Glasgow invited to celebrate as Citizens Theatre reopens with Homecoming Festival
A community procession in the Gorbals on Saturday 23rd August will officially reopen the Citizens Theatre, launching a season of Homecoming celebrations!
Article Source: Citizens Theatre
Last Updated: 23 July 2025 11:03
Image Credit: Citizens Theatre Auditorium - Mike Hume
After a transformative seven-year redevelopment of its Gorbals home, the Citizens Theatre today marks one month until it reopens to the public on Saturday 23 August 2025, launching a city-wide invitation to experience the new building and everything it now offers.
Catrin Evans, Participate Director, Citizens Theatre, said: “The Homecoming Festival is inspired by our fantastic new building which we know so many people are keen to get inside - but it's also about so much more. It’s about reconnecting with our neighbours, welcoming new voices, and celebrating creativity itself as a form of home-making. We’re offering a range of activities so that everyone and anyone can step into the Citizens Theatre, try something new, take themselves on a journey and feel that this space belongs to them. Whether it’s your first time through the doors or you’ve been part of the Citz story for years, we can’t wait to welcome you.”
Kicking off the celebrations, Gorbals residents are invited to join a vibrant community procession, departing from The Barn at 12.30pm. Together, they’ll make their way to Gorbals Street, crossing the threshold of the Citizens Theatre to reawaken the building and usher in a bold new chapter.
Leading the procession are two specially crafted puppets – Comedy and Tragedy – inspired by two of the Greek goddess statues on top of our building, Melpomene (Tragedy) and Thalia (Comedy). These colourful, larger-than-life characters haven’t had anywhere to play while the Citizens Theatre was closed – but now, they’re finally making their way home. As they travel through some of the new housing that has emerged whilst they've been gone, they'll be joined by community performances and interactive moments, inviting everyone to take part in the story. The procession ends at the new Citizens Theatre, where alongside poetry and song, a co-created living heritage banner will be unveiled – a beautiful artwork made with neighbours and the wider community, celebrating the many voices, cultures, and stories that shape the theatre’s home.
Doors to the Citizens Theatre will then remain open for a full Open House weekend of free celebratory activities, giving the public their first chance in over seven years to step back inside this much-loved building. Everyone is invited to come in, explore, take part and enjoy the space - whether eager to get hands-on with creative workshops, excited to get a moment on the main stage, or simply want to soak up the atmosphere of this iconic venue.
Following the Open House weekend, celebrations continue. Between 28 August and 5 September, bookable activity includes First Look building tours, taster workshops and special events designed to welcome even more people into the newly reopened Citizens Theatre.
More information about all workshops and tours is available from citz.co.uk
Homecoming then moves onto the stage, as live performance makes its long-awaited return to the Citizens Theatre - launching a landmark year of bold storytelling and unmissable theatre. Opening the main stage on 12 September is Small Acts of Love, a powerful new play by Frances Poet, with songs and lyrics by Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross. Inspired by true events, it tells the moving story of the extraordinary friendships forged between Lockerbie residents and American families in the wake of the Pan Am 103 atrocity. Featuring a large ensemble cast of 14 and a live roots band, this is theatre with heart, humanity and a powerful sense of place.
Then in October, the new 150-seat Studio Theatre is opened with two productions devised and presented by the theatre’s Participate groups – Close by the Young Co, which opens on 08 October, and Making Your Mark by the Citz Community Collective, which opens on 22 October.
The Citizens Theatre’s redevelopment and Homecoming celebrations have been made possible thanks to the generous support of key funders — including the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Creative Scotland, and Historic Environment Scotland — alongside a wide range of trusts, foundations and individual supporters as well as the many local organisations whose collaboration and support has been instrumental.
Kate Denby, Executive Director, Citizens Theatre, said: “The reopening of the Citizens Theatre marks a hugely significant moment – not just for the building, but for everyone who holds this theatre close to their heart. Our Homecoming year is a celebration of creativity, community, and connection. It’s been made possible by the extraordinary efforts of so many people, and we’re proud to be opening our doors with a programme that invites everyone to be part of our next chapter. The Citz has always been a theatre for the people of Glasgow – and now, more than ever, we want everyone to feel welcome here.”
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The Citizens Theatre is held in great affection in Glasgow and far beyond. Over history it has nurtured and launched inspiring talent from its home in the Gorbals onto a worldwide stage. Generations of Glaswegians have been part of the Citz story so it’s only right that community involvement continues to take centre stage of their reopening and future plans. It’s important to us that projects we fund, support inclusion, access and participation in heritage so I’m excited to see the doors to this jewel, which has been transformed thanks to support from the National Lottery, thrown open to welcome everyone back in, reaffirming people’s pride in the Citizens Theatre and in their community.”
For more information about all Homecoming activity and ways to get involved, visit citz.co.uk
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Calling all runners... grab a FREE post race drink from Flight Club Glasgow
Flight Club is inviting Glasgow AJ Bell Great Scottish Run participants to celebrate their incredible effort with a complimentary drink on Sunday 5th October!
READ MORE
Flight Club is giving out hundreds of prizes on the streets of Glasgow in October
The team behind the home of Social Darts is embarking on a nationwide charity tour in celebration of its 10th birthday and dishing out treats to its fans along the way!
READ MORE
GlasGLOW adds extra week after 35,000 tickets snapped up in days
City's biggest Halloween show extended as nostalgia-fuelled 'Miles Better' theme takes Glasgow by storm, with new dates on sale on Wednesday 17th September at 7.30am!
READ MORE
Wedding venue Crossbasket Castle unveils exquisite new menu curated by Michelin starred chef Michel Roux
Scotland's premier five-star luxury wedding destination, Crossbasket Castle, has unveiled a new decadent wedding menu crafted exclusively by world-renowned Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.
READ MORE
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate joins full cast of Death on the Nile at the Theatre Royal
The full cast has been announced for Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile which comes to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in February.
READ MORE
Spooky season returns to town with the announcement of Paisley Halloween Festival 2025
Paisley Halloween Festival will return to town next month to celebrate the spooky season with a packed programme of frightful fun for all the family!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORE
Matilda the Musical comes to Glasgow for the first time
The Royal Shakespeare Company's smash hit production of Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl's beloved book, will come to Glasgow for the very first time in 2026!
READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025
Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORE
A jewellery store in Glasgow Fort is doubling in size following investment
Family-owned national diamond, jewellery and watch retailer, Beaverbrooks, is doubling the size of its Glasgow Fort store with a £1.3m investment.
READ MORE
Forget a boring beige Christmas in Glasgow...
This festive season at SWG3, Bongo's Bingo is transporting everyone back to the time where coloured tree lights and flammable tinsel ruled supreme!
READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MORE
Popular Sunday BBQ returns to Glasgow favourite Sebbs
One of Glasgow's favourites is flipping the idea of a traditional roast on its head with the return of its Sunday BBQ later this month.
READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie
Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour
Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
SOAPYFEST raises thousands for Beatson Cancer Charity and Marie Curie
The Barrowland Ballroom was filled with love, laughter, and music as friends, family and supporters came together for SOAPYFEST, raising over £18K in support of Beatson Cancer Charity and Marie Curie
READ MORE
M&Ds teams up with Zombie Infection for a heart pounding, live action horror attraction
M&D's is set to transform into Scotland's Scream Park with the launch of Zombie Checkpoint, a live action immersive horror experience creating a heart racing adventure not for the faint hearted.
READ MORE
Topgolf Glasgow launches new field goal challenge game this autumn
Topgolf Glasgow is bringing a taste of the gridiron to Scotland this autumn with the launch of its brand-new Field Goal Challenge game.
READ MORE
GlasGLOW sells over 20,000 tickets in first hour as fans rush to relive 80s magic
GlasGLOW fever has gripped Glasgow once again, with more than 20,000 tickets for this year's GlasGLOW's Miles Better show snapped up within just 60 minutes of being released.
READ MORE
Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland
Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MORE
20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORE
A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORE
Even more acts added to Tenement Trail 2025, set to take over the East End on Saturday 11th October
Multi-venue music festival taking over Glasgow's East End this October confirms Dead Pony and 14 new acts!
READ MORE
2025 Aye Write programme announced as tickets go on sale for annual book festival
Tickets will go on sale for Aye Write, Glasgow's long-established and much-loved book festival, at 11am today.
READ MORE
Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party
It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!
READ MORE
Birds Fried Chicken launches collaboration series with Corner Shop
Birds Fried Chicken is taking its signature Southern-style fried chicken out of its natural Shawlands habitat and into new, unexpected settings with the launch of Rare Birds!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries champions Zero Waste Week with retailer initiatives for conscious consumers
Buchanan Galleries is marking Zero Waste Week (1 – 5 September 2025) by showcasing the centre's wide range of sustainable retail initiatives!
READ MORE
Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month
Business Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.
READ MORE
Pop up play town brings big imaginations to little ones
A new role-play experience is popping up in community venues across Greater Glasgow this month bringing pint-sized professions and plenty of pretend fun to preschoolers and their families.
READ MORE
Local musicians to perform at outdoor charity concert at Nostrana restaurant
Summer may be over, but music festival season is still here, with an exciting outdoor concert in aid of Mary's Meals taking place in Glasgow's West End on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links