Glasgow Life confirms 2025 Summer of Events programme
Glasgow Life has unveiled a thrilling 2025 Summer of Events programme which will bring top local, national and international artists, musicians and performers to Glasgow!
Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 23 April 2025 9:17
Image Credit: Kris Kesiak
The city will once again be home to plenty of free and low-cost cultural and family-friendly entertainment when the Glasgow Mela, Merchant City Festival and World Pipe Band Championships return between June and August.
Glasgow Life, the charity that leads culture and sport in Glasgow, will launch its Summer of Events with the ever-popular Mela in Kelvingrove Park on Sunday 22 June.
The Mela is Glasgow’s multicultural music, dance and arts festival and is free for all to enjoy. Festival goers can expect first-class performances by Glaswegian, Scottish and overseas acts, including Gtown Desi, Saloni and Maya Lakhani.
The Mela also features food from around the world and gives people a chance to play a mix of sports like tennis, pickleball, kabaddi and volleyball.
During the event, Kelvingrove Bandstand will host various panel discussions and workshops. The topics include health and wellbeing through the arts, music and memory and South Asian artists in experimental practices.
The bandstand will also stage a collaboration with Glasgow Life Museums’ Intercultural Youth Group. The programme will build on the Scottish-Asian Creative Artists’ Network’s aim to raise and discuss key issues within and for South Asian communities through the Mela.
Glasgow’s Summer of Events will continue when the Merchant City Festival brings its special blend of arts, circus, dance, live music and more to the streets and venues of the Merchant City from Friday 18 July to Sunday 20 July.
Image Credit: Kris Kesiak
Merchant City Festival event sponsors Merchant Square and The Social Hub will be among the facilities featuring activities and performances from Scotland’s children’s theatre agency Imaginate, leading outdoor arts agency Surge Festival and Bridgeman Arts.
Among the shows set to wow audiences at this year’s festival is Follow Me, a performance which follows two urban acrobats on a surprising and interactive journey through the Merchant City. Scotland’s own Dudendance will present Alien Species, featuring spectacular costumes that can be shed, shaped and transformed by the wind.
This Merchant City Festival will also include shows by Four Nations bursary acts, newly created by street performers from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales.
The 2025 Merchant City Festival will launch with a mass participation ceilidh as part of the Glasgow 850 programme celebrating the 850 years since the city gained Burgh status in 1175. Festivalgoers will again be able to look round its famous markets and food stalls which stock various eye-catching items and delicious delicacies.
Glasgow’s Summer of Events will sign off in sensational style with the World Pipe Band Championships on Glasgow Green on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 August.
Image Credit: Alan Harvey (SNS)
Scotland’s biggest week of bagpipes, Piping Live!, is also being held in Glasgow this year. The festival will run from Monday 11 August to Sunday 17 August.
The World Pipe Band Championships pit the best pipers and drummers on the planet against one another in a bid to be named World Champions. The 2024 competitive piping spectacular starred 204 bands from 13 countries, with more than 7,000 pipers and drummers taking to the field.
Tickets for the 2025 World Pipe Band Championships will go on sale in May. Visit www.theworlds.co.uk for more information.
Billy Garrett, Director of Culture, Tourism and Events at Glasgow Life, said: “There is a lot to get excited about in Glasgow this summer, with the Mela, Merchant City Festival and World Pipe Band Championships promising fantastic days out and a chance to make unforgettable memories with family and friends. Our Summer of Events programme is central to the city’s cultural events calendar and helps to improve people’s mental, physical and economic wellbeing by offering something fun for everyone to enjoy.”
To stay up to date with Glasgow’s Summer of Events, subscribe to the Glasgow Life newsletter.
The Glasgow Mela and Merchant City Festival formed two of seven successful Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding 2025-28 applications made by Glasgow Life.
Creative Scotland confirmed on 30 January 2025 it has awarded the Mela £50,000 for 2025-26. In total, the event will benefit from £169,100 of Creative Scotland funding over the next three years. This year’s Merchant City Festival will receive £62,834 from Creative Scotland and £227,167 in total between 2025 and 2028.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Brand new craft event encourages mindfulness, creativity and relaxation
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to an afternoon of creativity, connection, and cake this January, with a brand-new Crafternoon Tea Club.
READ MORE
Christmas has come early! Glasgow youngster wins the entire DreamToys list in national competition
One very lucky youngster from Glasgow has been crowned the winner of an incredible festive giveaway – taking home all 15 toys featured on this year's coveted DreamToys list.
READ MORE
Christmas has arrived in Glasgow, The IRN BRU Carnival returns for its 106th year
Europe's largest indoor fun fair, The IRN-BRU Carnival, has opened to the public at Glasgow's SEC with its greatest show to date!
READ MORE
The River Inn launches dream wedding reception giveaway worth thousands
One lucky couple to win a luxury wedding reception for up to 100 guests... completely free!
READ MORE
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!
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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!
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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!
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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
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
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
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 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 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
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
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 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 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
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
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
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
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 MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links