Celtic Connections 2026: Global winter festival kicks off in Glasgow

Glasgow has welcomed the largest traditional winter music festival on the planet for another year.

Delivered by Glasgow Life, in partnership with Innis & Gunn, the 33rd edition of Celtic Connections brings together an international programme spanning global roots, contemporary folk and orchestral collaboration.

A string of more than 300 shows starring some of the biggest stars in trad, world and roots music alongside budget-friendly events, workshops, sessions, ceilidh, book launches are on offer until February 1.

Contemporary folk musicians, including Scottish smallpipes player Fionnlagh Mac A’Phiocair, harp and fiddle duo Rebecca Hill and Charlie Stewart and award-winning young trad outfit Dàna, are pictured with Celtic Connections Creative Director Donald Shaw. | Contributed

An estimated 110,000 people are expected to attend more than 300 events across 25 venues, featuring over 1,200 performers from Europe, the Americas and Africa.

On Thursday, performers from the Celtic Connections programme visited the Old Fruitmarket as the stage was transformed into a cosy, inviting living room to mark the start of the festival.

Celtic Connections Creative Director Donald Shaw said: “Celtic Connections is about much more than the joy of putting concerts on stages and lighting up winter in Glasgow. It is about creating moments that can only happen here.

“Bringing people together in the middle of January, sharing music from different cultures and traditions alongside Scotland’s own, is what makes the festival so special, whether that involves emerging talent or established names.

“That sense of warmth, discovery and connection comes from the artists, audiences, supporters and partners who believe in it year after year, and we are incredibly thankful to everyone who helps make it possible.”

Celtic Connections was worth an estimated £6 million to the Scottish economy last year, supporting 207 jobs.

The festival’s event venues across Glasgow include the Citizens Theatre, the Emirates Arena, City Halls, Old Fruitmarket, Barrowland Ballroom, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Pavilion Theatre, Òran Mòr, Saint Luke’s, Tramway and SWG3.

Festival ready for one of the largest concerts in its history

As part of the festival, Emmylou Harris’ all-seated arena show at the Emirates Arena is on course for a 3,500 sell-out and will be one of the largest concerts in the festival’s history, while Skerryvore will raise the roof at the same venue to crowds of more than 4,500.

Bailie Annette Christie, chairwoman of Glasgow Life, said: “Excitement and anticipation for the start of Celtic Connections 2026 has really been palpable in the run-up to the festival, not only here in Glasgow but throughout the international music community.

“We can’t wait to welcome musicians and audiences from near and far for this year’s joyous celebration of music from across the globe, and the cultural connections the festival inspires and enables.”

Angus Robertson. | PA

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Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Celtic Connections is a firm fixture on the events calendar and is a great way to celebrate musical and cultural collaboration – especially in the dark winter months.

“Supported by increases in multi-year funding from Creative Scotland and through our Festival EXPO Fund, the Scottish Government is proud to support an outstanding national and international cultural event.

“I am certain this year’s programme will be a great success.”