Glasgow 2014: Festival 2014 highlights

An artist's impression of what the Commonwealth Games' 'Festival 2014' may look like. Picture: Contributed

Opening parties, Glasgow Green, Kelvingrove Bandstand, Old Fruitmarket, 23 July: A choice of three venues are on offer to help get the city into the festival spirit while watching the opening ceremony from Celtic Park on giant screens, with Belle & Sebastian, Lulu, Eddi Reader and Braebach among the live performers.

Celtic Connections, Glasgow Green, 25 July: The city’s long-running traditional, folk and world music events stages a one-off summer event featuring performers from Nigeria, South Africa, India and Scotland.

 Glasgow Mix Tape, Glasgow Green, 2 August: Edwyn Collins, Lloyd Cole, Admiral Fallow, The Phantom Band and The Bluebells head up a free celebration of the city’s musical heritage, curated by celebrated record label Chemikal Underground.

Vintage Festival/Fashion Cultures, Merchant City, 26 July-3 August: The city’s love affair with fashion and style takes centre stage in two separate events which will see venues like the Old Fruitmarket, Merchant Square, City Halls and Hutcheson Street taken over for catwalk shows, performances, film screenings and lavish parties.

Festival 2014 Club, Old Fruitmarket, 24 July-2 August: Programmed by the Celtic Connections music festival and open as late as 3am, the much-loved venue plays host to the official games after-party, which will feature performances from a host of international and Scottish acts, before late-night DJs take over.

Perch Carnival, Rottenrow Gardens, 19-20 July: More than 200 performers, including international street artists, circus performers, choir and aerialists stage a spectacular aerial performance which will unfold on and around buildings, rooftops and gardens.

Commonwealth Flotilla, Riverside Museum, 26 July: Crowds will be urged to gather at the city’s new transport museum for what is billed as the biggest ever floating spectacle to be staged on the Clyde.

Sound to Sea, Canting Basin, 1-2 August: A one-off night-time nautical experience, featuring live music, pyrotechnics and light displays, performed on and around the water next to the Glasgow Science Centre.

The Tin Forest, South Rotunda, 22 July-3 August: One of the city’s most striking Clydeside landmarks is brought back into use for the first time in decades by the National Theatre of Scotland for the culmination of a major project celebrating Glasgow’s industrial heritage - and the city’s future aspirations.

News Just In, Arches, 22 July-2 August: Random Accomplice are behind the daily theatre performance set in a spoof newsroom, which will take a satirical look back at the day’s main sporting news and games gossip.

The Tron Home Nations Festival, Tron Theatre, 17 July-2 August: Liz Lochhead and Jackie Kay will be among the performers at a major celebration of the poetry of Britain’s four Commonwealth nations, with the work of Dylan Thomas, Carol Ann Duffy, Seamus Heaney and Edwin Morgan among those being revived.

Classics Marathon Day, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 26 July: Violinist Nicola Benedetti embarks on one of her biggest projects yet, leading the cream of Scotland’s orchestras and classical musicians in a day-long celebration at the city’s flagship concert hall.