Celtic Connections has announced the programme for its 32nd year of folk, roots and world music fun, filling 25 venues on both sides of the Clyde with around 300 events across 18 days. The festival will take place from Thursday 16 January–Sunday 2 February and tickets will go on sale at 10am on Wednesday 16 October. In a first for the festival, a pass for anyone under the age of 26 will be available, giving young music fans an opportunity to access rolling discounts on a mix of shows. 

In the mix is multi GRAMMY-winning Americana singer Lyle Lovett, who will make his debut at the festival; KT Tunstall, who will play from her hit album Eye To The Telescope to mark 20 years since its release; a massive headline show from Karine Polwart (main picture); a Scottish National Jazz Orchestra night featuring acts like Fergus McCreadie and kitti; and Peat And Diesel making history as the first band to perform at the Emirates Arena. 

Marking their SAY Award nomination in style will be lauded jazz act corto.alto, who’ll perform at the Barrowland Ballroom alongside fellow Scottish talent Bemz, Pippa Blundell, Becky Sikasa and JSPHYNX.

And following on from last year’s televised sold out shows, Roddy Hart’s Roaming Roots Revue will return with Icons Vol. 1. Backed by a 60-piece orchestra of students from the Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland and Roddy’s house band Roddy Hart And The Lonesome Fire, this year’s show at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall will welcome Yola, Villagers, Nadine Shah, Hamish Hawk, Ed Harcourt, Jill Jackson, Withered Hand & Kathryn Williams, and Phil Campbell as they celebrate greats like Elton John, The Beatles and Bowie.

Donald Shaw, creative producer for Celtic Connections, said, ‘We are incredibly proud of Celtic Connections’ place as an ecosystem for new music and art. In 2025 we are bringing together international icons with emerging acts to create career-defining performances and never-seen-before collaborations, not to mention great nights out for our audiences.

‘Celtic Connections went from being primarily a Glasgow festival, to a national festival, to an international flagship event. Like many acts on our line-up, we have expanded in size and ambition over the years, drawing inspiration from the old tradition and the boundless possibilities of contemporary music. Through it all, Glasgow remains at our heart, so to open the festival in celebration of our city’s artistic clout is incredibly special. Audiences can expect a night of secret surprises that we hope will bring a real sense of magic and anticipation to the first night of  the festival, setting the tone for the weeks ahead.

‘As a forward-thinking festival which always looks to embrace new opportunities and spaces for performance, we’re very excited to be staging a pilot music event in the Emirates Arena, creating a new experience for audiences and extending our reach into the east end of the city.

‘In the last 20 years traditional music has entered the mainstream, it’s embraced in our pubs and biggest venues, and we will once again drive the genre’s appeal, profile and potential forward in our 2025 artistic commissions. If you think Glasgow in January isn’t the place to be – you just haven’t ever been to Celtic Connections.’

Find the full programme on the Celtic Connections site. 

Tickets for Celtic Connections go on sale at 10am on Wednesday 16 October.