. From banning single-use cups to becoming a B Corp and joining 1% for the Planet, we’re serious about doing better by people and planet. Coffee’s future depends on it. Come and experience amazing coffee and coffee culture – leave with a bigger sense of what you’re part of.”
Sponsors backing this year’s event include Dear Green, La Marzocco, Brew-it Group, Oatly, Mossgiel Organic Farm, The Social Hub Glasgow, PR agency Story Shop, Brewed by Hand and BWT.
Tickets are on sale now at glasgowcoffeefestival.com.
Follow @glasgowcoffeefestival on Instagram for all the latest updates.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Festive fun on the farm at the National Museum of Rural Life
Celebrate the season with festive fun for the whole family at the National Museum of Rural Life.
READ MORE
Braehead celebrates bright young business stars this Christmas
Scotland's premier retail destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, today announce that this Christmas they will again welcome the Young Enterprise Christmas Trade Fayre.
READ MORE
Breakout Scots star urges young people to discover new artists IRL at Celtic Connections coffee pop ups
Katie Gregson-MacLeod is urging young Glaswegians to discover new music IRL as Celtic Connections brings free pop-up gigs to Patricia's x SLB, Through The House and Black Pine this Saturday.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, rides, stalls, street food and live entertainment makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out for all the family!
READ MORE
Calum Bowie gives Barrowland call up to 2 rising stars for landmark 5th December show
Calum Bowie has invited two fresh local talents to support him at his upcoming landmark show in December at The Barrowlands!
READ MORE
Partick Film Festival returns in January with special anniversary screening of Rob Roy
Partick Film Festival returns in January with a range of events including a special 30th anniversary screening of Rob Roy, followed by a Q&A with the director Michael Caton-Jones.
READ MORE
Somewhere by Nico Launches Festive Cocktail Experience
This festive season, Glasgow and Edinburgh relevellers can relive the magic of Christmas past as Somewhere by Nico unveil a brand-new immersive experience!
READ MORE
Beatson Cancer Charity Ambassadog Baxter leads the way at Santa Dash 2025
Beatson Cancer Charity is thrilled to announce that our Ambassadog, Baxter, will be taking part in this year's Santa Dash on Sunday 7th December!
READ MORE
Zizzi celebrates a fresh era with a new menu and app, by giving 132 people free pasta for one year
Zizzi has introduced a new food & drink menu across all its restaurants, launched a brand-new Zizzi app, and is giving 132 people free pasta for one year.
READ MORE
Festive Season at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched some new offerings designed for memorable Christmas stays, spectacular Hogmanay celebrations, and cozy winter escapes.
READ MORE
From The Gannet to Eleven Fifty Five: Peter McKenna announces new Argyle Street restaurant
Peter McKenna, chef-owner of The Gannet in Glasgow, along with Kevin Dow, are set to open a new restaurant, Eleven Fifty Five, in its place in Finnieston early next year.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort to welcome new Mexican restaurant this week
Mezcal, the lively Mexican street-food restaurant, is set to open its doors at Glasgow Fort on Wednesday 26th November, bringing even more choice for visitors ahead of the festive period.
READ MORE
Second year of Urban Forestry Programme opens across Scotland
Community groups, organisations and schools across Scotland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £100,000.
READ MORE
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time returns to Glasgow in March 2027
A brand-new staging of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time based on the internationally celebrated novel comes to Glasgow's Theatre Royal in March 2027!
READ MORE
MINISO is coming to Buchanan Street... get ready to explore!
Global lifestyle sensation MINISO is set to bring its signature blend of joy, creativity, and affordable design to Buchanan Street, with a brand-new store opening on 26th November!
READ MORE
Black Friday Savings at Buchanan Galleries
Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow is abuzz with Black Friday deals, offering shoppers incredible discounts across a wide range of products – from fashion and footwear to jewellery, beauty, and homeware.
READ MORE
The Maclean Brothers row onto Celtic Connections bill as new wave of shows announced
The Maclean Brothers are among a wave of exciting new names to join the world-renowned Celtic Connections bill, it has been announced.
READ MORE
BBC CBeebies starts the panto season at Glasgow cinemas
The CBeebies panto Cinderella is coming to the big screen in Glasgow from Friday 21st November.
READ MORE
The Pavilion Theatre is taking part in the largest Black Friday Theatre Sale in the UK
As part of Trafalgar Entertainment, customers can now access some of the best theatre ticket deals for shows at the Pavilion Theatre as well as unmissable productions in the West End.
READ MORE
BBC ALBA Hogmanay Ceilidh to broadcast live from Glasgow
BBC ALBA will bring together some of Gaelic music's biggest names as Cèilidh na Bliadhn' Ùire returns to Glasgow to celebrate Hogmanay and usher in 2026.
READ MORE
Cast Announced for Flora, a new musical coming to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow
The full cast has been revealed for Flora which sees one of Scotland's most famous daughters, Flora MacDonald, take centre stage to tell her own tale!
READ MORE
Christmas in Edinburgh and Glasgow: Celebrate the festive season with Candlelight Concerts
Featuring classic Christmas carols, this live, multi-sensory musical experience will light up St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral and Merchants House and The Trades Hall for an unforgettable evening.
READ MORE
Innis & Gunn to open the biggest festive beer hall in Glasgow at Winter Wonderland on The Green
Glasgow is getting its largest-ever Christmas beer hall, and it’s all down to award-winning brewer Innis & Gunn.
READ MORE
Find a festive backdrop in Glasgow and the West
From frosty gardens to cosy tearooms, National Trust for Scotland places in Glasgow and the West are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.
READ MORE
Glaswegians invited to Panto Town as Glasgow 850 finishes with festive flourish
Glaswegians are being urged to embrace the unique spirit of the city's pantomimes with the launch of Get You in Panto Town!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries celebrates the season of giving with festive family fun
The magic of Christmas has arrived at Buchanan Galleries, with a heartwarming line-up of festive activities taking place throughout November and December.
READ MORE
Scottish Ballet creates a brand new wee version of the big ballet
Scottish Ballet's Wee Nutcracker is coming to Glasgow's Tramway this December. The beloved festive ballet, The Nutcracker, has been specially adapted for wee ones aged 5+ and their families!
READ MORE
The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz: New adult panto brings comedy to Scotland in January
January needn't be a drag as Scotland's brand-new adult panto, The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz, hits the road, arriving just when the country needs a burst of joy!
READ MORE
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan lead new production of Waiting for Godot at the Citz
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star as Estragon and Vladimir in a new production of Waiting for Godot, co-produced with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Octagon Theatre Bolton.
READ MORE
Hoolie in the Hydro opens doors to young Gaels for Glasgow 850
More than 1,300 Glasgow schoolchildren are being given the opportunity to access live music as part of a special tie-up between Hoolie in the Hydro and Glasgow 850.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links