Merchant City Festival draws 40,000 to Glasgow streets
One of the highlights this year was the street theatre, which was particularly popular with festivalgoers.
(Image: Supplied) The shows featured international acrobat group Be Flat, aerial duo Now and Then, and dance piece Exposed: From Clubs to Open Air.
The street theatre was delivered by Surge Festival and supported by a Four Nations Bursary aimed at helping artists create new outdoor works.
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There was also strong support for musical acts such as Sacred Paws, kitti, and community band Brass, Aye? at The Social Hub Stage.
The 2025 festival kicked off with a day of music, storytelling, and a mass participation ceilidh which saw people dance up and down Brunswick Street as part of Glasgow's 850th birthday celebrations.
(Image: Supplied) Other Glasgow 850 celebrations at the festival included Through the Ages walking tours of the Cathedral Precinct and High Street, and Glasgow Women's Library-guided walks.
The weekend also saw Merchant Square host free family days with ceilidhs, crafts, and activities led by Unicorn Dance Party.
(Image: Supplied) Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life and Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations for Glasgow City Council, said: "The [[Merchant City]] Festival makes for a wonderful weekend of entertainment and this year's event demonstrated why it's become such a popular part of Glasgow's cultural events calendar.
"The 2025 Merchant City Festival took on extra significance as it also helped Glasgow to mark its 850th anniversary year in spectacular style.'
Julie Edwin, director of Asset Management at Merchant Square, said: "Merchant Square was buzzing throughout the weekend, with a packed programme of family entertainment during the day and a lively ceilidh every evening, all taking place in our historic courtyard.
(Image: Supplied) "Alongside the festival events, Merchant Square offered guests a fantastic choice of places to eat, drink, and play.
"With the new venues we've recently added to our line-up and something for everyone to enjoy, it was one of our most exciting festival weekends yet.'
The festival was one of seven successful Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding 2025-28 applications made by Glasgow Life.
(Image: Supplied) Lorna Duguid, multi-artform manager at Creative Scotland, said: "In this landmark year marking Glasgow's 850th birthday, it's fantastic to see the continued popularity and strong public support for the [[Merchant City]] Festival, a much-loved highlight of the city's summer calendar.
"With a vibrant programme offering something for all ages, and as a recent recipient of Multi-Year Funding from Creative Scotland, the festival remains a vital platform for Scottish artists to showcase their work and connect with audiences right in the heart of Glasgow.'
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