Celtic Connections 2025 in partnership with Innis & Gunn has closed on a high note, marking another stand-out chapter in its storied history presenting the world’s best trad, folk, world and roots music to Glasgow audiences each winter.
The 32nd edition of Scotland’s premier winter music festival reached attendances of 110,000, with 125 sold out shows across its 18 days.
Despite a day of rescheduled events, the festival made a triumphant return from Storm Éowyn to match 2023 festival attendance figures and had been on track to surpass 2024 audience numbers.
Around 1,500 musicians and artists spanning 40 nationalities took part in around 300 events stretching out over 24 venues, all celebrating the unifying power of live music and vibrancy of Scotland’s cultural scene.
The festival achieved its highest ever number of subscribers to its Celtic Rovers scheme, which rewards audiences’ loyalty with access to exclusive benefits and deals, hitting 620 sign ups, while almost 3,000 tickets were purchased through the Under 26 Community, giving young people access to exclusive ticket deals.
A team of 120 volunteers supported the delivery of Celtic Connections, building new connections with like-minded people and getting first-hand experience in a live events environment, while 50,000 pints of Innis & Gunn were poured for gig-goers across the city.
More than 7,000 pupils travelled to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for the festival’s Schools Concerts and music workshops were delivered to every primary 7 pupil across Glasgow.
Nearly 900 people of all ages took part in ceilidhs and family events, more than 120 benefited from free dementia-friendly concerts and almost 1,500 took part in music and song workshops.
The world-renowned festival, delivered by Glasgow Life, once again proved itself as a cornerstone of Scotland’s events calendar and a much-loved cultural meeting place and platform for collaboration.
The festival’s unique flair for uniting people and bringing soul-affirming joy to thousands could be seen, heard and felt in concerts, ceilidhs, workshops, exhibitions, screenings, showcases, book launches, sessions, dementia-friendly performances, recitals, talks and more.
For the past three weeks, Glasgow – a UNESCO City of Music – reflected the richness of Celtic traditions and demonstrated the power of global cultural exchange and innovation.
From a spectacular birthday celebration to mark Glasgow 850 for the festival’s iconic Opening Concert, to 300 community choir singers joining Karine Polwart on stage for an emotion-fuelled show celebrating community and an outstanding 25-year career, this year’s festival took audiences on a remarkable journey.
Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for Celtic Connections, said: “As we reach the close of this year’s festival we have to reflect on the countless moments of joy and connectedness that we’re so proud to create. From piloting a major venue in the city to putting a smile on the face of someone seeing a musician live for the first time, it’s the big and little moments that form the soul of this festival. I would like to thank everyone who makes Celtic Connections possible and pay tribute to the resilience of our hard-working team, the brilliance of our artists, the generosity of our audiences and the support of our funders and partners.
“Although we’re bringing our 32nd festival to an end, these last few weeks have been a catalyst for fresh creativity, future collaboration and renewed friendship and community, generating a legacy that stretches far beyond our 18 days. We hope everyone who came into contact with the festival felt the spirited vitality that lives at its heart. See you next winter!”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Congratulations to everybody involved in this year’s Celtic Connections; it was another fantastic celebration of Scotland’s cultural heritage, which brought together world-class talent and showcased our rich musical traditions on a global stage.
“The festival has once again demonstrated the unifying power of live music, the vibrancy of our creative sector, and reaffirmed Scotland’s status as the perfect stage for unforgettable cultural events.
“Well done to the organisers, artists, and audiences, who all contribute to make Celtic Connections such a resounding success every year.”
