Festival action springs to life across the city
While medals are won and records broken across Glasgow's sporting venues, something extraordinary is also happening on the streets, in the parks and along the riverbanks.
It is all part of the Glasgow 2026 Festival - a 10-week, city-wide invitation to get involved, featuring spectacular new artworks, major cultural events, and exciting opportunities to take part in sport and activities across every corner of the city.
Kelvingrove Park opened in style as the Game On Live Site for the Games, transforming one of the city's best-loved green spaces into a free, open hub of sport, culture and community.
Games mascot Finnie led a spectacular piper parade through the park, joined by dancers, BMX riders and performers from across the Commonwealth as the site’s packed programme got under way. Throughout the Games Giant screens carry the action from the venues, athletes will take part in live Q&As, and there are countless opportunities to try a range of sports and physical activities, enjoy creative workshops, watch live performances, and join other events inspired by the Games.
Over in Merchant City, the vibrant festival running alongside the Games has launched its opening weekend in style. From street performers and dance to music, art and food - the festival brings arts and performance out of the theatre and onto the pavement. Wander through the streets and you might find yourself face to face with two five-metre-tall Caribbean puppets, inspired by Dominica's national dress.
At SWG3, the city's iconic cultural venue on the banks of the Clyde, a packed calendar of live events kicked off with Kyle Falconer headlining the first day of a Games-time celebration
featuring some of the biggest names in Scottish music. The venue hosts the official Games music programme alongside a packed programme that showcases Glasgow's creativity, energy and cultural scene - bringing together established artists, emerging talent and creative voices from across Scotland and beyond.
Glasgow has always known how to put on a show. Right now, it is proving it on every stage it has.
Glasgow 2026 Festival runs through to 9 August. Visit our City and Festival page to see the full schedule.
