May is here which means more fun in store! The novelty of going out hasn’t worn off yet (and we don’t think it will any time soon) and with these events and activities happening this month, it proves that in April we were only just getting started. So without further ado, here are all the best things to do in Glasgow this May.
1. Get an unbelievable caffeine fix with the return of Glasgow Coffee Festival
The beans are being roasted, baristas are poised, so get ready to do all things coffee-related among Scotland’s incredible speciality coffee community taking place at The Briggait on May 11 & 12. It’s time to wake up and smell the coffee big time with the return of Glasgow Coffee Festival for its eighth year. Produced by Dear Green Coffee Roasters, the festival will be welcoming coffee professionals and friends from across the country to showcase their products, their skills and their passion for all things coffee. Plus, the organisers will be taking Glasgow Coffee Festival ‘to the streets’ allowing access to a whole host of deals and discounts from more than 50 of Glasgow’s best indie cafes and retailers for two whole weeks.
2. Hear tributes to Coldplay and Imagine Dragons while surrounded by thousands of flowers and candles
Ready to drift away from all your worries? Well, hang tight as Fever have the solution with this super impressive candlelight Spring concert returning to Glasgow this May 31. Oran Mor is getting decked in colourful blooms and candles, where a string quartet is going to perform everyone’s favourite hits from Coldplay and Imagine Dragons. Prepare to be taken into the clouds with these masterpieces! Book your tickets here.
3. Go to a paint and sip workshop in the dark
While painting in the dark doesn’t sound like the most intuitive thing to do, it is just as fun as it sounds. Guests can create neon art with fluorescent colours, a decent playlist, and plenty of drinks in Glasgow this May. A free drink is included in the ticket, along with art supplies to get those creative juices flowing, with the final result ready to be displayed at home. The Neon Brush: Sip and Paint workshops are taking place at Arta between May 17 and 19, bringing three days of artsy fun in the dark to the city. You can buy your tickets here.
4. Embark on a Celtic Park stadium tour with a three-course dinner
Sports fans can embark on a tour of Celtic Park followed by a three-course dinner at the Number 7 restaurant. The 60-minute tour includes everything you could wish for in exploring a stadium, including the home team dressing room and Celtic FC Boardroom. To book the tour and dine option, head to Fever. What is more, visitors can also opt for just the tour, with the tickets available for purchase here.
5. Attend a Mexican-themed ceilidh this Cinco de Mayo
Another one to add to your things to do in Glasgow list is where Scotland and Mexico will come together on Friday, May 5, where the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated in the best way we know how – a ceilidh. Street food favourite Dockyard Social is organising a special night Cinco de Ceilidh, where guests will dance the night away between 5pm and 11pm. There will be two sittings, one starting at 6:30pm and the other at 8pm, with tickets being £8 and also getting guests a welcome drink upon arrival. Plus, all the usual street food will also be available, such as Neapolitan pizzas and Greek gyros. If you can’t make the Cinco de Ceilidh, Dockyard Social also hosts frequent boozy disco brunches which as sometimes themed, so just check out their events programme.
7. Taste your way through the finest dishes and produce at Eat & Drink Festival
The Eat & Drink Festival Scotland is returning to SEC Glasgow between May 24 and 27 with even more mouth-watering food and drink from the very best local producers. At this tasty show, you can learn new culinary skills, get top tips on mastering a new dish, discover new wines, beers and spirits, see celebrity chefs cook their favourite dishes, shop for the freshest ingredients and take home fantastic produce from one of several unique artisan producers. With so much on offer, this foodie festival is sure to leave you with new foodie ideas, inspiration and a taste for food you never thought you had.
8. Witness the magical allure of the Scottish Highlands on this guided tour from Glasgow
A day in the Highlands is always an amazing day trip, offering spectacular vistas and that much-needed nature fix. For those who don’t drive themselves, a guided tour is the perfect option to get out up North, including a stunning waterfall walk. The tour takes around 10 hours, starting at 8am, with a 2-3 hour walk to the Falls of Falloch, as well as exploring Glencoe, the West Highland Way, Loch Lomond, Buachaille Etive Mor, Balloch and more. You can book your tickets here, and the tour fits up to 8 people per booking.
9. Escape the hustle and bustle by venturing to these gorgeous hidden beaches
Life can be rather overwhelming and a change in scenery and a bit of fresh air is a great way to switch off. Scotland is blessed with many beauty spots, including some of its beautiful beaches for us to explore, however, some can be rather busy thus preventing us from fully taking in the wonderful surroundings. Check out our guide to some of the hidden gem beaches for a bit of reflection including a tiny sandy beach by the river Kelvin within Glasgow itself.
10. Start the day right at these wonderful breakfast spots
Whether breakfast is the most important meal of the day or not has been debated by experts for a while now, but breakfast can certainly become the most delicious meal of the day if we look in the right places. While the hardcore breakfast lovers out there will already have a favourite spot in mind, check out our favourite cafes and restaurants that serve a phenomenal breakfast in Glasgow. From East to West, and from North to South, Glasgow has plenty of breakfast spots to try. Try a mouth-watering pancake stack, a simple yet effective brekkie roll or just go with a freshly-made pastry.
11. Dance away at this disco and electronic music festival
The annual Springtime Weekender festival organised by Melting Pot and Heverlee is back in Glasgow on May 4 & 5, where melophiles can indulge in a diversity of music genres during the Springtime bank holiday weekend. A splendid line-up of acts such as the iconic The Blessed Madonna, DJ Paulette and The Melting Pot DJs are going to delight music lovers, with musicians from all genres uniting festival goers on the dancefloor.
12. Go for a swim at this heated outdoor pool near Glasgow
Gourock Outdoor Pool is improving everyone’s swimming experience by a mile this May, offering a heated swim with vistas over the Clyde Estuary. Part of Inverclyde Leisure, the facilities have also been recently refurbished as part of a renovation project. The heated saltwater pool is re-opening for the season on May 3 this year, making it a delightful family day out, as children travel for just £1 on ScotRail.
13. Play with adorable cats at Glasgow’s newest cat cafe
When it comes to things to do in Glasgow this May, playing with cats just had to be on the list. Meow Cafe opened its doors at the end of April on Woodlands Road, boasting the regal presence of cats of all colours, cat play areas, toys, cakes, croissants, as well as tarts, and soft and hot drinks.