Glasgow’s biggest community-led cultural festival has announced its full programme for 2026, with around 300 events taking place across 60+ West End venues this June — the most ambitious programme in the festival’s four-year history.
WestFest runs from 1–28 June 2026, building on 2025’s festival which drew over 110,000 people across the West End.
Festival Director Brendon McIlroy said: “We’re really proud of what we’ve put together this year.
Free
“It’s our biggest and most diverse programme yet, and it genuinely reflects the breadth of what the West End has to offer — from free community events on the streets and green spaces to Shakespeare in the Botanics and grassroots music at the university.”
Festival Highlights
The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way — Sunday 21 June
WestFest Free Heritage Talks at Kelvin Hall — Mondays–Thursdays, 1–25 June
Bard in the Botanics: Twelfth Night & Othello — Tue 24–Fri 27 June
Outdoor Ceilidh at Kelvingrove Galleries — Sunday 7 June
WestFest Midsummer Solstice Fire Show — Saturday 20 June
2026 sees The Stand Comedy Club join WestFest for the first time, bringing their brilliant new Great Western Road venue into the festival fold.
To mark the partnership, The Stand is hosting a special fundraiser night on 24 June in aid of WestFest — a lively mix of comedians and good vibes hosted by ‘West End Mum’- Zara Gladman, with proceeds going directly towards the 2026 festival programme.
This year’s festival also features an expanded schools and outreach strand, with workshops, author events and talks reaching schools and community groups right across Glasgow West.
WestFest also connects with Glasgow’s “Festival 2026” Commonwealth Games celebrations, positioning the West End programme within the broader city-wide cultural calendar.
It’s our biggest and most diverse programme yet, and it genuinely reflects the breadth of what the West End has to offer — from free community events on the streets and green spaces to Shakespeare in the Botanics and grassroots music at the university - Brendon McIlroy
Brendon said: “Despite ongoing challenges in the arts sector, we’ve grown year-on-year through strong partnerships.
“For 2026 we’re focused on sustaining that momentum while deepening our work with local residents and ensuring culture remains accessible to everyone.”
The WestFest team will be launching this years’ festival brochure and website on Saturday 18 April with a fabulous performance tour across the West End with Sambayabamba, BrassAye and Think Circus.
The team are inviting folks from across Glasgow to come and join them to celebrate the launch of WestFest 2026.
The timings and locations are:
12 noon- Glasgow Botanic Gardens
1pm- Kelvingrove Park Memorial Fountain
2pm- Kelvingrove Galleries Piazza
- Full programme and tickets at www.westfest.uk
