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.

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 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. Festivalgoers 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 experimental performances by South Asian artists and a collaboration with Glasgow Life Museums’ Intercultural Youth Group.

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.

The theme of this year’s Merchant City Festival is Fair: Play – a celebration of Glasgow’s Fair Fortnight tradition when people take time off to rest and play.

Event sponsors Merchant Square and The Social Hub will be among the venues featuring activities and performances from Scotland’s children’s theatre agency Imaginate, leading outdoor arts agency Surge Festival and Bridgeman Arts.

This year’s 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.

The Merchant City Festival’s famous markets and food stalls will also 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.

Scotland’s biggest week of bagpipes, Piping Live!, is also being held in Glasgow this year from Monday 11 August to Sunday 17 August.