The ultimate guide to Glasgow 2025
Glasgow 850 events, festivals and what is new
At a glance: the 10-second summary
Glasgow ends 2025 with the full personality of a city turning 850 — roaming museum exhibitions, a citywide food trail, new hotel openings and a winter culture calendar that runs on energy rather than daylight. December is peak indoor season: panto, pop ups, retro cinema, neighbourhood dining and late-year events shaped by the Glasgow 850 programme. If you plan for 2026, aim for late spring for festivals and long evenings, or early autumn for easier crowds and better walking weather. The Low Emission Zone is strict, the Subway has weekend works and the Taste the Place trail remains the easiest way to eat through the city’s identity. Stay in Merchant City or Finnieston for convenience, or the West End for atmosphere.
What Glasgow 850 actually is
The city used its 850th anniversary to shift attention to its neighbourhoods, its community history and its independent venues. Three projects defined the year and still shape December’s atmosphere.
- Taste the world
- Taste through time
- Taste for good
December 2025: what is happening right now
Panto season
The Great Big Glasgow poem
Pop up exhibitions
Seasonal energy
Independent cinemas, bars and arts spaces run fuller programmes. The West End becomes a chain of warm rooms connected by wet pavements. If you like cities with winter personality, this is it.
What is actually new in 2025
Museums and galleries
- The Burrell Collection continues its refreshed programme.
- The Hunterian opens Views of Glasgow in December.
- Kelvingrove’s Alasdair Gray exhibition and Creative Citizens show deepen the community angle of the anniversary year.
- The Wellington Glasgow by Adina opens on George Square with apartment style rooms.
- The Social Hub blends hotel, coworking and student life in the Merchant City.
- House of Gods adds boutique eccentricity.
- Sandman Signature expands the higher end options.
- Dishoom finally opens in Nelson Mandela Place.
- Sticks n Sushi adds polished Japanese Danish dining to the centre.
- Independents like Sebb’s and The Real Wan show how Glasgow’s food scene has pushed beyond the traditional centre.
Getting around Glasgow at the end of 2025
🚌 Pink Bus ➜ A useful shortcut during selected 850 events along the river corridor.
🚇 Subway works ➜ Modernisation brings weekend closures, especially around Govan, Partick and Ibrox. Check before planning a day in the West End.
🚆 Regional trains ➜ Engineering works around Dalmuir, Balloch and Helensburgh between 27 and 31 December.
🚫 Low Emission Zone ➜ Strict enforcement. Non compliant vehicles are banned and fined automatically. If you are unsure, do not drive into the central grid.
Where to stay
Finnieston and SEC
Best for food, Kelvingrove, SWG3 and events along the Clyde.
Merchant City
Cultural and nightlife core with quick access to December programming.
West End
Residential, atmospheric, perfect for museums, cafés and long evening walks.
Southside
Parks, tenements, multicultural food and slower travel.
East End
Close to Glasgow Green, the Barras and major live events.
Planning your visit for early 2026
➜ 🌼 Late spring: festivals, bright evenings, mild weather
➜ 🍂 Early autumn: warm parks, manageable crowds
➜ ☔ Winter: lively indoors, wet outdoors
➜ 🌞 Summer: high energy, high density
If you want the best mix of activity and breathing room, choose May to June or late September.
Walk Glasgow with Ciceru
If you want to experience the city beyond the anniversary events, our self-guided walking tour is the easiest way to explore Glasgow’s historic center at your own pace. It takes you from the Cathedral to the Necropolis, through the City Chambers and down Buchanan Street, ending with a well earned dram at The Pot Still.
The route covers 8 stops, lasts about two hours, and is available in 7 languages.
Open the app, press start, and let Glasgow unfold around you ♡
