The Merchant City Festival returns to Glasgow from 24 July to 2 August 2026 with its largest programme to date, featuring more than double the number of events and performers compared to the previous year. The festival transforms the city centre into a vibrant hub of music, food, art, and family-friendly activities, with the majority of events free of charge.
New Venue: The Briggait Opens as Festival Space
For the first time, The Briggait, one of Glasgow's most iconic historic buildings, will serve as a festival venue thanks to new funding. Inside, visitors will find Clydeside Commons, an indoor cultural hub combining street food, DJs, and seating. Next door, The Watershed hosts interactive workshops and family activities inspired by the River Clyde.
Children’s Storytelling Picnic with Tawona Sithole
A key highlight is the Children’s Storytelling Picnic, led by Zimbabwean poet and storyteller Tawona Sithole, a lecturer in Creative Practice Education at the University of Glasgow and co-founder of Seeds of Thought arts group. Children are invited to bring their favourite teddy bears for imaginative storytelling inspired by the River Clyde. The free sessions run Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July from 12pm to 1pm, but booking is required.
Future Town Planners Workshop
Artist Katrine Turner leads Future Town Planners, a drop-in workshop where children can don fake moustaches and reimagine Glasgow's cityscape and riverside. The free sessions run Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July from 1pm to 4pm, suitable for all ages.
Clydeside Commons and Evening Social Space
At The Briggait, Clydeside Commons offers a relaxed indoor space with street food vendors including Raffa’s Kitchen, Uplands Roast, and Delhi’s Winter. In the evening, the venue transforms into a social space with a curated DJ programme celebrating global sounds and local talent. The space is free to enter; food and drinks are available for purchase. It operates over two weekends: 24-26 July and 31 July-2 August.
Family Ceilidh at Merchant Square
Merchant Square hosts a free Family Ceilidh with live music from the Celine Donoghue Band on Saturday 25 July from 5pm to 7pm, welcoming all ages and abilities to traditional Scottish dancing. The square also features a dedicated family day on 25-26 July from 11am to 5pm, with roaming performers, acrobats, clown acts, and interactive entertainment—no booking required.
Global Street Food Market and Live Music
Candleriggs Square hosts a 10-day Global Street Food market from 24 July to 2 August, offering international flavours alongside a free live music stage featuring jazz, indie, trad, and hip hop. The area also includes family activities during the week and live sport screenings. Entry is free; food and drink are available for purchase.
Organisers say the largely free programme offers one of the most accessible days out for families in the city, with events spread across Merchant City, Merchant Square, City Halls, Candleriggs Square, and The Briggait. More information is available on the Glasgow Life website.
