THE world-renowned Celtic Connections festival – one of the brightest highlights of Scotland’s cultural calendar – is set to get 2026 off to a spectacular start with a packed programme of superb entertainment from an incredible line-up of global talent, setting the tone for Glasgow’s year of unforgettable international events.
From Thursday 15 January to Sunday 1 February 2026 the award-winning festival will bring over 300 events – from major music gigs to intimate performances – to more than 25 venues across the city. Over 1,200 artists will take part and audiences of around 110,000 are expected to attend.
General tickets for the 2026 festival’s first tranche of confirmed shows go on sale at 10am on Thursday 16 October 2025 at www.celticconnections.com. Scores of gigs will be added to the programme in the run-up to the much-anticipated event.
Globally acclaimed as a dynamic showcase of trad, folk, roots and world music, Celtic Connections has grown over three decades to become Europe’s biggest winter music festival. It now spans a wide range of genres – from blues, soul, Americana and indie to acoustic, orchestral, jazz and electronic.
Delivered by Glasgow Life in partnership with Innis & Gunn, the 2026 festival – its 33rd edition – will be an expansive, exciting showcase of outstanding talent from Scotland and almost every corner of the world.
Featuring unmissable performances from established and emerging talent and bringing together big-name headline acts and rising stars, it will offer something for everyone who loves music.
Venues across the city – including the Barrowland Ballroom, Old Fruitmarket, King Tut’s, Pavilion Theatre, Óran Mòr, Saint Luke’s and SWG3 – will be warmly welcoming Celtic Connections audiences to banish winter blues. The newly-refurbished Citizens Theatre will make its debut as a festival stage, and following the success of its first-ever music event at the start of this year, the Emirates Arena joins the programme again with another major show which will feature Scottish folk-rock pioneers Skerryvore.
Celtic Connections 2026 kicks off with an exciting World Connections Opening Concert at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Kick-starting an important year for international events in Glasgow, with the city hosting the Commonwealth Games and more, the 15 January launch show celebrates music’s global links and power to unite people all over the planet.
With an impressive line-up of international artists, the unmissable concert also features an incredible array of homegrown talent as well as high-profile surprise guests to produce a vibrant showcase of unique creative collaborations.
Just one of the inspirational and innovative partnerships sees iconic Malian singer Rokia Koné – famed for her work with feminist supergroup Les Amazones d’Afrique – performing with one of Scotland’s leading instrumental folk bands, the multi-award winning RURA.
Exceptional international talent is highlighted and honoured across the whole festival programme with a wealth of wonderful worldwide acts and artists.
Highlights include celebrated Cuban collective Buena Vista All Stars (featuring master musicians from the famous Buena Vista Social Club of 30 years ago); Senegal orchestral sensation Baobab; Mexican drumming dynamo Antonio Sanchez, who appears alongside harpist Edmar Castañeda and American Banjo icon Bela Fleck; also from the States, Grammy-winning Americana singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams, alternative country and folk star Dylan LeBlanc, and celebrated indie duo Watchhouse; and from Québec – overseas partner for Celtic Connections 2026 Showcase Scotland industry initiative supporting international cultural collaboration – traditional Québécois music bands Le Vent du Nord, Germaine, Cecilia, E.TE, La Déferlance, Bon Débarras, and Paruline.
The very best of talent from Scotland, as well as across the UK and Ireland, will be proudly represented too by a diverse range of acts – such as showstopping Celtic rock/pop band Skerryvore and fusion favourites Shooglenifty, Orcadian bands The Chair, Fara and Gnoss, and Highland band Dàimh.
Included in unique collaborative shows is a tribute to one of the world’s most influential folk singers – Scotland’s Dick Gaughan – featuring a large cast of artists as well as performances from rising Scots stars such as acclaimed singer-songwriter Katie Gregson-McLeod and indie accordionist RuMac.
The rich cultural traditions of our nation’s song and storytelling are also highlighted and celebrated across many of the programme’s events, including a special interpretation of the songs of Robert Burns, the Scottish ballads, and two special nights of Gaelic song including Òran Ùr – celebrating 25 years of new Gaelic songs.
Many traditional and international orchestral highlights are featured too, including the world premiere of the Arabic Symphony by The Ayoub Sisters – a duo from Egypt who grew up in Glasgow, with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, as well as the rarely performed Polish work, Symphony of Sorrows by Henryk Górecki, marking the 50thyear of its composition.
The packed 2026 festival programme also sees the return of many regular firm favourites, including the Danny Kyle Open Stage showcasing new talent, the popular Transatlantic Sessions exploring the rich musical connections of Scotland, Ireland and the US, and the renowned Roaming Roots Revue curated by Emmy Award-winning Scottish musician, composer and broadcaster Roddy Hart.
A sell-out every year, Roaming Roots celebrates its 14th outing. Following the success of its last edition Icons Vol. 1, is the 2026 edition Icons Vol. 2 show. Backed by Roddy Hart & The Lonesome Fire and joined by a 60-piece orchestra from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, it gathers together a global line-up of artists for two unforgettable nights of creative collaborations. Featured are Elbow’s Guy Garvey, award-winning composer C Duncan, acclaimed American artists Dylan LeBlanc and Amythyst Kiah, emerging soul talent James Emmanuel, rising UK voices Rianne Downey and Alice Faye, and many more.
Festival-goers can also look forward to the usual mix of late-night sessions and pop-up performances at the Festival Club, which returns to the Art School, as well as the ever-popular Glee Club nights. And once again the acclaimed Celtic Connections education programme will give thousands of children across Glasgow a chance to experience music workshops and special schools concerts.
The Under 26 Pass makes a welcome return too to offer the age group discounted entry to a range of gigs, ensuring the festival is as accessible as possible to younger audiences.
Celtic Connections Creative Producer, Donald Shaw, said: “At the very heart of our 33rd festival are celebration, collaboration and connection. We are very excited that our 2026 edition will bring together such a wealth of talented musicians from Scotland and all over the world – from award-winning performers to young newcomers. And we can’t wait to welcome so many fantastic artists and acts to Glasgow in the new year to perform for our audiences in every corner of the city.
“Celtic Connections is a celebration of the boundless power of music to connect and inspire; to transcend borders and provide a platform where Scotland’s own musical might is matched by global talent.
“Our diverse programme showcases a wealth of musical genres and styles, and we hope as many people as possible will take advantage of the opportunity to experience and enjoy all that’s in store. As we champion the universal language of music, we invite lifelong music fans and curious newcomers to join us as there’s something magical waiting for everyone at Celtic Connections 2026.”
