Celtic Connections 2026: Global Icons, New Voices & Everything In Between
Celtic Connections returns to Glasgow from 15 January to 1 February 2026 with an astonishing line-up of over 1,200 artists across more than 25 venues, once again proving why it remains one of the most important winter music festivals anywhere. Blending global icons, homegrown heroes and breakthrough names, the programme stretches far beyond traditional boundaries — and that’s where it’s at its strongest.
Yes, the headliners are impressive. Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams and Béla Fleck bring heavyweight Americana credentials, while Buena Vista All Stars and Senegalese orchestral force Baobab underline the festival’s international reach. Add Scottish favourites Skerryvore, acclaimed indie duo Watchhouse, and Mon Rovîa, whose Afro-Appalachian folk channels a powerful personal story, and you have a bill that spans continents without losing focus.
But Celtic Connections has always been about more than the big rooms. Some of the most exciting moments in 2026 lie with artists pushing at the edges. Pictish Trail, joined by Callum Easter and Isa Gordon, headlines a standout night of adventurous pop and indie folk, while ADEM & Jo Mango offer an intimate, stripped-back set that rewards close listening. Elsewhere, Katie Gregson-MacLeod, Kathryn Joseph, The Laurettes and Alice Faye represent a newer generation of Scottish artists reshaping folk and songwriting in their own image.
With the Danny Kyle Open Stage, late-night Festival Club sessions and countless smaller shows scattered across the city, discovery is baked into the experience.
Celtic Connections 2026 isn’t just a celebration of tradition, it’s a snapshot of where folk, roots and world music are heading next. Come for the names you know. Leave with a few you didn’t.
Tickets for the festival are available here.
All images © as indicated.
