WestFest 2026 launches with ambitious plans for fourth annual festival
Glasgow's biggest community-led cultural festival returns in June, with organisers anticipating around 200 events across 60+ West End venues – a significant expansion from last year!
Article Source: WestFest
Last Updated: 23 January 2026 9:25
Image credit: Gavin McCourt / WestFest's Big Sunday on Kelvin Way, June 2025
WestFest, Glasgow's biggest community-led cultural festival, returns from 1st–28th June 2026, with organisers anticipating around 200 events across 60+ West End venues – a significant expansion from 2025's 151 events which drew 110,000 people.
The festival has officially opened for submissions from artists, venues and groups looking to participate in this year's programme, with a deadline of 5pm on 28th March.
Festival Director Brendon McIlroy, who founded WestFest in 2022 in response to overwhelming demand for a cultural festival in the West End, says: “We're really excited to be approaching our fourth year, particularly given the significant challenges facing the arts sector right now.”
McIlroy explains that strong local involvement and partnership is the big priority for 2026: “We're working much more closely with residents, groups and organisations across the West End to make sure people have a genuine voice in what we do and that they're at the heart of the festival.”
Festivalgoers can expect the return of many favourites in 2026 alongside WestFest's popular free outdoor events, which will be announced in due course.
This year's festival also introduces an expanded schools and outreach strand featuring talks and workshops at Kelvin Hall, as well as author events in local schools and the University of Glasgow's ARC.
WestFest will also connect with Glasgow's "Festival 2026" Commonwealth Games celebrations, positioning the West End programme within the broader city-wide cultural calendar.
“Despite the ongoing funding challenges faced by our festival and others like us, we've continued to grow each year—driven by strong partnerships and a determination to make WestFest happen,” says McIlroy. “Last year we exceeded 110k attendances. For 2026 we're focused on sustaining that momentum while deepening our work with communities, venues and artists- ensuring WestFest remains accessible to everyone.”
WestFest will announce its full 2026 programme in mid-April with a public launch event (TBC).
Performers, venues, groups and anyone interested in being part of the festival are encouraged to get in touch to discuss listing their event. The process is straightforward and inexpensive, and the WestFest team will be on hand to provide support every step of the way.
Submit your event or find out more at www.westfest.uk
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