Visit Glasgow for Celtic Connections

World Famous Folk Festival in Scotland

Glasgow's Celtic Connections is the world's largest winter music festival. Devised by Royal Concert Hall staff to satisfy patrons' requests for a broad-based Celtic arts festival, the first Celtic Connections took place in January 1994. Since then, it has evolved and expanded to become much more than a mere folk festival and showcase for emerging talent.

The 17th festival has a dazzling lineup of around 1,500 performers in more than 300 events. These take place over 18 days in January (14-31), across 14 city-centre venues, all easy to find and highly accessible. Apart from the Royal Concert Hall, there are performances in historic buildings such as the elegant City Halls and the Old Fruitmarket, 18th-century St Andrews in the Square and the ABC in Sauchiehall Street, a distinctive Art Deco building that once housed Scotland's first cinema.

The festival club, which draws musicians and fans alike for late-night jam sessions, is based in the world-renowned Glasgow School of Art, architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh's finest building.

Celtic Connections 2010 Lineup

The year 2010 is Celtic Connections' most eclectic so far, with jazz, world music, indie and many more genres on the menu. Highlights include high profile acts by legendary Irish group The Chieftains with special guest Ry Cooder, 10-time Grammy Award winner Bobby McFerrin, former Maniacs singer Natalie Merchant and New York's award-winning rhythm and blues, jazz and soul septet Naturally 7.

World Music has a strong presence with acts like Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara and The Legendary Gypsy Queens and Kings as well as a 15th anniversary show from Salsa Celtica.

The festival also celebrates the influence of Celtic music on cultures all around the globe with performances from artists from as far afield as Japan and Columbia, Eastern Europe and Africa.

Glasgow's long-standing love of all things Americana is indulged with a lineup of top country, rockabilly and bluegrass talent including Beth Nielsen Chapman, Holly Williams (grand-daughter of country music pioneer Hank Williams) and the Dan Tyminski Band.There are also plenty of Gaelic gems such as Capercaillie Ishbel MacAskill and Karen Matheson, who sings with the Scottish Ensemble.

Festival favourites include Carlos Núñez, Cherish the Ladies, and the mighty Peatbog Faeries from the Isle of Skye.

Visit Glasgow - Home of Celtic Connections Festival

Glasgow is one of Scotland's most popular destinations. Since 1990, when it was the Cultural Capital of Europe, the city has attracted thousands of visitors in search of fun and culture. Known for the warmth and friendliness of the people, Glasgow has a vibrant entertainment scene with lively pubs and clubs and superb restaurants. There's great shopping, a thriving classical music and opera scene, excellent theatre and world-class museums and art galleries.