Scotland's first-ever WOMAD Festival will take place in Glasgow
16 December 2025
Glasgow to host WOMAD Festival in 2026
Glasgow is set to host an international music, arts and dance festival celebrating cultural expression from around the globe.
The first-ever WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) in Scotland will bring global artists to Kelvingrove Park on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 July 2026.
WOMAD Glasgow promises an eclectic line-up of high-profile and emerging artists performing a vast range of global music including pop, dance, folk, jazz and hip-hop and beyond across three stages.
Festivalgoers can also look forward to free workshops led by musicians and dancers from around the world, try exotic foods cooked by the artists and learn about new cultures through a series of insightful talks.
WOMAD will be brought to Glasgow by WOMAD International in partnership with Glasgow Life – the charity which delivers culture, events and active living in Glasgow – and Celtic Connections, Glasgow’s annual folk, roots and world music festival which will help to programme the event.
WOMAD Glasgow to bring music, arts and dance to Kelvingrove Park
WOMAD Glasgow will bring global artists to Kelvingrove Park in July 2026
Artists from all over the world will perform across three stages during WOMAD Glasgow
WOMAD Glasgow festivalgoers can expect a variety of music, including pop, dance, folk, jazz and hip-hop
WOMAD first took place in 1982, when former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel and a group of like-minded and musically curious Bristolians put on the original festival in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
Today, WOMAD is a global phenomenon. Over the past three decades, the festival has taken place in 30 countries, with events held in Fuerteventura and Cáceres in Spain, Santiago in Chile and Taranaki, New Zealand, among others. There is also an annual Australian version called WOMADelaide.
Some of the headline acts who have performed at WOMAD festivals over the years include Peter Gabriel himself, Glasgow’s own Simple Minds, Australian and New Zealand rock band Crowded House, American R&B and soul singer Macy Gray, rap group De La Soul and English rock outfit Echo and the Bunnymen.
Billy Garrett, Director of Culture, Tourism and Events at Glasgow Life, said: “It is fitting that Glasgow, the UK’s first UNESCO City of Music, will add WOMAD Festival to the growing list of spectacular cultural events taking place in the city in 2026. Glasgow’s UNESCO City of Music status continues to open doors for international collaboration, tourism development, and inclusive cultural programming, reinforcing our city’s standing as a dynamic global hub for music lovers and creators alike. The addition of WOMAD further enhances Glasgow’s enviable cultural events calendar, which already features the likes of Celtic Connections, Glasgow Film Festival, Glasgow International Comedy Festival, the Glasgow Mela, TRNSMT and the Merchant City Festival, among others. Glasgow will proudly join other WOMAD host cities around the world like Adelaide, Las Palmas, Rome and Santiago in hosting a celebration of extraordinary arts performances which emphasises the importance of community, diversity and mutual respect.”
Peter Gabriel, Founder of WOMAD, said: “It’s brilliant to see the first Scottish WOMAD and thanks to Glasgow Life for giving us this wonderful opportunity. Glasgow is one of the first UNESCO cities of music and it’s always had a warm and welcoming attitude to the people and cultures of the world. At a time when hatred is being deliberately whipped up and when differences are being exploited for political gain, it’s increasingly important to have a meeting place which goes in the other direction; where our differences are celebrated, enjoyed and bring us together.”
The WOMAD Glasgow line-up and tickets will be released in early 2026 via the WOMAD Glasgow website and social media channels. Visit the WOMAD Glasgow website and sign up to be among the first to find out more.