Merchant City Festival, A flagship festival, was launched in 1987. It has evolved into one of Glasgow’s most beloved summer events. It transforms the historic Merchant City into a vibrant hub of music, street performances, food and family entertainment every summer. In 2026, it’s bigger than ever as part of the Glasgow 2026 Festival and Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026.
Candleriggs Square – Commonwealth Games on the Big Screen
Head to Candleriggs Square through to Thursday for free live sport on the big screen, plus food, drinks and family entertainment.
- Monday 27 – Thursday 30 July
- 12pm – 9pm
- Free
- Candleriggs Square
Final Weekend Highlights (31 July – 2 Aug)
The last weekend is the festival’s biggest for live music, spread across two hubs.
| Date | Event | Venue | Time |
| Fri 31 Jul | Indie Music Showcase | Candleriggs Square | 12 pm |
| Fri 31 Jul | Junglehussi (DJ) | The Briggait | — |
| Sat 1 Aug | Pitch Scotland Day | Candleriggs Square | 12 pm |
| Sat 1 Aug | Radio Buena Vida (DJ) | The Briggait | — |
| Sun 2 Aug | A Celebration of Trad Music | Candleriggs Square | 12 pm |
| Sun 2 Aug | Clyde Built Radio (DJ) | The Briggait | — |
| Sat 1 – Sun 2 Aug | Street Theatre & Family Fun (with Imaginate) | Merchant Square | 12 pm–6 pm |
| Sat 1 – Sun 2 Aug | The Rail Yard Market | Wilson Street | 12 pm–6 pm |
Where to Eat?
The Rail Yard Market at Wilson Street features artisan makers, independent traders, and producers from Scotland, 31 July – 2 Aug, 12 noon – 6pm. At The Briggait, food goes hand in hand with discussions, workshops and DJs. For a seated experience, try Arta at Albion Street, which has Queen’s Tribute Night on Saturday 1 August (£37.50pp, including a two-course dinner).
Family Days Out
Imaginate’s street theatre program makes a return to Merchant Square for the last weekend – performances, dance and installations for everyone, 1-2 August, 12 noon – 6 pm.
July 2026 in Glasgow, a month filled with celebrations, entertainment, enrichment and free events.
How to Get There? & Where to Park?
The Merchant City is easily accessible on foot from Queen Street and Central stations, St Enoch Subway and city centre bus lines. The area will be unusually busy for the last weekend with some traffic control measures in place, but residents and businesses have full access.
FAQ
Is the Merchant City Festival still on?
Yes — it runs until Sunday 2 August 2026.
Is it free to attend?
Most of the festival is free, including Candleriggs Square, The Briggait, Merchant Square and the Rail Yard Market. Some ticketed events (like dinners at Arta) cost extra.
What’s the best day left to go?
Saturday 1 August is the standout — it combines Pitch Scotland Day, DJ sets at The Briggait, street theatre at Merchant Square and the Rail Yard Market all in one day.
Where is Candleriggs Square?
It’s the festival’s main hub in Merchant City, hosting the Commonwealth Games viewing, live music and food stalls.
WeeGlasgow’s Take
If you only make it to one day of the Merchant City Festival, make it Saturday 1 August — it’s the one day everything overlaps: sport, music, market and family theatre, all within a five-minute walk of each other. Weekday visitors get a quieter, more relaxed version with the Games on the big screen, which is honestly underrated if you want to avoid the weekend crowds.
