The January blues? Rid them with our run down of events in Glasgow this January.
By Tracy Mukherjee
Happy New Year Westenders! 2026 does indeed sound like a year out of Buck Rodgers, but we are here. Yes, it’s the depth of Winter, but the West End shines bright. What will get us through these oh-so-dim days? Well, read on!
Top for Ballet
Isn’t it just incredible that our little city still attracts the best international classical dance companies? To illustrate this, Glasgow has at least three of Ballet’s most famous shows this January.
At The Theatre Royal, The Scottish Ballet return with their re-telling of The Snow Queen. The Hans Christian Andersen tale is set to the music of Rimsky-Korsakov, performed by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra. A beautiful winter’s tale for all, the Ballet is choreographed by Christopher Hampson. And for those Ballet lovers who want to know the ins and outs of how such a production comes to life, the extremely popular Talk Ballet pre-show talks return. Extend the magic of Christmas with this Winter’s tale and head along to The Theatre Royal.
The internationally acclaimed Varna International Ballet perform the ballet of ALL ballets, Swan Lake at the Armadillo. Founded in 1947, the company have some of the best soloists in the world, and a corps de ballet of outstanding talent. And they are performing Swan Lake. Tchaikovsky’s score tells the tale of Odette, the white Swan Queen and her fight against the black swan Odile for the love of her Prince. Undoubtedly the most famous leads, playing the dual roles, how can you miss Swan Lake here in Glasgow?
And there’s more…
And to finish the round up of incredible ballet productions, is Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes at The King’s Theatre. This production won a double Olivier Award. Well, it is Matthew Bourne. Based on the mesmerising Powell and Pressberger film, the tale is yet again, a Hans Christian Andersen fable. Victoria Page dreams of being the best ballerina in the world. But will the man she loves draw her away from her dream? Or will the Ballet impresario Boris Lermontov’s magnetism attract her towards her career, her fate, the red shoes? Spellbinding and truly unmissable – even if you aren’t a ballet fan.
The Snow Queen
3rd – 17th Jan
Theatre Royal
w:atgtickets.com/shows/scottish-ballet-the-snow-queen/theatre-royal-glasgow/
Swan Lake
23rd/24th Jan
SEC Armadillo
w:sec.co.uk/events/detail/varna-ballet-swan-lake
The Red Shoes
27th Jan – 31st Jan
The King’s Theatre
w:atgtickets.com/shows/matthew-bournes-production-of-the-red-shoes/kings-theatre-glasgow
Top for Weddings
Now that the hullabaloo of Christmas and the New Year is done and dusted, you can get on with more important matters – like planning your wedding!
There are tons of wedding shows this winter, giving you plenty of ideas for how to plan the big day. The Scottish Confetti Wedding Show takes place at Oran Mor in January. Running over two days, the event has some of the best suppliers in the industry, with over 70 stands. There are also live performances from excellent musicians – maybe this will be the soundtrack to your wedding day? Totes Emosh!
The largest wedding show in Scotland takes place in February at the SEC. The Scottish Wedding Show is the perfect place for you and your partner to get some much – needed inspo to make your day oh-so perfect. With a runway show, Q & A with the best professionals in the business plus, of course, a Prosecco and Cocktail Bar to browse your freebies, it’s a one-stop wedding shop!
The Scottish Confetti and Wedding Show
17th -18th Jan
Oran Mor
w:confettiweddingfestival.co.uk
The Scottish Wedding Show
14th – 15th February
SEC
w:thescottishweddingshow.com
Top For Burns Night
Of the events in Glasgow in January that tops everyone’s list, it’s Burns Night. Top of the list for Burns Night is the award-winning Tall Ship Glenlee. Not only will you be celebrating Rabbie on the historic ship, but your hospitality for the evening will also be ship shape! With arrival cocktails and entertainment, the three-course meal is provided courtesy of Mharsanta Scottish Restaurant in Merchant City. The meal is paired with three delicious drams from Clydeside Distillery next door – you couldn’t get more local! And with the address to the haggis being accompanied by a piper and live ceilidh band, this is a Burns Night to remember.
Burns Night
24th Jan
The Tall Ship Glenlee
Pointhouse Place
w:thetallship.com/event/burns-night-on-the-tall-ship-glenlee-2026/
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