Glasgow Blythswood Festival

Paisley Art Institute 137th Annual Open Exhibition
2026-05-11 10:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-12 10:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-13 10:00 - 19:00 (Europe/London) | Glasgow Art Club, 185 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HU, United Kingdom
Glasgow Art Club, 185 Bath Street

In its 150th Anniversary Year, Paisley Art Institute supports and promotes art in its prize-winning 137th Annual Exhibition. With over 500 quality artworks – paintings, prints, drawings and sculpture – by 240 talented artists.

Enjoy the Institute’s home-base in the unique Glasgow Art Club and renowned main gallery with features designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Witness the very best of Scottish creativity all in one vibrant and inspiring space.

Watch painting demonstrations each week by invited artists. Enjoy also treasures of the Paisley Art Institute’s heritage collection throughout the building.

Open Mondays to Saturdays, 10am to 7pm (excluding Holiday Monday 4th)

Full catalogue available.

Free entry. Refreshments and food available.

Running from Saturday 25th April to Saturday 23rd May.

Glasgow Film Theatre
2026-05-11 12:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-12 12:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-13 12:00 - 22:00 | Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow, G3 6RB, United Kingdom
Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street

The art-deco Glasgow Film Theatre in Rose Street just off Sauchiehall Street, built in 1939 as the Cosmo, has been leading the way in art cinema for decades. The three screens show 100% specialised titles, first run world and independent cinema, artists’ experimental work, rarely screened classics and undiscovered gems from countries all around the world, thematic seasons, repertory programmes, Scottish produced work, festivals, and a programme of event cinema and live broadcast.

GFT is an educational charity, a hub of activity where children, families, and young people learn about film, communities come together, and filmmakers of the future develop their careers.

Open seven days a week from 12 noon.

For daily opening times and listings go to https://www.glasgowfilm.org/home

The Birds of America by John James Audubon - A World Treasure
2026-05-11 12:30 - 16:30, 2026-05-13 12:30 - 13:30 | Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow, 232-242 St Vincent Street, Glasgow
Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow, 232 St Vincent Street

John James Audubon (1785-1851) produced his world famous ‘The Birds of America’ between 1827-1838. With hundreds of master-piece plates depicting life-sized bird species in hand-coloured etchings, aquatints and engravings. The Royal College bought the first two volumes published in 1838, for its premises then in St Enoch Square.

In this new exhibition, see and hear how these valuable double elephantine volumes were created by Audubon’s passion for nature and his achievements in art and ornithology, and their continuing use in learning of life and nature.

A Natural Connection : Darwin and Audubon

Visitors will also get the chance to see this companion exhibition also currently running which tells the story of the remarkable personal, family and professional connections that linked these two extraordinary men.

Tours start promptly at 12.30m at Reception

(Monday 11th is a special drop in afternoon 12.30 to 4.30pm )

Free exhibitions

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Mondays at One: Keyboard
2026-05-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB, United Kingdom
The Keyboard Department take to the stage in this week’s Mondays at One.

Miss Cranston, Toshie & Tea
2026-05-12 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-13 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-14 09:00 - 16:00 | The Mackintosh Tearooms, 215-217 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3EX, United Kingdom
The Mackintosh Tearooms, 215-217 Sauchiehall Street

At leisure, explore our celebrated Exhibition in the original Willow Tearooms in Sauchiehall Street and see and learn of the vibrant city of Glasgow in the late 1890s and early 1900s. Times of exciting change and innovation. Learn about the growth of the tea rooms and hear the successful story of entrepreneur Miss Kate Cranston and her creative collaboration with architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife, and fellow designer, Margaret Macdonald. With interactive, audio and visual displays there’s plenty to get involved with.

Exhibition Entry for just £4.00 per person with Code BLYTH2026 when purchased at the Visitor Centre.

Children Under 10 Accompanied by an adult: Free

Simply drop in to visit the exhibition, open daily.

Last entry 4.00 pm.

For more information on The Mackintosh Tearooms please visit:

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/the-mackintosh-tearooms

The National Piping Centre
2026-05-12 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-13 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-14 09:00 - 17:00 | The National Piping Centre, 30-34 McPhater Street, Glasgow, G4 6HW, United Kingdom
The National Piping Centre, at the top of Hope Street

An international centre of music and hospitality, world class tuition and performance. Visit the Museum of Piping at The National Piping Centre to explore 300 years of Scotland’s musical history in our permanent collection, and try the bagpipes for yourself!

Enjoy fascinating films on the history, culture and music of the bagpipe – here and overseas – before trying your hand at playing this iconic Scottish instrument. Stepping through to the Pipers Tryst restaurant provides refreshment and sustenance all day and evening.

General admission is £5 for self-guided tour. Open Daily

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm (last entry 4pm)

Saturday – Sunday 9am – 3pm (last entry 2pm)

Meet the Piper Tours

Discover the story behind Scotland’s national instrument with our Meet the Piper tour – a unique experience that brings piping history and tradition to life. Join us just before 12 noon where you will be greeted by a professional piper playing outside the building. Then guided by our piper host, you’ll explore our Museum of Piping, learn about the history and culture of the Great Highland Bagpipe. You will then be able to get hands on with the practice chanter to learn a tune and then try the bagpipes all live in this intimate setting. You’ll also have the chance to ask questions and see the instrument up close.A must-do for visitors looking for an authentic taste of Scottish heritage.

The Meet the Piper Tour is available on

Fridays and Saturdays 1st & 2nd May, 8th & 9th May and 15th & 16th May all starting at 12noon.

Entry fee is £5 and the tour is included in the entry fee

No need to book, arrive around 10 minutes before the start of the event to get your tickets on the day.

Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum
2026-05-12 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-05-13 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-05-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, 518 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, 518 Sauchiehall Street, Charing Cross

In the only regimental museum in the West of Scotland, see over 300 years of regimental life and active duty of today’s Regiment around the globe, combining Glasgow’s famous Highland Light Infantry and the Royal Scots Fusiliers of Ayrshire and Glasgow, and their volunteer origins.

Follow them, their recruitment, training and soldiering around the world, in North America, continental Europe, India and Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. And the world wars of WWI and WWII, and later campaigns including Malaya, Iraq and Afghanistan. View rare collections of uniforms, equipment, medals, maps, rations, letters, pictures and other memorabilia.

Among many themes on display, witness the 71st and 74th of Foot in the Peninsula Campaign and Waterloo 1807-1815.

Join two Special Events. One in the Colonel of the Regiments Room, on the third floor. is on Thursday 7th May: Lunch time talk. 12.30-13.30 Glasgow’s Finest: Stories of the Victoria Cross, and the other is in the main gallery on Saturday 16th May: Afternoon. 14.00 -15.30 Victoria Cross displays.

More details are on the page for the 7th and for the 16th.

Guided tours, school visits, family and children’s events can be arranged.

The RHF Museum ground floor is on street level, upper floors access by stairs.

Free entry, donations welcome.

Compass Gallery
2026-05-12 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-13 10:00 - 17:00 | Compass Gallery, 178 West Regent Street, Glasgow, G2 4RL, United Kingdom
Compass Gallery, 178 West Regent Street

For 57 years, Glasgow’s Compass Gallery has been the foremost contemporary gallery in the West of Scotland. Its role as principal talent spotter of new young Scottish based painters is widely recognised. The gallery also regularly shows the more established artists who see the need to be identified with a progressive and responsive gallery later in their careers. Compass Gallery’s interests are not confined to Scottish based artists, in fact, it is an important part of its policy to bring some of the more prominent and influential British artists to Glasgow.

A not-for-profit charity, it is renowned for its support of emerging new talent and presents monthly changing exhibitions throughout the year. Works on show include Anna H. Geerdes, Peter Howson, Shona Kinloch, Jack Knox, Bet Low, Neil MacPherson, Iona Roberts, Andy Scott, Adrian Wiszniewski, Alma Wolfson, New Generation artists from the 4 Scottish Art Schools and many others.

A Mixed Exhibition will run during May.

Free admission.

Gerber Fine Art
2026-05-12 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-13 10:00 - 17:00 | Gerber Fine Art Gallery, 178 West Regent Street, Glasgow, G2 4RL, United Kingdom
Gerber Fine Art, 178 West Regent Street

Joan Eardley RSA

25 April – 30 May 2026

This Joan Eardley exhibition shows work from throughout her whole career, and includes some early drawings and paintings from her European travels after graduating from Glasgow School of Art. Eardley wrote poetically of the colours she observed around her, and there are some strong examples showing her awareness of Fauvism, strongly demonstrated in her Catterline landscapes and pastel drawings of the Glasgow children. Many of these works on show have been on loan to the major Eardley exhibitions in the Scottish National Galleries in Edinburgh and some are for sale.

Established in 1986 this gallery Gerber Fine Art is an intimate Glasgow city centre space for art enthusiasts, collectors and first-time buyers to browse through an exciting collection of paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture by prominent 19th to 21st century British artists, Glasgow Girls & Boys, Scottish Masters, Modern British, St. Ives School and regular exhibitions of current Contemporary Scottish artists. Works on show include Elizabeth Blackadder, William Crosbie, Joan Eardley, JD Fergusson, John Houston, James Kay, Jack Knox, Sir John Lavery, William McCance, Margaret Morris, Philip Reeves, Tom H. Shanks, Euan Uglow and many others.

Free admission.

Exhibition: ‘Music, Mackintosh & Murder’
2026-05-12 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-13 10:00 - 17:00 | RGI Kelly Gallery, 118 Douglas Street, Glasgow
RGI Kelly Gallery

Set in its modern Kelly Gallery near Blythswood Square, the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts hosts a special exhibition. Inspired by the legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow’s vibrant music scene and its popular crime stories, the gallery will host new work by current RGI members and entertain the viewers with the deadly mix of culture and crime that Glaswegians love.

The contemporary art scene in Glasgow is known for its experimental energy and strong community of artists. While much of the work is forward-looking and conceptual, the influence of Charles Rennie Mackintosh continues in the city’s creative identity. Institutions such as the Glasgow School of Art have helped shape generations of artists, linking Mackintosh’s elegant design legacy with today’s bold, contemporary practices. Our music scene is raw, energetic and constantly evolving.

Glasgow crime writer Alex Grey officially opens the exhibition on the 2nd of May.

Exhibition continuing to 13 June.

Free entry

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Governors Recital Prize for Woodwind
2026-05-12 14:00 - 17:00 | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB, United Kingdom
Senior RCS Woodwind student compete for the coveted Governors Recital Prize for Woodwind.

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Governors Recital Prize for Singing
2026-05-12 18:00 - 21:00 | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB, United Kingdom
Senior RCS Vocal Studies students compete for the coveted Governors Recital Prize for Singing.

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Governors Recital Prize for Strings
2026-05-13 14:00 - 17:00 | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB, United Kingdom
Senior RCS Strings students compete for the coveted Governors Recital Prize for Strings.

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Governors Recital Prize for Brass
2026-05-13 18:00 - 21:00 | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB, United Kingdom
Senior RCS Brass students compete for the coveted Governors Recital Prize for Brass.

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Dperf Performance: The Love of Medtner: Sholpan Miller & Nikolay Orininskiy
2026-05-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB, United Kingdom
Nikolai Medtner Three Nocturnes for violin and piano op. 16 (1909)Nikolai Medtner Violin Sonata No. 1 in B minor op. 21 (1910)

Sholpan Miller PianoNikolay Orininskiy Violin

Scottish Opera - The Marriage of Figaro
2026-05-13 19:00 - 22:30 | Theatre Royal, 282 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 3QA, United Kingdom
Theatre Royal, 282 Hope Street

Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, sung in English and directed by Sir Thomas Allen

Reflecting the insight and experience of a seasoned performer, Sir Thomas Allen’s Figaro is full of humour, subtlety, and wit. The sumptuous designs provide the backdrop for a comedy of social revolution and subversion that is as relevant today as ever.. All wedding days are complicated, but nothing compared to Figaro’s. After discovering that his boss, the Count, plots to seduce his wife, Figaro and Susanna must use their wit to outsmart their employer, whilst making it down the aisle.

Relish Mozart’s bubbling, energetic score in the hands of the Orchestra of Scottish Opera.

Perfect for newcomers and seasoned opera fans.

Evening performances Curtain up 7.15pm

There is an audio-described version on Sunday 17th May at 3pm
