Merchant City Festival is back for 2022! We are delighted to welcome back one of the most colourful and entertaining events in Glasgow after a two-year hiatus. From Thursday 28th – Sunday 31st July, Glasgow turns into a spectacle of outdoor arts, circus, dance and more – with events happening in and around the streets and venues of the Merchant City area. We’ve been promised the biggest and best Merchant City Festival yet and the city will be heaving with locals and visitors making the most of the entertainment. Book accommodation in our serviced apartments in Glasgow soon to avoid disappointment on one of the busiest weekends of the year
Merchant City Festival
Merchant City is an area close to George Square and Glasgow City Chambers with some parts dating from the medieval period. The Merchant City Festival is a major cultural festival which takes place every year attracting more than 55,000 people. The four-day festival gives a huge stage to the very best of Scotland’s theatre, music, visual arts, comedy, dance, film, fashion and foodie talent. The festival hosts everything from opera singers in courtyards to reggae in gardens, alongside a mini film festival. Most events are free of charge to all visitors. The festival is sponsored by Glasgow Life, a charity that inspires people to lead richer and more active lives through culture and sport.
Merchant City Festival Markets
Back for the first time since 2019, the Merchant City Festival Markets are back giving craft, maker’s market and food stalls an outdoor area to trade. The Merchant City Craft Fair is the oldest in the city. From handcrafted jewellery, candles, cards and cupcakes through to artwork, aromatherapy products, baby clothes and photography, there is something for everyone. All of the exhibitors and sellers at this very special market hand make their products in Glasgow so you’re supporting independent, home-grown businesses while getting something truly unique to remember your time here. The market is located at 71 Albion Street, less than 10 minutes’ walk from our Georges Square serviced apartment accommodation in Glasgow.
Thursday 28thJuly
Merchant City Festival has launched its programme for this year’s exciting long weekend of entertainment The Carnival Party will kick the festival off in style on Thursday 28 July from 4pm-8pm, with dancers and musical performances. This fantastic party is a result of 3 months of hard work by a local community outreach programme. Enjoy sing-along and dance-along screenings run by Dance HQ in the Grand Hall in Glasgow’s City Halls each day of the festival. Children’s Disney Favourite Encanto will also be shown on Thursday as well as family discos and cèilidhs. Grown ups can enjoy the unique comedy stylings of the unfiltered Glaswegian comedy act, Big Angie.
Friday 29th July
Friday is a day for families at the festival in partnership with the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival. Events include The Happiness Collectors, an immersive and interactive live audio performance ideal for children aged 5-10. Walkabout in Merchant City will have amazing acts around Merchant Square with lots of dance and music workshops to enjoy. Adults can enjoy the Hip Replacement Club Night in the Old Fruitmarket. There will also be music taking place in Merchant Square each night of the festival, with entertainment from a DJ, a tribute act, a jazz piano recital, a vocalist group and so much more.
Saturday & Sunday 30th & 31st July
Saturday kicks off the weekend with a huge range of entertainment for all ages to enjoy. Families can enjoy the Boogie Unicorn Disco or join in the sing and dance along at Trolls, Sing 2 and Encanto. Old children will love BMX Freestyle Flatland tricks and stunts live in George Square. Saturday and Sunday will also see a full outdoor programme of multimedia theatre performances entitled ‘The Love Supreme Roadshow’ at the Old Fruitmarket. You can enjoy performances from Scotland-based Jamaican singer-songwriter iBrina in City Halls or fantastic comedy, theatre, dance, and movement performances in venues across the city. Most events are free to attend but you may need tickets. For more information and the full programme, visit merchantcityfestival.com.
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