From Thursday 15 January to Sunday 1 February 2026 Celtic Connections 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.
The annual early-afternoon pipe band concert is on Saturday January 17 and comes in the form of the Gordon Duncan Tribute Pipe Band. The concert celebrates 30 years since the release of the game-changing album, Live ‘N’ Well, from The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band who were led at that time by Pipe Major Ian Duncan with Gordon Duncan as Pipe Sergeant. The concert is masterminded by two of Gordon’s most distinguished protégés, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton, both celebrated pipers and composers who embody Duncan’s forward-thinking musical spirit.
The following Saturday, January 24, sees The Conundrum: International Piping Night celebrating the shared heritage and distinctive sounds of the Highland, uilleann and Breton pipes. The concert line up features pipers Finlay MacDonald, Ailis Sutherland (Scotland), Michael McGoldrick and John McSherry (Ireland), alongside Brittany’s Jean-Michel Veillon & Nicolas Quémener and the acclaimed pipe band Bagad Cap Caval.
There are plenty more concerts featuring pipes of all shapes and more will likely be added before January. The links to those piping or bagpipe-related concerts are below:
Falasgair and Support – January 16, 2026
Skerryvore & Special Guests – January 17, 2026
Donald WG Lindsay – How’ve You Been? and Outwith – January 18, 2026
Baiuca and Malin Lewis – January 22, 2026
The Johnny Quinn Macs with Assynt – January 23, 2026
Celtic Odyssée – January 25, 2026
RURA with Ímar and Staran – January 28, 2026
Torridon and The Tumbling Souls – January 30, 2026
Dàimh Big Band and Jiggy – January 31, 2026
Ross Miller Band and Support – January 31, 2026
General tickets for the 2026 festival’s first tranche of confirmed shows went on sale aon Thursday, October 16 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.
The very best of talent from Scotland, as well as across the UK and Ireland, will be proudly represented across the festival 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.
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.
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.”
Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “Glasgow is immensely proud that Celtic Connections continues to be such an incredible success in Scotland’s cultural events calendar, and every year shines a global spotlight on our vibrant UNESCO City of Music and its legendary reputation for audiences which are among the world’s best.
“The joyous celebration that Celtic Connections always is will really set the tone for what will be a year of thrilling international events for Glasgow as we look forward to the Commonwealth Games and much more ahead, and to welcoming visitors to our city from near and far.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: ” Celtic Connections continues to innovate and inspire musical and cultural collaboration. As one of Scotland’s foremost festivals showcasing the very best in folk, roots and international music, its outstanding and well-earned global reputation continues to grow.
“The Scottish Government is proud to support this ambitious programme with increased funding through our Festival EXPO Fund and I am excited to see what is on offer during Celtic Connections 2026.”
General tickets are now on sale, and advance tickets for Celtic Rovers festival supporters are now available.
The programme can be viewed atwww.celticconnections.com and many more gigs will be added to it in the run-up to the event in the new year.