Click on the doors to open the advent calendar!
Calton Community Council present your 2023 guide to what’s on in/around the East End this festive season! This list isn’t exhaustive so if there’s anything you’d like to tell us/everyone about, please do so in the comments. We’ve tried to make these listings as accurate, affordable and inclusive as possible, however please note, details were correct online at time of publication, and provided for information only. If you require further details/have any questions please contact the venue/organiser directly.
Meanwhile, have a wonderful festive season! Open the window for each day to find out more/book tickets! (Probably best you don’t wait, things can/do/will sell out!).
Friday 1st December – Glasgow Community Group Climate Action Gathering – 13:00 – 15:00 Glasgow Women’s Library 23 Landressy Street Bridgeton G40 1BP – Free (Ticketed) – Open Todays Window!
The budding Glasgow Community Climate Action Network is having a second network gathering! Come and hear about the new Glasgow Climate Action Hub and get involved in the 2024/25 application. This is a great opportunity to get involved in what’s happening with the Glasgow Climate Action Hub.
Saturday 2nd December – Guided Tour of Bridgeton Bus Garage – 12:00 and 14:00 (Family Friendly) Bridgeton Bus Garage 76 Fordneuk Street Bridgeton G40 3AH – £5/£3 – Open Todays Window!
Join for a guided tour of Bridgeton Bus Garage and see the collection of over 130 buses, fire engines and commercial vehicles, from fully restored vehicles to those under various stages of restoration. Tour guides will take a party of guests around the garage on a tour that takes around 1 hour, with the 2pm tour being more suited to groups with younger visitors.
Sunday 3rd December – Family Cycle Ride – 12:30 The Obelisk @ Glasgow Green G1 5DB – Free – Open Todays Window!
Gather from 12.30 at the Obelisk, leave at 1.00! Bring your own picnic, and join on. or after the ride for family friendly fun and games in the park. Circular route from the Obelisk, Glasgow green, stopping at George square and returning to Glasgow Green again. Partnering with Women On Wheels and Sunny Cycles.
Monday 4th December – Ashanti Harris exhibition: A Carnival of Overlapping Histories – 10:00 – 17:00 Platform The Bridge 1000 Westerhouse Road G34 9JW – Free – Open Todays Window!
In June 2023, volunteers from Glasgow North East residents were invited to exchange stories with Ashanti and work together to create a plaster cast of their face. The project celebrates the cultures and family histories of the Caribbean, Africa and Asia – and explores how these have entangled with Scotland’s own.
Tuesday 5th December – Thrive Play Session – 10:30 Helenslea Community Hall 48 Methven Street G31 4RB – Free – Open Todays Window!
Free baby and toddler sessions for families to promote play and child development in a fun, friendly, relaxed environment.
Wednesday 6th December – Winter Wild Foods: Beginners Foraging Walk – 19:00 Alexandra Park G31 – Free – Open Todays Window! (Fully booked/waiting list available)
An introduction to foraging consciously and sustainably according to the Hunter-Gatherer Way, starting by identifying some beginners’ edible foods including leaves, roots, seeds, flowers, mushrooms and trees, then discussing your findings and enjoying some wild tea! All ages welcome.
Thursday 7th December – Berrie Big Band Christmas Show – 19:00 – 22:15 Saint Luke’s 17 Bain St G40 2JZ – £7/£5 + Booking Fee – Open Todays Window!
Unapologetically cheesy Christmas stuff interspersed with an eclectic mix of TV/movie themes, rock, pop & soul music!
Friday 8th December – Friends of Glasgow Royal Infirmary Carol Service – 16:30/17:30 – 18:30 Glasgow Cathedral Castle Street G4 0QZ (reception beforehand from 430pm in Friends of Glasgow Royal Infirmary Museum, entrance off Castle Street on Cathedral Precinct) – Free – Open Todays Window!
A fab festive hour feat. St Mungo’s Primary School Choir, The Telemann Ensemble, Prof Malcolm Sim on the organ & Revd Mark Johnstone.
Saturday 9th December – Whitehill Christmas Fayre – 11:00 – 15:00 Whitehill School 280 Onslow Drive G31 2QF – Free – Open Todays Window!
Join for unique gift ideas, fundraising and festive fun!
Sunday 10th December – Necropolis Flower Memorial (Introduction to “Glasgow Requiem”) – 12:00 Meet at “Bridge of Sighs” Glasgow Cathedral/Necropolis G4 0QZ – Free – Open Todays Window!
Join to help with the first planting of a Wild Flower Memorial, marking the start of Aproxima Arts’ new programme Glasgow Requiem. The cemetery contains 21,000 common or unmarked graves, where people were buried when their families or friends could not afford the price of a headstone or lair. Help to mark and celebrate the lives of those who lived, worked, and died in Glasgow at a time of great change, irrespective of wealth or status. All are welcome, bring a flask, boots, gloves and something to share, otherwise all tools provided. Any questions, please contact overlunanpm@gmail.com
Monday 11th December – Anam Creative Eco Collab Exhibition – 18:00 – 21:00 Many Studios 3 Ross Street G1 5AR – Free – Open Todays Window!
Throughout 2023, anam creative have run two projects hiring emerging visual artists and musicians to create work about the Scottish environment. This exhibition sees the culmination of their process-driven works in progress of the 12 creatives come together at Many Studios. Varying from film, to textiles, to jewellry and ceramics, the work has a central theme of Scottish land and water. BYOB!
Tuesday 12th December – Bridgeton Cross Retail Market – 09:00 – 15:00 2 Orr St Bridgeton G40 2QH – Free – Open Todays Window!
All are welcome to browse a wide range of fresh produce, including fruit & vegetables, butcher meat, poultry, eggs and fish, as well as groceries, clothing and household goods.
Wednesday 13th December – Glasgow Biodiversity Action Team – Tree Planting at Tollcross Park – 10:30 – 15:00 Tollcross Park 591 Tollcross Road G32 8TF – Free – Open Todays Window!
A session of tree planting at Tollcross Park to enhance biodiversity in Glasgow’s greenspaces. Town pickups are available. Volunteers must be 16 or older. For more details, contact Camilo at camilo.brokaw@tcv.org.uk or call 07767112094
Thursday 14th December – Bread with Love: Soul Food Sisters Cooking Class – 10:30 – 13:00 Soul Food Sisters 202 Gallowgate G1 5DS – Free – Open Todays Window!
A cultural cooking masterclass with the Soul Food Sisters, learning to make Algerian bread. During this workshop, the ladies will share personal stories about the meaning and the history of bread within their culture, alongside sharing recipes and top tips, and hope to spark a conversation about culture, family, and tradition encouraging guests to share their own stories and discuss new experiences together.
Friday 15th December – The Cooperation Band Christmas Concert – 19:30 St Philomena RC Church 1255 Royston Road G33 1EH – £10/£5 + Booking Fee – Open Todays Window!
An unforgettable evening of festive music by The Cooperation Band, hosted by the parish of St Philomena in the heart of Provanmill. Refreshments included in the ticket price after the concert. Gather your loved ones and come together to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!
Saturday 16th December – I Am A Raver Baby – 13:00 – 15:00 The Dream Machine 257 London Rd G40 1PE – £10/£5/Family Ticket £30 + Booking Fee – Open Todays Window!
All ages family rave from Scotland’s #1 rave brand ‘I Am A Raver’ featuring Gary McF, DJ Zitkus & Santa!
Sunday 17th December – Brunch with Santa! – 11:00 Drygate Brewing Co 85 Drygate G4 0UT – £14 – Open Todays Window!
Get into the festive spirit as you tuck into a tasty brunch dish before meeting Santa. Includes storytime, activity stations and a gift! Great event for the whole family.
Monday 18th December – Mind Waves Jam Session – 11:00 – 13:00 The Dream Machine 257 London Rd G40 1PE – Free – Open Todays Window!
Come along to share music and songs, creative writing and stories (can be original or just share your favourites), join in a few sing-a-longs or simply come along to listen and have a chat.
Tuesday 19th December – Christmas Market at Glasgow Fort – 10:00 – 22:00 Glasgow Fort Junction 10 M8 G34 9DL – Free – Open Todays Window!
Feast on a selection of food and drinks stalls with mini-Dutch pancakes, Yorkshire pudding wraps and hot churros all available – as well as the highly anticipated return of the Bavarian bar and swing grill. Accompanied by a funfair, complete with candy cane trampolines, a Big Wheel and funfair rides including a balloon ride and stalls selling craft gifts and decorations.
Wednesday 20th December – Find Calm with the Breathing Space – 19:00 – 20:00 The Wellbeing Hub 14 Rogart Street Bridgeton G40 2AA – £12 – Open Todays Window!
This 60 minute practice is designed to calm you down and bring peace to your body and mind, regulating nervous systems and activating the parasympathetic response by bringing the heart rate right down. It’s a BYOB&M event (bring your own blanket and mat!) though these can also be provided. Includes an ayurvedic drink to keep you warm.
Thursday 21st December – Quizmas with Cats! – 18:30 – 20:00 Purrple Cat Cafe 2 Trongate G1 5ES – £5 (Registration Required) – Open Todays Window!
Join to take purrt in the best festive Quiz in toon! There’s lots of christmassy prizes to be won, and of course 30+ kitties included tae! Well behaved children allowed (5 and over), cosy christmas jumpers welcomed!
Friday 22nd December – Cinderella – 10:30 Platform The Bridge 1000 Westerhouse Road G34 9JW – £10.50/£7/£6 – Open Todays Window!
Packed full of songs, jokes and larger than life characters, join for a family friendly, joyful show from the team that brought you Sleeping Beauty and Mother Goose fae Easterhoose – it’s the perfect way to get in the festive mood!
Saturday 23rd December – High Street Funk and Soul Christmas Party – 20:00 McChuills 80 High St G1 1NL – Free – Open Todays Window!
Patch the last minute shopping rush and celebrate the sounds of Funk and Soul.
Christmas Eve Sunday 24th December – Barras Midnight Xmas Eve Market – 10:00 – Midnight Barras Market 244 Gallowgate G1 5DX – Free – Open Todays Window!
Join for a magical celebration of festive cheer and last-minute shopping keeping the spirit of Christmas alive well into the night on Christmas Eve. Experience the enchanting atmosphere of the Barras Xmas Market under the twinkling lights, and indulge in the joy of finding unique gifts and treats for your loved ones.
Christmas Day Monday 25th December – Merry Xmas Everyone!
