Celtic Connections Festival 2027 – Glasgow, United Kingdom

Overview

Celtic Connections Festival 2027 – Glasgow, United Kingdom is largest winter music festival of its kind and UK’s premier celebration of celtic music. 2,100 artists, 300 events, 20 venues, 1 brilliant festival. First Celtic Connections Festival brought together 35,000 people to celebrate Celtic culture using all available spaces in The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

The focal point of festival is Glasgow Royal Concert Hall where performances take place in every space from workshops in foyers to performances by world class artists. The Old Fruitmarket, City Halls, Barrowland Ballroom, Tron Theatre, Mitchell Theatre, National Piping Centre, Tramway, Mackintosh Church, St Luke’s and Oran Mor also regularly host Celtic Connections concerts. Festival stretches out even further embracing Emirates Arena as performance venue while providing high profile platform for so many home grown emerging and established acts on other city stages.

Festival welcomed 114,000 attendees and 1,600 artists in 2026, hosting events at 25 venues across Glasgow including Old Fruitmarket, SWG3 and Saint Luke’s. This year festival aims to bring over 2,100 musicians from around world for 18 days of concerts, ceilidhs, talks, art exhibitions, workshops and free events in 49 venues around Glasgow. Official information at https://www.celticconnections.com/ phone +44 141 353 8000 and box_office_enquiries@glasgowlife.org.uk.

What Makes This Event Special

Largest Winter Music Festival: Celtic Connections is largest winter music festival of its kind and UK’s premier celebration of celtic music with 2,100 artists, 300 events and 20 venues providing brilliant festival experience that banishes winter blues as it begins in Glasgow.

Royal Concert Hall Focal Point: Focal point is Glasgow Royal Concert Hall where performances take place in every space from workshops in foyers to performances by world class acts. Main auditorium can house up to 2475 people and regularly achieves this capacity as main venue for Celtic Connections festival at start of year. Royal Concert Hall also home of Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Multi-Venue City Takeover: Performers from more than 20 countries will perform across range of genres in 25 venues across city including Americana and orchestral music as well as indie, jazz and blues. Venues include Old Fruitmarket, City Halls, Barrowland Ballroom, Tron Theatre, Mitchell Theatre, National Piping Centre, Tramway, Mackintosh Church, St Luke’s, Oran Mor, SWG3, Saint Luke’s, Emirates Arena and The Glee Club.

Cultural Economic Boost: Outside Glasgow, Scotland enjoyed £1 million boost in net expenditure generated by festival with festival aiming to bring over 2,100 musicians from around world for 18 days of concerts, ceilidhs, talks, art exhibitions, workshops and free events in 49 venues around Glasgow. Festival gives £5 million boost to Glasgow economy and welcomed 114,000 attendees.

Community Spirit: Festival will be meeting place for cultures, ideas and sprinkling of intangible magic, so come and get curious, promise you won’t regret it. Glasgow has proud history of enriching its population with newcomers and festival’s international dimension true reflection of connections that continue to grow when music is shared between artists and audiences.

Lineup / Featured Artists

Celtic Connections lineup reveals diverse acts from around world with musicians from as far away as Pakistan and Sri Lanka performing at Glasgow venues including Barrowland Ballroom.

2026 Headliners: KT Tunstall has already sold out show at Barrowland, Grammy award winning Americana singer songwriter Lyle Lovett will make debut at festival when he headlines at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with his acoustic group. Another Grammy award winning American artist Madison Cunningham will also perform, while Scots Singer of Year Beth Malcolm will showcase forthcoming new album with headline show at Barony Hall.

Historic Acts: Top 10 acts include Boys of the Lough Irish folkies headlined in 2000, Sinead O’Connor controversial Irish singer appeared in 2003, Billy Bragg left wing protest singer also played in 2003, Kate Rusby folk royalty mingled with reformed Mavericks, special Transatlantic Sessions featuring Mary Chapin Carpenter, Saw Doctors Glasgow gig, The Waterboys and Dirk Powell in 2011, Seamus Egan Solas Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole in 2012, Martha Wainwright and Teddy Thompson in 2009, Abigail Washburn Richard Thompson Judith Owen in 2009, Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn Julie Fowlis in 2020, Cherish the Ladies Sharon Shannon Eddi Reader Kris Drever Tryst Michael McGoldrick Band Ross Ainslie Siobhan Miller Saltfishforty in 2018, Shawn Colvin Sarah Jarosz Darrell Scott in 2014, Lindi Ortega Sturgill Simpson at Tron Theatre in 2014, Skerryvore We Banjo 3 at Barrowland Ballroom in 2018, Colter Wall Tyler Childers at Tron Theatre in 2018.

Danny Kyle Open Stage: Key part of Celtic Connections and Danny Kyle Open Stage will return again at winter festival. Format simple named in honour of folk great Danny who always championed fresh and new talent. Each night during festival five or six acts will perform free show at Royal Concert Hall’s Exhibition Hall providing platform for emerging talent.

Festival Club: Our Celtic Connections Festival Club keeps party going every Friday and Saturday during festival at The Glee Club with tickets £14.27 including booking fee at $11.20 pounds, age 18 plus years.

Full lineup for 2027 will be announced via official website with 2,100 artists expected across 300 events.

Event Experience

Workshops in Foyers: Performances take place in every space from workshops in foyers to performances by world class artists at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with Celtic Music Radio broadcasting live from Royal Concert Hall with guests and live performances in second week and Danny Kyle open stage from 5pm until around 7.30pm each day.

Concerts Ceilidhs Talks: Festival aims to bring over 2,100 musicians from around world for 18 days of concerts, ceilidhs, talks, art exhibitions, workshops and free events in 49 venues around Glasgow with meeting place for cultures, ideas and sprinkling of intangible magic.

Transatlantic Sessions: Special Transatlantic Sessions featuring Mary Chapin Carpenter and other Americana artists provide cross Atlantic collaborations with Grammy award winning artists.

Late Night Sessions: Late Night Sessions at Drygate, Merchant City Trad Trail at 11am 2pm tickets from £17 at Scottish Music Centre Candleriggs, Celtic Connections on Campus and Festival Club at The Glee Club keeping party going every Friday and Saturday.

Free Events: Free shows at Royal Concert Hall Exhibition Hall with Danny Kyle Open Stage five or six acts free show each night, plus art exhibitions, workshops and talks across city.

Date & Schedule

Event Dates: 14–31 January 2027

Schedule Structure:
Opening Week: This year Celtic Connections will take place on 15 January to 1 February in 2026 example. Tomorrow Grit Orchestra will open festival in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with opening concert celebrating 25 years of festival. Performers from more than 20 countries perform across range of genres in 25 venues including Americana and orchestral music as well as indie jazz and blues. Workshops in foyers from 11am until 5pm with guests and live performances.

Middle Weeks: Performances take place in every space from workshops in foyers to performances by world class artists at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Old Fruitmarket, City Halls, Barrowland Ballroom, Tron Theatre, Mitchell Theatre, National Piping Centre, Tramway, Mackintosh Church, St Luke’s and Oran Mor. Danny Kyle Open Stage each night five or six acts free show at Royal Concert Hall Exhibition Hall from 5pm until around 7.30pm.

Closing Weekend: Festival stretches out even further embracing Emirates Arena as performance venue while providing high profile platform for so many home grown emerging and established acts on other city stages. Festival Club keeps party going every Friday and Saturday during festival at The Glee Club with tickets £14.27. Merchant City Trad Trail, Celtic Connections on Campus and late night sessions continue until final day.

Celtic Connections banishes winter blues as it begins in Glasgow with thousands of people visiting city and enjoying everything wonderful festival has to offer. For 18 days festival will be meeting place for cultures.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Location & Venue

Venue: Various venues across Glasgow

Address: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY plus Old Fruitmarket, City Halls, Barrowland Ballroom, Tron Theatre and 25 venues

Venue Overview: Focal point of festival is Glasgow Royal Concert Hall where performances take place in every space from workshops in foyers to performances by world class artists. Main auditorium can house up to 2475 people and regularly achieves capacity as main venue for Celtic Connections festival at start of year. Royal Concert Hall home of Royal Scottish National Orchestra and stages many ballet opera and musical performances throughout year.

Capacity: First Celtic Connections Festival brought together 35,000 people to celebrate Celtic culture using all available spaces in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Festival welcomed 114,000 attendees and 1,600 artists in 2026, hosting events at 25 venues across Glasgow including Old Fruitmarket, SWG3 and Saint Luke’s. This year festival aims to bring over 2,100 musicians for 18 days of concerts ceilidhs talks art exhibitions workshops and free events in 49 venues.

Site Layout: Venues include Glasgow Royal Concert Hall focal point, Old Fruitmarket, City Halls, Barrowland Ballroom, Tron Theatre, Mitchell Theatre, National Piping Centre, Tramway, Mackintosh Church, St Luke’s and Oran Mor also regularly host concerts plus Emirates Arena, SWG3, Saint Luke’s, The Glee Club, The Hug and Pint, Glad Cafe, City Halls entrance on Candleriggs.

Facilities: Facilities include main auditorium 2475 capacity, workshops in foyers, Exhibition Hall for Danny Kyle Open Stage free shows, Festival Club at The Glee Club, Victorian Bar and Whisky Bar at Oran Mor, John Muir Room Restaurant and Brasserie Restaurant, private dining room, live music venue, night club and stunning auditorium with mural ceiling by Alasdair Gray. Celtic Music Radio broadcasting live from Royal Concert Hall.

Event History

First Festival: First Celtic Connections Festival brought together 35,000 people to celebrate Celtic culture using all available spaces in The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, establishing largest winter music festival of its kind.

20 Years Harmony: It’s case of 20/20 vision for upcoming annual music festival Celtic Connections. Next event celebrated two decades of winter extravaganza and organisers unveiled lineup among best in its history with folk royalty such as Kate Rusby mingling with reformed Mavericks while special Transatlantic Sessions featured Mary Chapin Carpenter. Now well ingrained into Glasgow’s cultural life festival has gone from strength to strength.

Growth: Festival has gone from strength to strength with morning concert featuring performers that have helped make Festival what is including Orkney’s Saltfishforty and Highland quintet The Elephant Sessions for 25 years celebration opening concert. By October 2020 Shaw under his new title remained spokesperson for festival.

Recent Editions: Festival welcomed 114,000 attendees and 1,600 artists in 2026 hosting events at 25 venues across Glasgow. Outside Glasgow Scotland enjoyed £1 million boost in net expenditure generated by festival. Festival gives £5 million boost to Glasgow economy with aims to bring over 2,100 musicians from around world for 18 days of concerts ceilidhs talks art exhibitions workshops and free events in 49 venues.

Getting to the Event

By Train: Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Central stations provide mainline services from Edinburgh, London and across Scotland with short walk or subway to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall at 2 Sauchiehall Street.

By Subway: Glasgow Subway serves Cowcaddens and Buchanan Street stations within walking distance of Royal Concert Hall and other city centre venues including City Halls and Old Fruitmarket.

By Bus: Local buses serve Glasgow city centre with extensive network to all venues including Barrowland Ballroom, Tramway, Oran Mor and Saint Luke’s.

By Car: City centre car parks near Royal Concert Hall including Buchanan Galleries car park provide parking with limited on-street parking due to city centre location. Park and ride options from outskirts.

Accessibility: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall offers accessible seating, accessible toilets, lifts and hearing loop systems. Many venues including City Halls, Barrowland and Tron Theatre provide accessible facilities with contact via box office enquiries email.

Where to Stay Nearby

City Centre Hotels: Hotels, guesthouses, serviced apartments and hostels across Glasgow city centre within walking distance of Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Old Fruitmarket including Merchant City and Sauchiehall Street area.

Boutique and Luxury: Boutique hotels, luxury hotels and independent guesthouses in West End near Oran Mor and Mitchell Theatre provide options near venues including Tramway and Mackintosh Church.

Budget Options: Premier Inn, Travelodge, hostels and budget hotels provide affordable options with early booking recommended due to 114,000 attendees and £5 million boost to economy.

Extended Stay: Serviced apartments and holiday lets provide options for 18 days of concerts with many visitors staying for full festival duration across 49 venues.

Booking: Early booking essential due to thousands of people visiting city and enjoying everything wonderful festival has to offer with festival embracing Emirates Arena as performance venue and high profile platform for home grown acts.

Things to Do Before or After the Event

Glasgow Culture: Glasgow offers museums including Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Riverside Museum, Gallery of Modern Art, independent shops, restaurants and nightlife near Royal Concert Hall and Merchant City.

Merchant City Trad Trail: Merchant City Trad Trail at 11am 2pm tickets from £17 at Scottish Music Centre Candleriggs provides guided trad music trail around Merchant City ideal for between concerts.

Whisky and Dining: Oran Mor Victorian Bar and Whisky Bar, John Muir Room Restaurant and Brasserie Restaurant offer dining with mural ceiling by Alasdair Gray providing cultural dining experience.

West End Exploration: West End near Oran Mor, Mitchell Theatre and Tramway offers botanic gardens, university campus, independent boutiques and cafes.

Emirates Arena: Emirates Arena as performance venue provides high profile platform with sports facilities and events beyond festival concerts.

Restaurants & Dining Nearby

Concert Hall Dining: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall offers bars, cafes and foyer refreshments during workshops and performances with Celtic Music Radio broadcasting live from hall.

Old Fruitmarket and City Halls: Old Fruitmarket and City Halls area offer bars, cafes and restaurants with Merchant City nearby providing extensive dining including Italian, Indian, Scottish and modern British gastropubs.

West End Dining: West End near Oran Mor offers Victorian Bar and Whisky Bar, John Muir Room Restaurant and Brasserie Restaurant plus private dining room with live music venue and night club and stunning auditorium.

Merchant City: Merchant City offers extensive dining including chain restaurants, independent eateries, street food markets and traditional Scottish pubs near Candleriggs and Scottish Music Centre.

Late Night: Festival Club at The Glee Club and late night sessions at Drygate keep party going every Friday and Saturday during festival with bars and food available after concerts.

Ticket Information

Tickets sold via Glasgow Life and official Celtic Connections website at https://www.celticconnections.com/. All pricing shown in USD, converted from previous UK pricing where 2027 pricing has not been announced.

General Admission: Tickets for Celtic Connections cost $51 at £40 pounds in 2026 listing with tickets here via official site. Ticket type STANDING $21.68 at £17.02 face value £19.11 at £15 pounds plus donation. Tickets from £17 at Scottish Music Centre Candleriggs for Merchant City Trad Trail.

Festival Club: Our Celtic Connections Festival Club keeps party going every Friday and Saturday during festival with tickets $14.27 at £11.20 including booking fee at The Glee Club age 18 plus years. Ticket to Celtic Connections Festival Club for January 31 2026 costs $19.11 at £11.20 pounds sterling $15 including booking fee.

Workshop Pricing: Tickets from $23 at £18 for some events at Tron Theatre, Late Night Sessions Thursday 11pm tickets from $9.56 at £7.50 at Drygate, tickets from $12.74 at £10 for Festival Club at Art School, tickets from $21.68 at £17 for Merchant City Trad Trail.

Booking Fees: Booking fee included in many tickets with donation options such as £1 donation to The Hug and Pint. Tickets from $17.14 at £13.44 from Celtic Connections Festival at Glad Cafe Glasgow for Donald WG Lindsay events.

Donation: £1 donation option available for venues such as The Hug and Pint supporting grassroots venues.

Tips Before You Go

Use Royal Concert Hall as Base: Focal point of festival is Glasgow Royal Concert Hall where performances take place in every space from workshops in foyers to performances by world class artists with Celtic Music Radio broadcasting live from hall for Celtic connections with guests and live performances. Main auditorium can house up to 2475 people regularly achieving capacity as main venue.

Enjoy Danny Kyle Open Stage: Key part of Celtic Connections and Danny Kyle Open Stage will return again at winter festival named in honour of folk great Danny who always championed fresh and new talent. Each night five or six acts perform free show at Royal Concert Hall Exhibition Hall, format simple providing free emerging talent platform.

Explore 25 Venues: Performers from more than 20 countries will perform across range of genres in 25 venues across city including Americana and orchestral music as well as indie jazz and blues with Old Fruitmarket, City Halls, Barrowland Ballroom, Tron Theatre, Mitchell Theatre, National Piping Centre, Tramway, Mackintosh Church, St Luke’s and Oran Mor regularly hosting concerts plus Emirates Arena.

Attend Festival Club: Our Celtic Connections Festival Club keeps party going every Friday and Saturday during festival at The Glee Club with tickets $14.27 including booking fee age 18 plus years providing late night party after main concerts.

Check Trad Trail: Merchant City Trad Trail at 11am 2pm tickets from $21.68 at £17 at Scottish Music Centre Candleriggs plus Celtic Connections on Campus and late night sessions provide daytime activities beyond evening concerts with art exhibitions workshops and free events in 49 venues.

Official Event Information

Official Website: https://www.celticconnections.com/

Phone: +44 141 353 8000

Email: box_office_enquiries@glasgowlife.org.uk

Venue: Various venues including Glasgow Royal Concert Hall 2 Sauchiehall Street Glasgow G2 3NY plus Old Fruitmarket, City Halls, Barrowland Ballroom and 25 venues

Organizer: Glasgow Life and Celtic Connections Festival, Festival Director Donald Shaw

Capacity: 114,000 attendees and 1,600 artists in 2026 with 2,100 musicians from around world expected for 18 days, first festival 35,000 people, main auditorium 2475 capacity

Format: Winter music festival with 300 events, 20 venues, 1 brilliant festival, concerts ceilidhs talks art exhibitions workshops free events

First Held: First Celtic Connections Festival brought together 35,000 people to celebrate Celtic culture using all available spaces in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, now largest winter music festival of its kind

Stages: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall focal point plus Old Fruitmarket, City Halls, Barrowland Ballroom, Tron Theatre, Mitchell Theatre, National Piping Centre, Tramway, Mackintosh Church, St Luke’s, Oran Mor, SWG3, Saint Luke’s, Emirates Arena, Glee Club

Attendee Experiences

Banishes Winter Blues: Attendees note Celtic Connections banishes winter blues as it begins in Glasgow with thousands of people visiting city and enjoying everything wonderful festival has to offer, with meeting place for cultures ideas and sprinkling of intangible magic.

Royal Concert Hall Workshops: Visitors highlight focal point is Glasgow Royal Concert Hall where performances take place in every space from workshops in foyers to performances by world class artists with Celtic Music Radio broadcasting live with guests and live performances providing intimate access.

Multi-Genre Discovery: Fans appreciate performers from more than 20 countries performing across range of genres in 25 venues across city including Americana and orchestral music as well as indie jazz and blues with musicians from as far away as Pakistan and Sri Lanka performing at Barrowland Ballroom.

Economic Boost: Locals note festival gives £5 million boost to Glasgow economy with outside Glasgow Scotland enjoying £1 million boost in net expenditure, with festival aiming to bring over 2,100 musicians from around world for 18 days of concerts ceilidhs talks art exhibitions workshops and free events in 49 venues.

Danny Kyle Free Stage: Attendees praise Danny Kyle Open Stage key part of festival returning again with five or six acts free show at Royal Concert Hall Exhibition Hall each night named in honour of folk great Danny who always championed fresh and new talent providing free emerging platform.