Looking for what’s on in Glasgow in May? Love big murals, live painting, and cool street art? Mark your calendar for Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May 2025. Yardworks Festival is back at SWG3, bringing together the biggest names in graffiti, muralism, and urban art for two days of pure creativity. Whether you’re a long-time street art lover or just fancy seeing Glasgow’s streets transform with vibrant murals, this is not just one of Glasgow’s, but one of Europe’s must-visit urban art festivals.
What’s on at Yardworks Festival?
Watch massive murals come to life, live painting unfold, and creativity take over—right in front of you. Artists from across the globe will transform SWG3 into a live painting playground. You can do more than watch—jump into workshops, talks, and interactive sessions, like:
- Live mural painting: Artists from around the world creating large-scale works before your eyes.
- Workshops: Try your hand at spray painting, stencil art, and upcycling old cans into new masterpieces.
- Talks & panels: Learn about Glasgow’s street art history, graffiti culture, and the future of urban creativity.
- Interactive graffiti wall: Get involved, pick up a spray can, and leave your mark.
- World record attempt: Witness (or participate in) an ambitious attempt to break Mr. Doodle’s 203-metre doodle record.
Who will be there?
Yardworks has a serious reputation for bringing in some of the biggest names in the graffiti game. This year’s first wave of artists includes Sofles (Australia), whose viral Limitless video took the internet by storm, Bacon (Canada), a master of hyper-realistic murals, and Zurik (Colombia/Spain), known for her intricate WildStyle lettering. Also on the bill: Smug (Scotland)—aka the guy behind some of Glasgow’s most famous murals—and Jeks (USA), who crafts insane monochrome portraits. There’s more to come, but already, this lineup is very exciting.
What’s new for 2025?
Yardworks now partners with Street Art Cities, the world’s biggest street art platform. This means that Glasgow’s urban art scene is getting mapped out, with self-guided walking tours available all year round. So even after the festival ends, you’ll be able to take a DIY tour of some of the city’s best street art spots.
Is it a family-friendly event?
Yardworks is a super welcoming festival. There are plenty of drop-in workshops for kids, plus interactive elements designed to get everyone involved. If you’ve ever wanted to introduce a younger generation to the beauty of bold, boundary-pushing creativity, this is the place to do it. Street food, craft cocktails, and market stalls mean there’s plenty to snack on, sip, and take home.
Tickets and how to get involved
Interested? Here are the details:
- Adult (18+): £10 Day / £16 Weekend
- Child (5-18): £5 Day / £8 Weekend
- Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 kids over 5): £25 Day / £35 Weekend
- Under 5s: Free
Tickets are on sale now, so if you’re planning what’s on in Glasgow in May, make sure to grab them fast.
Yardworks offers volunteer opportunities, from supporting workshops to assisting artists with murals. It’s a chance to see the festival up close, meet incredible creatives, and maybe even pick up a spray can yourself.
Why Yardworks is a must-see festival in Glasgow
Yardworks Festival is one of the best events if you’re searching for things to do in Glasgow in May, whether you’re a graffiti enthusiast or just looking for something different to do. It’s a chance to see global street art icons and local pioneers side by side, soak up the city’s creative energy, and celebrate the 850-year history of Glasgow’s urban culture. Picture sipping a cocktail while a 10-metre mural appears in front of you—sounds like a pretty fun weekend to us!
Follow @yardworksglasgow and @swg3glasgow on Instagram for updates, and grab your tickets fast—this is one festival you won’t want to miss.
For more on what’s on in Glasgow, Glasgow festivals, and the best creative events happening across Scotland, check out Quine Magazine’s What’s On page. Got an event you think we should feature? Drop us a message at hello@quinemagazine.com.
