A much-loved festival is bringing its biggest ever programme of free family fun to the heart of\u00a0Glasgow this summer.<\/p>\n
The annual Merchant City<\/a> Festival,\u00a0delivered by Glasgow Life, returns from July 24 to August 2,offering visitor 10 days of entertainment across the Merchant City and surrounding areas.<\/p>\n Thanks to new funding from the Glasgow 2026 Festival, this year\u2019s event will feature more than double the number of events and performers than in 2025.<\/p>\n The majority of events are free to attend, making the festival one of the most accessible options for summer entertainment in Glasgow<\/p>\n For the first time, the festival will also expand into The Briggait, transforming the historic venue into an indoor cultural hub.<\/p>\n The Briggait will host Clydeside Commons, a dedicated space offering street food, DJ sets and interactive family activities inspired by the River Clyde.<\/p>\n Glasgow food festival to explore culture, identity and shared heritage<\/a> The Briggait (Image: Contributed)<\/p>\n This year’s programme includes live music, creative workshops, global street food, storytelling and dance.<\/p>\n Two highlights in the expanded Briggait programme are the Watershed children\u2019s activities and the Clydeside Commons food and culture zone, both of which offer a relaxed indoor setting for families to enjoy between events.<\/p>\n One of the standout events for children is the storytelling picnic led by Zimbabwean poet and storyteller Tawona Sithole.<\/p>\n The session, running on July 25 and 26 from 12pm to 1pm, will invite children to bring their cuddly toys and enjoy stories inspired by the River Clyde.<\/p>\n Vince Virr (Image: Contributed)<\/p>\n Another fun addition is Future Town Planners, an interactive workshop led by artist Katrine Turner.<\/p>\n Children will be invited to imagine the future of the Clyde, donning fake moustaches and exploring what Glasgow could look like through hands-on play.<\/p>\n This session will run on July 25 and 26 from 1pm to 4pm.<\/p>\n Major Glasgow festival and carnival to return for 10th edition this summer<\/a> The Briggait will also come alive in the evenings with DJ sets featuring global sounds and Glasgow talent.<\/p>\n A special session curated by Parveens will take place on July 31, followed by Radio Buena Vida x Jess Maloney\u2019s World of Twist on August 1.<\/p>\n Food vendors Raffa\u2019s Kitchen, Uplands Roast and Delhi\u2019s Winter will be on hand throughout the festival.<\/p>\n On July 25, a free family ceilidh featuring the Celine Donoghue Band will be held at Merchant Square from 5pm to 7pm.<\/p>\n Merchant Square will also host a family day on July 25 and 26 from 11am to 5pm.<\/p>\n The event will feature roaming performers, entertainers in towering wigs, clown acts, acrobatics and playful activities for children of all ages.<\/p>\n Candleriggs Square will be home to a 10-day street food market featuring flavours from around the world, as well as a live music stage and a family activity area.<\/p>\n Full details and booking information are available at glasgowlife.org.uk\/whats-on\/merchant-city-festival.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A much-loved festival is bringing its biggest ever programme of free family fun to the heart of\u00a0Glasgow 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