Glasgow Mela bringing free international music and arts to Kelvingrove Park

Scotland’s biggest South Asian festival returns to Glasgow’s west end on Sunday 5 July 2026 (12-8pm), with local and overseas acts due to perform everything from traditional beats to modern sounds in front of thousands of festivalgoers during the free event.

Glasgow Life, the charity which delivers culture, events and active living in Glasgow, is holding the Mela as part of its Summer of Events programme, which also includes the Merchant City Festival (24 July-2 August) and World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green (14 and 15 August).

Glasgow Mela festivalgoers can expect a bold and eclectic line-up spanning Bhangra, Bharatanatyam, hip-hop, alt-rock, qawwali, folk, jazz, soul, Indian classical and electronic crossover music.

As a key event of the Glasgow 2026 Festival (23 May-9 August), which is transforming the city into a summer-long cultural showcase before, during and after the Commonwealth Games, the Mela will feature standout performances and special commissions by artists from around the Commonwealth.

In the afternoon, the Hamara Stage will host everything from the Bombay Baja brass band blending Bollywood and street sounds (12.35pm) to Ottan Thullal (3.40pm), a traditional South Indian performance art combining storytelling, rhythm, dance and theatre.

Later in the day, the Navras Stage will be lit up by headline performances from Glasgow-based Bhangra, hip-hop and electronic music DJ Gtown Desi (4.55pm), contemporary Punjabi folk band Apna Sangeet (5.35pm), and Punjabi musician and vocal powerhouse Nachhatar Gill (6.45pm).

The Hamara Stage will showcase a variety of artistic, spoken word and musical performances throughout the event, including classical Indian melodies by Ustad Satwinderpal Singh (5.10pm) and Bollywood and Sufi music from brother and sister duo Pooja Angra and Karan Rana (6pm).

As Glasgow gets ready to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games (23 July-2 August), the King’s Baton will visit this year’s Mela as part of the King’s Baton Relay to celebrate Team Scotland, Scottish sport, the Commonwealth, Scottish culture and the Games itself. The baton will be presented on the Navras Stage at approximately 3.05pm during a performance of Eadarinn, a new collaboration exploring Scottish and South Asian identity. Glasgow 2026 mascot Finnie will also make an appearance during the visit of the King’s Baton.

The 2026 Mela will offer various creative workshops and interactive events. The activities in the main Mela workshop tent include a Commonwealth Games-related craft session (12-2pm), which gives people a chance to make their own medals, and an In Conversation: Our Shared Cultural Heritage and Glasgow Museums Intercultural Youth Group discussion (2-3pm) led by young South Asians covering heritage, museums and colonialism and its legacies.

The main workshop tent will also feature a music, memory and movement-focused event. This session will be held by Playlist for Life, a leading UK charity that uses music to support people affected by dementia, and Tarang Art and Wellbeing Association of Scotland (TAWAS), a Glasgow organisation that supports diverse communities through dance and wellbeing activities. The Playlist for Life and TAWAS workshop (3-5pm) will look at how nostalgic South Asian songs can spark connection, support wellbeing activities and open up conversation.

The Mela’s writer in residence tent will be home to a session with Creatives of Colour and Scottish Black people, People of Colour (BPOC) Writers Network from 12-5pm.

As always, the Mela market stalls will serve up food from around the world. Renowned Indian restaurant Dishoom and rice brand Tilda are among the 41 stallholders at this year’s event.

There will also be opportunities to play a mix of sports, including archery, cricket, hockey and tennis.

Julie Pearson, Head of Events at Glasgow Life, said: “The stage is set for a bumper summer of culture and sport in Glasgow and, as a flagship event of the Glasgow 2026 Festival, this year’s Mela will bring a top line-up of music, dance and arts to Kelvingrove Park. Glasgow is famed for its cultural diversity and creativity, and the 2026 Mela programme is a fitting reflection of that reputation. The Mela presents an opportunity to enjoy a great day out with family and friends while soaking up the wonderful atmosphere of Scotland’s biggest South Asian festival in the unique setting of Kelvingrove Park.” 

Hardeep Singh, Co-Producer of the Glasgow Mela, said: “Every year, the Glasgow Mela reminds us why this festival is so special. It's a chance for people from every background to come together, celebrate each other's cultures and create new connections through music, dance, food and shared experiences. I'm incredibly proud of this year's programme and grateful to every artist, volunteer, partner and member of the team who has helped bring it to life. I hope everyone who comes along leaves with a smile, discovers something new and feels that Glasgow truly is a city that celebrates everyone.” 

Phil Batty, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026, said: “The Glasgow Mela perfectly captures what major events are all about – bringing communities together and celebrating the diversity that makes Glasgow such a welcoming and vibrant host city. The Glasgow Mela showcases the cultures and creativity that shape our city. As a flagship event in the Glasgow 2026 Festival, it creates a space for people to connect as the excitement of the Games builds. As we count down the days to the opening ceremony, the Mela shows that Glasgow 2026 is about much more than sport; it is a city-wide party to which everyone is invited.”

The Mela has become an eagerly anticipated date in Glasgow’s cultural calendar. Glasgow’s first Mela was held in 1990, when the city was named European City of Culture. Initially an indoor celebration at the then newly opened Tramway, it has since become a massive outdoor event, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and hundreds of artists and performers from around the world.

Visit www.glasgowmela.com and check out the Glasgow Mela’s Facebook and Instagram channels for more information.