Clydebuilt Festival to celebrate new bridge

Clydebuit Festival has revealed its programme ahead of the opening of the new Govan-Partick Bridge.

The maritime festival will complement a weekend of activity and celebration to mark the opening of the new footbridge that links the north and south banks of the city.

The festival returns to the Riverside Museum on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September from 10am until 7pm, and is timed to start as the new Govan-Partick Bridge opens to the public for the first time on Saturday.

While Clydebuilt Festival entertains visitors on the north bank, a one-off, day-long event, the Govan Footbridge Festival, entertain visitors with music and stalls on the Govan side of the river.

 Supported

The Govan Footbridge Festival is being supported by the University of Glasgow and Glasgow City Council, two of the partners behind Glasgow Riverside Innovation District.

Image: Music and bands will also feature at Clydebuilt Festival

The local community has been be engaged in the delivery of the festival, with stalls representing many local charities and organisations at the heart of the event, and a diverse lineup of musical acts entertaining visitors across its two stages.

Notable local heritage assets including The Govan Stones, The Pearce Institute, Fairfield Heritage Museum and Elder Park will be clearly signposted, showcasing all the area has to offer alongside the festival.

On Saturday, the free Clydebuilt Festival plays host to Castle to Crane, Scotland’s biggest open water competition where boats race from the historic Dumbarton Castle to the iconic Finnieston Crane with the prizegiving party afterwards at the Clydebuilt Festival.

The programme features a free outdoor ceilidh led by the talented musicians from Glasgow Folk Music Workshop alongside singing workshops from Tripple and Voicemale. 

There are  demonstrations of outdoor survival skills from Backwoods and traditional crafts with the GalGael Trust, and a  collection of handmade, local products at the Clydebuilt Market.

Young visitors can enjoy sea monster & scallywag stories, face painting, interactive Graffiti wall provided by young artists from Articulate & SWG3 and free outdoor fun with Operation Play Outdoors. 

In the music tent visitors can hear everything from electric ceilidh and acoustic sets to sea shanties and historic fishing songs, including sets from the Brass aye?!, The Soul Doctors 5 Strings and The Bhangra Beatles.

The opening of the Govan Partick footbridge means it’s easier than ever to get to the festival site and we’re excited to show everyone the excellent line up of musicians, makers, and traders we’ve arranged. No tickets needed, so pop down and get involved

- Rachel Edwards

Fill your boots with grub from Glasgow’s best street food vendors, grab a drink in the Clydebuilt Bar, and soak up the atmosphere. 

“We’re expecting our busiest year yet," said festival director Rachel Edwards.

“The opening of the Govan Partick footbridge means it’s easier than ever to get to the festival site and we’re excited to show everyone the excellent line up of musicians, makers, and traders we’ve arranged. No tickets needed, so pop down and get involved.”  

Clydebuilt Festival works in partnership with The GalGael Trust, Riverside Museum and Tall Ship Glenlee to deliver this event which welcomed 15,000 visitors at its last event in 2023.

Stewart Thompson from the Riverside Museum said  “The Clydebuilt Festival is always a great event in the Riverside calendar and the team are really looking forward to welcoming everyone over the weekend.

“So much so, that we have extended our opening hours until 7pm on Saturday and Sunday, to make the most of celebrating the festival and the new Govan-Partick bridge.”