Glasgow: Always an eventful experience

As one of Europe’s premier cultural capitals, you’ll always find Glasgow an eventful experience whether you’re a clubber, concert-goer, opera aficionado, theatre lover or dance fan!

Glasgow has been selected as the UK city to bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. In 2007 its sporting credentials will be further reinforced when Glasgow plays host to the prestigious UEFA Cup (soccer) Final and the Sudirman Cup world badminton championships.

So no matter when you arrive in the city you’ll find live performances, festivals, exhibitions, sporting fixtures and entertainment fifty-two weeks of the year! Here we raise the curtain on a few highlights for 2007 in Glasgow: Scotland with style.

• LAST CHANCE TO SEE: The Earth Turned to Bring us Closer (until 25 February)
The Earth Turned to Bring us Closer is the first temporary exhibition to be held in the newly refurbished Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum. The exhibition looks at the shortness of human life against the often-unimaginable backdrop of the Earth spinning in its vast orbit. Artists Dalziel + Scullion have created a stunning and moving portrait of the inhabitants of Glasgow, glimpsed at this moment in time. The work is accompanied by a soundtrack - Memory Takes My Hand - by award winning Glaswegian composer Craig Armstrong. Glasgowmuseums.com

• Glasgow Film Festival (15 – 25 February)
Running from the 15 – 25 February and taking place in the city centre’s cinemas, the Glasgow Film Festival recognises Glasgow as a hub of European filmmaking. Now in its third year, GFF 2007 promises to be more exciting and vibrant than ever. The festival offers a full programme of screenings and events, features, film premiers and panel discussions. Glasgowfilmfestival.org.uk

• Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival (8 - 24 March)
Now in its fifth year, the Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival has firmly established itself on the city’s cultural events calendar. Each year, audiences young and old are entertained with the best in well-established and brand new comedy talent from across the globe. Glasgowcomedyfestival.com

• Glasgow Art Fair: Scotland’s National Art Fair (19 – 22 April)
The Glasgow Art Fair has grown to become one of the UK’s most prestigious contemporary art fairs outside London. This hugely popular event will return to George Square in the heart of Glasgow's city centre, with the widest possible range of quality visual art to view and buy. Glasgowartfair.com

• Triptych (25 – 29 April)
Triptych is one of Europe’s most innovative and exhilarating music events. Triptych’s trademark fusion of local talent, underexposed sonic mavericks and international legends will delight enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Triptychfestival.com

• UEFA Cup Final (16 May)
Glasgow will host one of Europe’s biggest sporting events of the year. The UEFA Cup Final will be played at Scotland’s national stadium, Hampden Park. Seeglasgow.com/uefa

• Six Cities Design Festival: Glasgow (April – August 2007)
The Six Cities Design Festival will celebrate and raise awareness of the value of design and creativity in all six of Scotland’s cities. Highlights of the Glasgow programme include: the UK premiere - and only UK showing - of Airworld at Glasgow’s Tramway (14 April – 27 May 2007). This Vitra Design Museum exhibition celebrates the design and aesthetics of consumer air travel, from its first popularisation, when flying still possessed the special aura of the extraordinary, to current times when flying is simply a way of life.

Another major highlight is The Scottish Show 07 at The Lighthouse in Glasgow - Scotland’s National Architecture and Design Centre (17 May – 12 August). The Scottish Show will create an international platform for Scottish design and feature work by many leading Glasgow designers including: Timorous Beasties, NORD, Olanic and Graphical House. Six-cities.com

• The Sudirman Cup World Team Badminton Championships (10 - 17 June)
Witness the finest player’s in badminton competing for the Sudirman Cup World Team Championships Trophy, one of the most prestigious titles in the sport. The Championships, at Scotstoun International Sports Arena, will bring approximately 1,000 athletes from 60 countries around the world. Badmintonscotland.org.uk/sudirman07

• Glasgow River Festival (14 & 15 July)
Following the enormous success of the previous three festivals, July sees the return of the festival celebrating the River Clyde. Special events will take place throughout the weekend at venues along the waterfront and on the river itself, including Glasgow Science Centre, The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. Glasgowriverfestival.co.uk

• Piping Live! (6 - 12 August)
A global celebration of the diversity of piping music will take place in Glasgow as the world's best and emerging pipers descend upon the city for the fourth year of Piping Live! the Glasgow International Piping Festival. For one week across various venues and outdoor spaces, Piping Live! will showcase the best that international piping has to offer with more than two dozen different nationalities and piping traditions being represented. Pipingfestival.co.uk

• World Pipe Band Championships (11 August)
The World Pipe Band Championships have been associated with Glasgow since 1948 and are a celebration of the very best of Scottish music, culture and dance. The event will see more than 8,000 pipers and drummers from across the globe competing at Glasgow Green for the coveted title of World Champions 2007. Seeglasgow.com/piping

• Tour of Britain – finish (15 September)
Glasgow will host the finish of the UK’s premier road race, the Tour of Britain. The tour will thunder through Glasgow’s streets as the city hosts the finishing celebrations for this high-adrenalin competition. Watch the cream of international cycling fight for the prized yellow jersey. Tourofbritain.co.uk

• Merchant City Festival (20 - 23 September)
Glasgow’s multi-arts festival celebrating the cultural richness of the city’s old commercial quarter will incorporate theatre, music, visual arts and comedy. Merchantcityfestival.com

• KYLIE: The Exhibition (21 September – 13 January 2008)
This exhibition, taking place at the stunning Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, will explore Kylie Minogue as a popular icon and international performer. Featuring costumes, accessories, photographs and awards, sound and video, the exhibition will look at Kylie's career and changing image. Kylie – The Exhibition will also give some insight into how a major international tour develops - from initial concept to first live performance. Glasgowmuseums.com

• Glasgay! (12 October – 11 November)
A fabulous month long festival with over 200 events at many venues throughout the city, celebrating all that is best in queer culture. Glasgay.com

• Whisky Live (2 - 3 November)
Whisky Live, Scotland's premier whisky tasting show, will take place this year at Glasgow’s SECC. Samplings, tutored tastings, whisky experience areas and the opportunity to buy your favourite dram are all part of this celebration of Scotland's best export. Whiskylive.com

• BBC Good Food Show Scotland (2 – 4 November)
Known as the food capital of Scotland, Glasgow is the natural choice to launch a brand new show celebrating everything that’s great about traditional Scottish fayre and local produce. This is your chance to indulge in some serious foodie retail therapy as the event brings a multitude of the UK’s finest food and drink producers to Glasgow’s SECC. BBCgoodfoodshow.com

For information on other events taking place in Glasgow: Scotland with style check out the Glasgow Diary which can be downloaded from Seeglasgow.com.