The behemoth that is Celtic Connections descends to lift the January Blues

January is a really hard month to manoeuvre. It’s dark, it’s cold, it’s a fair while till spring. But into the darkness dazzles Celtic Connections , every January since 1994, to lift the spirits.
In 2025, there is a huge programme, covering folk, jazz, swing and world music. If you wanted an eclectic festival? This is it. Running from Thursday 16h January to Sunday 2nd February, 300 events will take place over 25 city-wide venues.
We Are Here Scotland
A new collaboration this year sees Celtic Connections team up with We Are Here Scotland – an organisation which aims to promote the views and voices of black people and people of colour (BPoC) within the Arts. Scottish Musicians of Colour will perform at the City Halls with feature artists Aref Ghorbani from Iran, cellist and poet Simone Seales and musician and artist Miwa Nagato-Apthorp.

Along at Oran Mor, listen to The Zawose Queens from Tanzania. Pendo and Leah Zawose will perform the stunning East African music of the Gogo people. They use traditional instruments and the beautiful polyphonic singing of their heritage.
Traditional Scottish
From traditional African rhythms to hebridean ones. The Isle of Lewis cultural hub An Lanntair celebrate 40 years with a special commemorative show. With a host of talent from the isle, this is a show not to miss. And this year’s In The Tradition show also falls into the unmissable category. Musical director Anna Massie and the band will bring to the stage the fabulous Madeleine Stewart Trio. There is also fiddle/accordion duo Roo and Neil, and Irish and Shetland influenced LÉDA, to name a few.
Jon Metcalfe, composer and arranger will be performing pieces from his stunning album Tree. This show will also features visual art from Jony Easterby, telling the story of 24 hours in the life of a tree. It’s an incredible multi-sensory experience at The Tramway.

Diversity in 2025
It’s a credit to the city that the quality of talent at the festival never waivers. Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for Celtic Connections 2025, said: ‘Celtic Connections provides artists with an important platform for creative expression and we are always eager to present shows that explore contemporary themes that move and delight audiences, and make them think. The diverse 2025 programme continues to expand, welcoming more musicians all the time to the bill to debut unique pieces of work and share their music with our appreciative Glasgow audiences. It’s shaping up to be an outstanding festival and I would encourage music fans of any genre to come and explore the huge wealth of experiences on offer.’
Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life adds, ‘Celtic Connections is a highlight of Glasgow and Scotland’s cultural calendar, and there is no better place to be come January. I would encourage anyone to experience the world’s leading folk, roots and world music festival and discover why Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music.’
Visit Celtic Connections 2025 Website for full programme details and tickets.
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