Govanhill International Festival & Carnival, 2026 programme launch
As Govanhill prepares to celebrate 10 years of our International Festival & Carnival organised by Govanhill Baths, we’re taking a dive into the full programme ahead of launch parade this Saturday… including our pop-up photo booth!
by Mikael Phillips | photo by Karen Gordon
The Govanhill International Festival and Carnival is back for another massive year, and we’ve got all the details you need on what’s happening across the neighbourhood.
This year the event is over two weeks long with over 70 events taking place in Govanhill all throughout. From puppet making, readings, performances, parties, workshops, walking tours, dancing and more - it's that time of year where our wee neighbourhood bursts to life bringing folk from all over to our slice of the Southside.
As an anti-racist festival born out of community solidarity, the packed programme is once again brimming with grassroots arts, heritage trails, live music, film screenings, and radical discussions.
This year, we are especially excited to spotlight the brilliant Create/Disrupt stalls showcasing local makers, artists, and community groups pushing boundaries. Be sure to also keep an eye out for us – we will have our very own Greater Govanhill pop-up photo booth set up, so come grab a snap, say hello, and join in the celebration!
Scroll down for the full festival schedule.
Govanhill International Festival and Carnival 2026 Programme
Sunday 9 August
Solidarity Screenings (Film Day at the Steamie)
A curated triple-bill of powerful independent documentaries and films chronicling local housing struggles, community occupations, anti-deportation resistance, and club culture.
Times:
United We Will Swim... Again & Govanhill | 11am–12:30pm
Everybody to Kenmure Street | 2pm–4:30pm
Beats | 5pm–8pm
Location: The Steamie, Govanhill Baths, 99 Calder Street.
Stamps for Solidarity (Drop-in Print Trail)
A drop-in printmaking activity exploring visual symbols of solidarity and grassroots activism.
Time: 11am – 5pm
Location: Starts at Inkling, The Cooperage, 670 Pollokshaws Road.
Tiles and Mosaics of Govanhill (Talk & Ceramic Workshop)
An exploration of Govanhill’s architectural tilework followed by a hands-on ceramic mosaic crafting workshop.
Time: Talk: 11am–12pm; Workshop: 1pm–6pm
Location: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street.
Find Out About Our Changing World at the Changing Rooms (Screening)
An open-air environmental film screening examining global sustainability and local climate action.
Time: 8pm – 9pm
Location: Changing Rooms on Queen's Park Recreation Ground, 391 Langside Road.
Oestrogenesis: Fundraiser Cabaret for the Dolls
A vibrant variety fundraiser showcase celebrating queer performance art, drag, and community cabaret.
Time: 6pm – 10pm
Location: Adrian's Bar, 441 Victoria Road.
Wednesday 12 August
Spagan is Spors (Gaelic Storytelling & Craft Event)
A fun, family-friendly Gaelic storytelling and creative craft session for kids and parents.
Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Location: Govanhill Library, 170 Langside Road.
Walking in Faith: Govanhill Faith Tour.
An interfaith walking tour visiting local sacred spaces and learning about neighborhood religious groups.
Time: 10am – 1:00pm
Location: Meeting point at 192 Allison Street.
Jewish Govanhill Walking Trail
A historical walking tour tracing the rich heritage, migration history, and community landmarks of Govanhill’s former Jewish population.
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Location: Meeting point at 355 Langside Road.
A Radical History of Govanhill Baths (Walking Tours)
A guided walkthrough looking at the decades-long grassroots campaigns, building occupations, and cultural history of the Baths.
Time: 3pm – 7pm (Tours every half hour)
Location: Govanhill Baths, 99 Calder Street.
Scene and Heard: The Southside's Rich Music History (Mapping Session)
An interactive community mapping event cataloging the venues, bands, and underground music scenes of Glasgow's Southside.
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street.
Book Launch: The Revolution Against Fascism
A special book launch event discussing historic and contemporary anti-fascist organizing.
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Location: McNeill's Bar (upstairs), 106 Torrisdale Street.
Songs of Protest (Folk Music)
A curated evening of traditional and contemporary folk music centering around political resistance and working-class struggle.
Time: 8pm – 10:30pm
Location: The Glad Cafe, 1006A Pollokshaws Road.
Thursday 13 August
Hidden Govanhill Tour
A discovery walk uncovering the architectural gems, secret closes, and forgotten stories tucked away in Govanhill.
Time: 10am – 12pm
Location: Meeting point at 192 Allison Street.
A Radical History of Govanhill Baths (Walking Tours)
A guided walkthrough looking at the decades-long grassroots campaigns, building occupations, and cultural history of the Baths.
Time: 3pm – 7pm (Tours every half hour)
Location: Govanhill Baths, 99 Calder Street.
Book Festival / Bonus Event: Equal Pay or We Walk Away
A panel discussion exploring labor rights, gender pay parity, and modern trade union struggles.
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Location: The Glad Cafe, 1006A Pollokshaws Road.
Conradh na Gaeilge Glaschú: Irish Language and Singing Taster
An introductory workshop teaching basic Irish language phrases and traditional singing.
Time: 6pm – 8:30pm
Location: McNeill's Bar (upstairs), 106 Torrisdale Street.
Find Out About Our Changing World at the Changing Rooms (Screening)
A community film screening exploring climate adaptation and local ecological initiatives.
Time: 8pm – 9pm
Location: Changing Rooms on Queen's Park Recreation Ground, 391 Langside Road.
Hugh Reed & The Velvet Underpants (Music)
A live rock performance from the iconic cult band blending artistic flair and energetic showmanship.
Time: 8pm – 10:30pm (Doors 8pm)
Location: The Rum Shack, 657–659 Pollokshaws Road.
Friday 14 August
Celebrating Resistance on Our Streets: Zine-Making Workshop (Part 1)
The first part of a hands-on community zine-making workshop focused on visual storytelling and street resistance.
Time: 2pm – 5pm
Location: Bowling Green Together, 49 McCulloch Street.
Poetry, Prose and Protest (Readings)
An evening of spoken word, radical writing, and powerful literary readings.
Time: 6pm – 7pm
Location: McNeill's Bar (upstairs), 106 Torrisdale Street.
Voices Beyond Borders: A Multilingual Creative Gathering
An evening celebrating multilingual literature, poetry translation, and cultural sharing from diverse international communities.
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Location: MILK, 378 Cathcart Road.
Screening & Q&A: Fragments of Gaza
A moving documentary screening followed by a discussion unpacking life, resilience, and solidarity.
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Location: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street.
Queer Theory (Cabaret & Party)
A vibrant queer club night and variety performance showcase celebrating local LGBTQ+ community culture.
Time: 7:30pm – 1am
Location: The Rum Shack, 657–659 Pollokshaws Road.
Saturday 15 August
Ghost Signs of Glasgow's Southside (Walking Tour)
A heritage walk tracking fading painted advertising signs and historical commercial ghosts across local buildings.
Time: 2pm – 3:30pm
Location: Meeting point at The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street.
Celebrating Resistance on Our Streets: Zine-Making Workshop (Part 2)
The continuation of the collaborative zine-making workshop compiling neighbourhood stories and art.
Time: 2pm – 5pm
Location: Rumpus Room, Langside Lane.
Latino Dance Project: Dancing Bridges – Breaking Boundaries.
A vibrant cultural dance performance and workshop celebrating Latin American rhythms and artistic collaboration.
Time: 4:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: Queen's Park Parish Church, 170 Queen's Drive.
Solidarity Supper (Craft & Meal)
A communal gathering featuring shared food, creative activities, and inter-cultural connection.
Time: 5pm – 8pm
Location: MILK, 378 Cathcart Road.
Govanhill's Got Talent Showcase.
A joyful community talent show highlighting local performers, musicians, and entertainers of all ages.
Time: 5:30pm – 8pm
Location: The Roma Cultural Centre, 43 Nithsdale Street.
Sensorial Symphonies (Dance Performance)
An extraordinary multi-sensory contemporary dance work exploring deep physical expression and connection.
Time: 8pm – 10pm
Location: Queen's Park Parish Church, 170 Queen's Drive.
The Rumi's Cave Summer Programme: Singing & Nasheeds (Love's Pilgrim)
An uplifting evening of spiritual vocal music, nasheeds, and traditional devotional singing.
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Location: Rumi's Cave, 82–84 Niddrie Road.
Sunday 16 August
The Derry Boat to Donegal Hill: Irish Heritage Trail (Southbound)
A historical walking tour examining return routes, community networks, and Irish heritage ties across the city.
Time: 11am – 3pm
Location: Meeting point at 61 Broomielaw; ending at Queen's Park.
Govanhill Street Music Festival & Community Moves Room.
The massive festival-closing multi-location music and dance celebration across parks, courtyards, and shops, curated by top Scottish independent music collectives and featuring live performances, DJs, and dance workshops.
Time: 12pm – 8pm
Location: Dispersed across parks, courtyards, cafés, and shopfronts throughout the Southside (featuring The Cooperage Courtyard, Westmoreland Park, South Seeds, Community Newsroom, Queen's Park, Transylvania Shop, etc.).
Tramway Beyond Walls: Requiem by Kaleider (Outdoor Performance)
A powerful, reflective contemporary outdoor requiem performance dedicated to life on our planet, staged on the park terraces.
Time: 3:30pm – 5pm
Location: Queen's Park, The Terraces.
Ongoing Exhibitions & Installations (Throughout the Festival)
Govanhill Baths, Ours!
A Century of Community, Activism and Renewal. An exhibition exploring a century of community action, activism, and local renewal rooted in the history of Govanhill Baths.
Dates: Tuesday 7 July – Sunday 27 September (Wednesday–Friday 11am–5pm, Saturday 11am–6pm, Sunday 11am–5pm)
Location: Tramway, 25 Albert Drive.
The Silence of the Good
An immersive visual art showcase exploring themes of complicity, community voice, and accountability.
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays only (1, 2, 8, 9, 15 August), 11am–5pm
Location: The Community Newsroom, 82 Bowman Street.
Encounters in the Third Space
An exhibition highlighting intersectional community encounters, cultural exchange, and collaborative art practices.
Dates: Sunday 2 – Saturday 15 August, 11am–5pm (Closed Mondays & Tuesdays)
Location: Burning House Books, 446 Cathcart Road.
Unwritten Milestones
A localised showcase highlighting the hidden histories, oral traditions, and unrecorded milestones of Govanhill residents.
Dates: Sunday 2 – Sunday 16 August, 12pm–4pm (Closed Mondays & Tuesdays)
Location: MILK, 378 Cathcart Road.
Saturday 1 August Parade & Carnival
A colourful, vibrant, and vocal opening parade featuring brass bands, community groups, banners, music, dancing, and food stalls in the park… including the Greater Govanhill Photo Booth.
Time: 1pm – 5pm (Assemble from 12:30pm); Post-parade celebration in the park from 2pm – 5pm
Location: Starts at Queen's Park (Victoria Road Gates), winds through Govanhill, and ends in Govanhill Park.
The Rumi's Cave Summer Programme: Caribbean Dub (Ahmad Ikhlas)
An evening exploring deep roots, conscious lyrics, and atmospheric Caribbean dub selections.
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Location: Rumi's Cave, 82–84 Niddrie Road.
Sunday 2 August
Àitich, Àitich, Àitich (Gaelic Heritage Walking Tour)
A guided walking tour highlighting Gaelic connections, placenames, and cultural heritage in the Southside.
Time: 10am – 12pm
Location: Meeting point at Scottish Poetry/Rose Garden, Queen's Park.
The Derry Boat to Donegal Hill: Irish Heritage Trail (Northbound)
A historical walking tour retracing Irish migration pathways, labour history, and cultural ties across Glasgow.
Time: 11am – 3pm
Location: Meeting point at 61 Broomielaw (beside the casino); ending at Glasgow Green.
SOUP!
A community micro-grant dinner where attendees vote on local grassroots creative projects while sharing a bowl of soup.
Time: 2pm – 3pm & 4pm – 5pm
Location: Glasgow Autonomous Space, Unit 9, Hollybrook Place.
Roma Genocide Memorial Day Gathering
A solemn community gathering and reflective walk honoring the victims and survivors of the Roma genocide.
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Location: Roma Cultural Centre, 43 Nithsdale Street (followed by a walk to Queen's Park Rose Garden).
Herbalism Beyond Borders Workshop
A practical workshop exploring traditional plant medicine, community healing, and accessible remedies.
Time: 2pm – 5pm
Location: Community Culture & Art Association, 83 Bowman Street.
Open Sauce Comedy
A lively night of alternative comedy showcasing diverse local and touring stand-up talent.
Time: 7pm – 10:30pm
Location: The Rum Shack, 657–659 Pollokshaws Road.
Swimming with Social Workers (Performance)
A piece of contemporary performance art unpacking bureaucracy, care systems, and human resilience.
Time: 7pm – 8pm
Location: Community Culture & Art Association, 83 Bowman Street.
Vita Nova (Music Party)
A lively late-night social and music party bringing people together through global sounds and community dancing.
Time: 7pm – 12am
Location: McNeill's Bar (upstairs), 106 Torrisdale Street.
Horses (Performance)
An open-air site-specific theatre performance exploring movement, myth, and human-animal relationships.
Time: 7:30pm – 8:20pm
Location: Queen's Park, behind Lily & Rose at the boating pond.
Wednesday 5 August
Walking in Faith: Govanhill Faith Tour
An interfaith walking tour visiting local places of worship to learn about the diverse spiritual communities shaping Govanhill.
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: Meeting point at 192 Allison Street.
The Sound and Songs of Govanhill (Sound Installation)
An immersive audio landscape combining local oral histories, street sounds, and neighborhood music compositions.
Time: 11am – 4pm
Location: Glasgow Autonomous Space, Unit 9, Hollybrook Place.
The Silence of the Good Collaboration Art-Making Workshop
A hands-on public workshop inviting participants to contribute to a collective artistic response on community ethics.
Date: Evening of Wednesday 5 August (part of the exhibition run)
Location: The Community Newsroom, 82 Bowman Street.
Our Neighbours (Screening)
Short documentary screenings showcasing the diverse lived experiences, solidarity, and mutual aid of Govanhill residents.
Time: Screenings on the hour from 3pm (3pm, 4pm, 5pm)
Location: Glasgow South East Food Bank, Govanhill Workspace, 69 Dixon Road.
The Essence of Govanhill (Workshop)
A creative community workshop exploring identity, sensory memory, and what makes the neighbourhood unique.
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Location: Community Culture & Art Association, 83 Bowman Street.
The Milk Report and Other Stories (Screening & Performance)
A special presentation combining short films and live performance pieces highlighting local activism.
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Location: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street.
Collisions Theatre Company: Breaking the Silence of the British Slave Trade
A powerful theatrical exploration confronting Britain's historical links to the transatlantic slave trade and its ongoing legacies.
Time: 6pm – 7:30pm
Location: Queen's Park Parish Church, 170 Queen's Drive.
Thursday 6 August
Govanhill and Crosshill's Football Heritage Tour
A guided walking tour exploring the rich working-class football history and local club origins in the Southside.
Time: 10am – 12pm
Location: Meeting point at 192 Allison Street.
Celebrating Resistance: An Anti-Racist Walking Tour of Govanhill
A historical walk tracing decades of migrant solidarity, grassroots community organizing, and anti-racist struggles on local streets.
Time: 6:30pm – 8pm
Location: Meeting point at Maxwell Square Park, Kenmure Street.
Collisions Theatre Company: Breaking the Silence of the British Slave Trade
A powerful theatrical exploration confronting Britain's historical links to the transatlantic slave trade and its ongoing legacies.
Time: 6pm – 7:30pm
Location: Queen's Park Parish Church, 170 Queen's Drive.
Roo & Neil (Music)
An intimate live acoustic music session featuring exceptional folk-roots songwriting and harmonising.
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Location: McNeill's Bar (upstairs), 106 Torrisdale Street.
Find Out About Our Changing World at the Changing Rooms (Screening)
A community film screening focusing on climate change, ecological justice, and local environmental action.
Time: 8pm – 9pm
Location: Changing Rooms on Queen's Park Recreation Ground, 391 Langside Road.
Friday 7 August
Rosie’s Disobedient Press Radio Broadcast
A special live radio broadcast featuring readings, feminist discourse, and independent publishing discussions.
Time: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Location: Online via Radio Buena Vida (buenavida.co.uk).
The Ballad of Govanhill Baths (Outdoor Performance by Bex Anson)
A free outdoor performance blending choreography, oral history, and collective celebration with an all-ages community cast.
Time: 4pm, 4:45pm & 5:30pm
Location: Govanhill Baths, 99 Calder Street.
The Pineapple Trophy Award & Celebration
The inaugural presentation of a new civic award created by Nathan Coley and Hamish Dobbie, followed by conversation and hip-hop in the Steamie.
Time: From 6:30pm
Location: The Steamie, Govanhill Baths, 99 Calder Street.
Book Festival: Jeremy Corbyn in Conversation with Josie Long
A special opening event for the Govanhill Book Festival featuring politics, humor, literature, and visions for social transformation.
Time: 7pm – 8:30pm
Location: Queen's Park Govanhill Parish Church.
Love Punk Hate Racism (Music)
A high-energy punk gig celebrating solidarity, anti-fascism, and live independent music culture.
Time: From 7pm.
Location: The Rum Shack, 657–659 Pollokshaws Road.
Saturday 8 August
Book Festival: Feast of Fools by Dan Serridge
An interactive family-friendly children's book event filled with storytelling and imaginative fun.
Time: 11am – 12pm
Location: Queen's Park Govanhill Parish Church.
Book Festival: Rahul Rao – Statues and the Rubble of Empire
An insightful talk examining public monuments, imperial history, and the politics of colonial memory.
Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm.
Location: Queen's Park Govanhill Parish Church.
Book Festival: A Bad Bad Place by Frances Crawford
A gripping author discussion diving into crime fiction, dark secrets, and atmospheric murder mysteries.
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Location: Queen's Park Govanhill Parish Church.
Book Festival: Hannah Lavery, Beth Frieden, Juana Adcock & Ruth Aylett
A stellar poetry and literature showcase featuring readings from four prominent contemporary Scottish voices.
Time: 4pm – 5:15pm
Location: Queen's Park Govanhill Parish Church.
Book Festival / Poetry Panel: Eadar // Theangaich (Gaelic Poets Panel)
A multilingual poetry session exploring contemporary Gaelic verse, translation, and linguistic identity.
Time: 6pm – 7pm
Location: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street.
Make Your Own Puppet & Tell Your Own Story Workshop
A hands-on craft workshop where participants design puppets and create original narratives.
Time: 10am – 4pm
Location: Community Culture & Art Association, 83 Bowman Street.
Glad Radio: All-Day Podcasting
A live community broadcasting marathon featuring interviews, local debates, and audio features.
Time: 10am – 6pm.
Location: Glad Radio, The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street.
Zines of Govanhill Drop-In Workshop
A DIY publishing session where participants can create and contribute to a zine celebrating local culture.
Time: 1pm – 5pm (Exhibition also open 12pm–5pm)
Location: Glasgow Zine Library, 32–34 Albert Road.
Sound of Community: Govanhill Cabaret Crawl
A roving performance trail moving across local spaces to showcase grassroots musical and theatrical talent.
Time: 11am – 10pm
Location: Starts at Rumpus Room (Langside Lane) and moves across local spaces.
Pluto Q: The Future Planning Committee (Installation Workshop)
An interactive installation and workshop inviting citizens to dream up alternative community futures.
Time: 11am – 4pm
Location: Pluto Q Community Reading Room, 42 Albert Road.
The Red and the Green: A Socialist Stroll Through Govanhill (Walking Tours)
A historical walking tour tracing the radical labour history, internationalism, and socialist
movements of the area.
Times: Tour 1: 11:30am – 1:30pm; Tour 2: 2pm – 3:30pm
Location: Meeting point at Govanhill Park.
Rehearsed Reading: Cicero, The Native Son
A rehearsed dramatic script reading exploring classical themes through a contemporary
theatrical lens.
Time: 2pm – 5pm
Location: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street.
The Rumi's Cave Summer Programme: Song & Stories from the Soul (Dawud Duncan)
An evening of soulful acoustic songs, traditional storytelling, and reflective dialogue.
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Location: Rumi's Cave, 82–84 Niddrie Road.
