Goodness, January is bleak. After the general merriment of December, January tends to be when we (try) to get ourselves in shape, abstain from the vino and count the days till Spring. Lucky for us then, that every year the light into our darkness comes in the form of Celtic Connections.
Celtic Connections 15th January – 1st February 2026
By Tracy Mukherjee
Celtic Connections has been part of the soundtrack to our lives since way back in 1994. Thirty years on, it’s now Europe’s biggest winter music festival. What started as one venue with 66 events has now grown into 300 events across 25 venues in the city.
In our little corner of the Weege, Celtic Connections has a proud tradition of packing out our local venues. And with such an enormous programme, Westender has taken a glimpse and given you the top picks of the festival here in the West End. Read on for Celtic Connections in Glasgow West End.
Falasgair at Oran Mor
From the Isle of Skye to Oran Mor comes Falasgair. The guys play a mix of traditional and contemporary tunes and have written some original material too. The musicians have a well-rounded Celtic sound: with Macaulay Ross on fiddle, whistle and bagpipe duo Dougal McKiggan and Finn MacPherson, Ben Muir on keys, Caetano Hayes Pelletti on guitar and bouzouki, and Eoghainn Beaton on bodhran.
Falsgair is the Gaelic word for seasonally burning heather. And the band have certainly set the Celtic scene alight since their debut. They have won multiple awards, making the band a sought-after act for many festivals such as Belladrum, Tartan Heart and the Cambridge Folk Festival.
Don’t miss the guys from Skye at Oran Mor this January.
Falasgair
16th January
Oran Mor
w:celticconnections.com/event/1/falasgair-and-support/
Megalichen at Òran Mór
From a traditional Celtic band to experimental alternative folk. Megalichen are a Glasgow-based group of musicians who blend indie and world music. The ensemble blend wind, strings and rhythm, producing a sound that is both rooted in tradition but entirely original and innovative.
If you fancy something a little left field, a sound entirely new, megalichen is for you.
Megalichen and CLR Theory
17th January
Oran Mor
w:celticconnections.com/event/1/megalichen-and-clr-theory/
Gruff Rhys at Mackintosh Church
Remember the Super Furry Animals? The Welsh four piece had a string of hits in the 1990s and have continued to play together for the past 25 years. Frontman Gruff Rhys is has gone on to have a somewhat eclectic solo career, recording concept albums ranging from stories of 18th century Welsh explorers to Afro-Welsh sonic mash-ups.
With an incredible ability to story tell through his lyrics, Gruff performs at Celtic Connections this January. Blending Welsh language lyrics throughout his performance, this is a musician who is a master of his explorative, melodic craft.
Gruff Rhys
21st January
Oran Mor
w:celticconnections.com/event/1/gruff-rhys-and-support/
ÉTÉ at Mackintosh Church
Hailing from Quebec, ÉTÉ (Summer) are an award-winning group whose performances are a celebration of Francophone culture. With proud routes borne of Acadian and Quebecois influence, ÉTÉ’s sound blends the jazz influences one would expect with progressive rock and elements of classical music. Their performances aren’t just a musical masterclass, it’s a party, with step-dancing, foot percussion and an exhilarating energy that will stay with you long after you leave the Mackintosh Church.
ÉTÉ
22nd January
The Mackintosh Church
w: celticconnections.com/event/1/t-with-kevin-henderson-neil-pearlman-ian-stephenson-and-fell-line/
Best of the Rest
Some stand out global stars will be gracing the Glasgow stages. The sensational Cuban collective Buena Vista All Stars, with some of the original musicians from the famous Buena Vista Social Club will be appearing at the festival. The incredible Mexican drummer Antonio Sanchez is appearing with harpist Edmar Castañeda and American Banjo icon Bela Fleck Williams.
From our own shores, as well as across the UK and Ireland, a diverse range of acts are performing. The showstopping Celtic rock/pop band Skerryvore and fusion favourites Shooglenifty, Orcadian bands The Chair, Fara and Gnoss, and Highland band Dàimh.
So, it’s safe to say that the dreich old January we were dreading can jog on! We’ll be inside with a nip, tapping our toes to the finest musicians in the world.
For a full round up of Celtic Connections in Glasgow West End and beyond, visit –
celticconnections.com
15th Jan – 1st Feb
Various Venues
