Glasgow Travel Guide

January

Celtic Connections, Glasgow. This celebration of folk and traditional music is one of the largest of its kind in the world, drawing musicians from throughout Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, as well as the Basque country and North America. Call tel. 0141/353-8000. Throughout January.

Burns Night. Naturally, during the celebrations to honor Robert Burns, there's much toasting with whisky and the eating of haggis, the arrival of which is announced by a bagpipe. January 25.

February

New Territories, Glasgow. An international festival of performance arts, especially contemporary dance and theater. Early February to mid-March.

March

Whuppity Scourie, Lanark. Residents in this town south of Glasgow get so tired of winter that they stage this traditional ceremony to chase it away. March 1.

Glasgow Comedy Festival. Inaugurated in 2003, this festival brings a diverse range of funny men and women to stages around the city. Call tel. 0141/552-2070. Mid-March.

April

Glasgow Art Fair. Galleries from across the U.K. set up stalls in big tents on George Square. First weekend in April.

Glasgow International. A fortnight-long celebration of contemporary visual art at a host of local galleries, which present a range of exhibitions. Last 2 weeks of April.

Triptych. As the name implies, this is a contemporary and avant-garde music festival that takes place in three cities: Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. Last weekend in April.

May

Big Big Country, Glasgow. A festival of "Americana" with country, folk, roots, and bluegrass music from U.S. and U.K. artists. Mid-May.

Burns and A' That, Ayr, south of Glasgow. A celebration of the life of Robert Burns with contemporary artists and performers -- mainly in music. For details, call tel. 0129/229-0300. Late May.

June

Pride, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Scotland's annual gay celebration alternates between Edinburgh and Glasgow. You'll see a quirky, boisterous parade through the heart of Glasgow or along Princes Street in Edinburgh. Sometime in June.

West End Festival, Glasgow. The city's most vibrant neighborhoods throw a party that includes live music concerts, a street parade, and other events. Throughout most of June.

Glasgow International Jazz Festival. Jazz musicians from all over the world come together to perform at various venues around the city. End of June.

July

Scottish Open, Loch Lomond, northwest of Glasgow. Traditionally played on the weekend before the Open tournament in Britain, drawing many of the stars of international golf. Mid-July.

Glasgow River Festival. A 2-day event with exhibitions, sailings and other festivities on the River Clyde. Mid-July.

Edinburgh International Jazz & Blues Festival. Of the various events that dominate the Edinburgh social calendar in summer, this one is the first to kick off. End of July into August.

August

Edinburgh Festival. Scotland's best-known event is actually various festivals -- Jazz, Book, International, and Fringe -- taking place concurrently in the Scottish capital. The Fringe alone encompasses some 1,800 performances. An arts bonanza, it draws major talent from around the world. Log onto www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk. Throughout August.

Piping Live!, Glasgow. Bagpipe players and bagpipe bands from around the world gather in the city for a week long festival that culminates with the World Pipe Band Championships -- a virtual orgy of bagpiping, as up to 1,000 kilted participants strut their stuff. Call tel. 0141/241-4400. Mid-August.

September

Doors Open Day, Edinburgh and Glasgow. One weekend in the month, the public is given unique access to landmark buildings that are normally off limits.

October

BLOCK, Glasgow. A weeklong architectural festival organized by the Lighthouse, with exhibits, walks, and talks. Call tel. 0141/204-4400. First week of October.

Darvel Music Festival, Ayrshire, south of Glasgow. A recent addition to the Strathclyde cultural calendar with an eclectic array of musicians, focusing on folk and up-and-coming talent. First week of October.

Glasgay!, Glasgow. One of the U.K.'s largest festivals of gay, lesbian, and transgender culture, with club nights, music, performance art. Mid-October through mid-November.

November

Glasgow on Ice. An outdoor ice skating rink is set up in George Square, along with carnival rides and gift booths. Late November to Christmas Eve.

December

Hogmanay, Edinburgh and Glasgow. New Year's Eve -- Hogmanay -- is traditionally bigger for the Scots than Christmas. Events in the capital include a torchlight procession, a fire festival along Princes Street, a carnival, and a street theater spectacular. Both cities stage outdoor concerts on Hogmanay. The celebration in Edinburgh begins in the last week of December and continues past New Year's Day.