Back to brighten up some of Glasgow's best-loved streets and venues, the Merchant City Festival promises a much-needed and Covid-safe celebration of culture as it returns this summer with a fun-filled and mostly free programme of entertainment, running from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 July. As ever, the festival is brought to you by Glasgow Life, a charity that inspires people to lead richer and more active lives through culture and sport.

Festivities kick off at 4pm on Thursday 8 July with the eye-catching Carnival Party. Inspired by Baroque Venetian carnival traditions and featuring dancers and stilt walkers, it's been created in collaboration with Bridgeman Arts and Glasgow's circus school Aerial Edge. Tables can be booked at the local restaurants, cafés and bars on Hutcheson, Brunswick, Wilson, Candleriggs or Bell Street, allowing you to sit and drink in the spectacle in comfort and style.

From Friday 9 to Sunday 11 July the festival will take over Glasgow's buzzy city centre, lighting up George Square with dynamic dance and circus performances, including Swings (All or Nothing Aerial) which features aerialists on giant swings accompanied by an interactive soundscape, while later there's a chance to have a swing yourself. Also unfolding in George Square over the weekend is Wild, a dance-circus production from Motionhouse which creates an urban forest in the everyday of the city, as participants use their powerful physicality to move through a forest of tall poles. Walkabout in Merchant City will see performers dressed as limestone creatures, turtles and aliens take to the streets across the weekend, and Catch Me (Upswing) offers an intimate and surprising take on age, race and gender using a poetic mix of dance and acrobatics.

Saturday and Sunday will also see the Surge Festival take place at Barrowland Park, which promises a weird and wonderful line-up on a rolling schedule, allowing you to enjoy everything over a 90-minute visit. Cabaret acts will be primed to entertain you in a Covid-secure festival space, and you'll be able to build a nest, watch live digital sculpting and fill marbles with inspiration. Meanwhile, a walking tour dubbed In the City Still from Feathers Ensemble will incorporate music, movement and projections to take audiences on a thought-provoking journey.

If you're still not sold then Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council, has this to say, 'We're delighted to be able to share the programme for this year's Merchant City Festival. It is a fantastic line-up of events and I'm certain it will spark some much-needed joy and excitement after such a difficult year. Merchant City retailers, restaurants and bars are right at the heart of the city, and I can't wait to see the area light up with colour and entertainment next month. We're looking forward to welcoming people from Glasgow and beyond to enjoy the long weekend of festivities.'

With the exception of the walking tour, events are free but, due to the importance of managing numbers, you will need to book in advance for the events at George Square and Barrowland Park.

For more information on the full programme, safety measures and to book tickets visit merchantcityfestival.com.