Culture in Glasgow
Find out what's going on
The free daily paper The Metro carries daily listings for cinema, music, theatre, comedy and clubs. There is a free monthly magazine The Skinny which can be picked up in cafes, libraries and bars which carries monthly listings for all cultural events. The List magazine is fortnightly lifestyle magazine which carries reviews and listing for food, music, theatre, cinema, exhibitions and is available from most newsagents.
Glasgow City council publishes The Glasgow Diary every three months which lists all events happening in their venues, it is widely available across the city. The accompanying website www.seeglasgow.com is a good online guide to events happening across the entire year.
Explore the city
Glasgow is a city with a rich history. A good place to start are the Heritage Trails. There are seven trails across the city: Glasgow Necropolis, Kelvinbridge, Clyde bridges, Southern Necroplois, Langside, Bellahouston and Pollokshaws. Visit their website for maps and routes.
The People's Palace is located on Glasgow Green. The Palace is Glasgow's social history museum and tells the story of the people and city of Glasgow from 1750 to the present. Attached to the People's Palace is the Winter Gardens and Victorian glasshouse where you can relax amongst the tropical plants and enjoy the café. There is a programme of temporary exhibitions and events throughout the year.
Art galleries
Contemporary art galleries include the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , Transmission , Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) , Tramway and a number of artist run spaces theough the city. The easiest way to find out what's happening is to check the gallery's own website or check out the The List's visual art pages.
Film
The Glasgow Film Theatre is an independent specialist cinema and if you are a Glasgow school pupil you can receive free tickets to certain films. Go to www.gft.org.uk for more information.
Libraries
Glasgow has lots of libraries which not only hold books which you are free to read and borrow, but also have many other resources available. These include newspapers, DVDs, CDs, local history materials and large print books.
To find your nearest library click here.
Most libraries also provide materials in different languages. Click here to find out more.
Glasgow also has a women's library. Services offered by Glasgow Women's Library include a lifelong learning programme, a literacy and numeracy project and a black & minority ethnic women's project.
Contact details: Glasgow Womens Library, 2nd Floor, 81 Parnie Street, Glasgow, G1 5RH
email: info@womenslibrary.org.uk
tel: 0141 552 8345
Museums
St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art explores the importance of religion in people's lives across the world and across time. The aim of the museum is to promote understanding and respect between people of different faiths and none.
Displays occupy three floors and are divided into four exhibition areas: the Gallery of Religious Art, the Gallery of Religious Life, the Scottish Gallery and a temporary exhibition space.
It is located at the top of Cathedral Street, City Centre, and next to the Royal Infirmary.
Contact details:
St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
2 Castle Street
Glasgow
G4 0RH
Phone: (0141) 553 2557
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is the most popular visitor attraction in Scotland and the most visited museum in the United Kingdom outside of London. It houses a large collection of art work and artefacts from around the world.
The museum is located on Argyle Street, in the West End of the city on the banks of the River Kelvin.
Contact details:
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Argyle Street
Glasgow
G3 8AG
Phone: (0141) 276 9599
There are another nine museums across the city, admission to all the sites is free.To find out where they are, how to get there and what's on check out their website.
Parks
A great day out for the whole family can be found at one of the seventy parks in Glasgow.There are a whole range of activities from orienteering trails, bowling greens, tennis courts, cycling trails and skateboard parks or you could just pack a picnic and go enjoy some peace and quiet. Pollok Park was awarded best park in Britain, why not check it out and see what you think?
Glasgow Parks run a programme of events throughout the year. To find out what's happening near you check out their website.
Theatre
The Citizens Theatre first opened as a theatre ‘for the people' - it was to be accessible and affordable for the people of Glasgow. Go to www.citz.co.uk for more information.
Previews cost £3, but occasionally you can see a dress rehearsal for free.
Please phone: (0141) 429 0022 to find out what free showings there are.
The theatre is located in the Gorbals, 15 minutes walk from both Central and Queen Street Station.
Sport
There are twenty seven leisure centres across the city click here to find your nearest centre. Centres offer a range of activities from athlectics, golf, racquet sports and hill walking. Click here to discover the sports projects and programmes available throughout Glasgow.
Remember that young people get free access to all Glasgow City Council's swimming pools with a Kidz Card or Young Scot Card !
Cycling is a great way to get to know the city and keep fit. Glasgow has over 110km of cycling network. There are free maps of cycle routes available at leisure centres across the city. Alternatively click here or call (0141) 287 9171 to request a copy.