What’s On in Scotland 2026: Live Music, Concerts & Events
Posted on Tuesday 5th May 2026 at 13:00
Written by
Will Rabjohns
What’s On in Scotland 2026: Live Music, Concerts & Events
Looking for the best live events happening across Scotland in 2026? From major arena tours and city-centre gigs to festivals and one-off shows, this guide highlights the standout experiences coming to the region, and where to catch them!
In this guide, you’ll find:
- Major concerts and tours coming to Scotland
- Standout shows and limited-date runs to book early
- Regional highlights from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Aberdeen and Inverness
- A practical FAQ to help plan your live events calendar
Main gigs & tours coming to Scotland
MCFLY
SUMMER NIGHTS ON THE SOUTHSIDE
When: Thursday 27th August 2026 (Queen's Park Recreation Ground, Glasgow)
McFly bring their feel-good pop-rock anthems to Glasgow for a huge open-air summer show with Twin Atlantic, VUKOVI and Picture The Scene.
PETE & BAS
When: Thursday 15th October 2026 (SWG3 TV Studio, Glasgow)
The viral UK rap duo bring their sharp, tongue-in-cheek lyricism and high-energy live show to Glasgow this autumn.
ALICE FAYE
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
When: Saturday 12th - Friday 18th September 2026 (Multiple Locations)
Alice Faye heads across Scotland this September, bringing intimate performances to Stirling, Irvine, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
PAPA ROACH
RISE OF THE ROACH + SPECIAL GUESTS
When: Sunday 1st November 2026 (OVO Hydro, Glasgow)
Papa Roach bring their arena-sized anthems and explosive rock show to Glasgow as part of the Rise Of The Roach tour.
DANCE GAVIN DANCE
+ AS DECEMBER FALLS + DWELLINGS
When: Tuesday 8th September 2026 (SWG3, Glasgow)
Post-hardcore favourites Dance Gavin Dance return to Scotland with a stacked bill of melodic heaviness and high-energy live performances.
JINKX MONSOON
SPEAKING OF WITCH
When: Tuesday 14th & Thursday 16th July 2026 (Usher Hall, Edinburgh & O2 Academy Glasgow)
Jinkx Monsoon brings theatrical comedy, powerhouse vocals and wickedly sharp storytelling to Edinburgh and Glasgow this summer.
LULU
LIVE
When: Friday 7th & Sunday 9th August 2026 (Music Hall, Aberdeen & Concert Hall, Perth)
One of Scotland’s most iconic voices returns for special live dates, bringing decades of hits and unmistakable stage presence.
GARBAGE
SEAT UNIQUE PRESENTS EDINBURGH CASTLE CONCERTS
When: Saturday 11th July 2026 (Edinburgh Castle)
Scottish-American band Garbage plays against the scenic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle as part of a string of UK shows.
More events & musical moments across Scotland
Beyond the headline tours, Scotland's calendar is packed with festivals, special events, comedy and grassroots shows across the region.
Belladrum 2026
JAMES, THE HUMAN LEAGUE, CALLUM BEATTIE, MIKA & LOADS MORE
When: Thursday 30th July - Saturday 1st August 2026 (Belladrum Estate, Inverness)
SIMON BRODKIN: UNLEASHED
LIVE TOUR 2026/27
When: Friday 12th & Saturday 13th February 2027 (Edinburgh Playhouse & Armadillo, Glasgow)
A League Of Their Own Live
UK ARENA TOUR 2026
When: Thursday 17th September 2026 (OVO Hydro, Glasgow)
Replay Festival 2026
BLUE, NATALIE IMBRUGLIA, B*WITCHED & MORE
When: Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th August 2026 (South Inch Park, Perth)
Copita Mezcal & Tequila Festival
When: Saturday 22nd August 2026 (Saint Luke's, Glasgow)
Big City 2026
WITH SUPER FURRY ANIMALS, SPIRITUALIZED AND MANY MORE
When: Saturday 29th August 2026 (Queen's Park Recreation Ground, Glasgow)
Summer Nights at the Bandstand
THE WOMBATS, IDLEWILD, TASH SULTANA & MORE
When: Tuesday 28th July - Thursday 13th August 2026 (Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow)
BAFTA Games in Concert
When: Thursday 4th & Friday 5th June 2026 (Usher Hall, Edinburgh & Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow)
Comedy Bang! Bang!
GROUND BEEFING TOUR 2026
When: Thursday 30th July 2026 (The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow)
Discovery Festival
THE LIBERTINES, TONY HADLEY, LEVEL 42, MARC ALMOND & LOADS MORE
When: Friday 24th - Sunday 26th July 2026 (Slessor Gardens, Dundee)
Looking for even more upcoming dates? Browse a wider selection of events across the region below.
See more events in Scotland
Live shows, tours & events
- Texas Is The Reason — Tuesday 2nd June 2026 (The Classic Grand, Glasgow)
- Dropkick Murphys — Saturday 27th June 2026 (Corn Exchange, Edinburgh)
- Bowling for Soup + Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls — Monday 29th June 2026 (O2 Academy Glasgow)
- Callum Beattie — Friday 10th July & Friday 28th August 2026 (Edinburgh Castle & Queen's Park Recreation Ground, Glasgow)
- Boys Like Girls — Wednesday 15th July 2026 (O2 Academy Glasgow)
- Suzanne Vega — Tuesday 28th July 2026 (Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow)
- Elephant Sessions — Tuesday 4th August - Friday 18th December 2026 (Multiple Locations)
- Tash Sultana — Wednesday 5th August 2026 (Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow)
- Marti Pellow — Friday 26th June & Thursday 6th August 2026 (Pitlochry Recreation Ground & Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow)
- Idlewild — Thursday 13th August 2026 (Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow)
- The Waterboys featuring Steve Earle — Saturday 29th August 2026 (OVO Hydro, Glasgow)
- Scissor Sisters — Sunday 30th August 2026 (Queen's Park Recreation Ground, Glasgow)
- Drug Church — Tuesday 8th September 2026 (Slay, Glasgow)
- Toby Lee — Thursday 17th September 2026 (Oran Mor, Glasgow)
- Tide Lines - Big Birthday Bash — Saturday 19th September 2026 (OVO Hydro, Glasgow)
- Casey — Wednesday 23rd September 2026 (Slay, Glasgow)
- Wishbone Ash — Thursday 24th September 2026 (Oran Mor, Glasgow)
- Bridge City Sinners — Sunday 4th October 2026 (Room 2, Glasgow)
- Sixpence None The Richer — Sunday 4th October 2026 (Saint Luke's, Glasgow)
- NateWantsToBattle — Monday 5th October 2026 (The Garage, Glasgow)
- Fear Factory — Wednesday 7th October 2026 (SWG3, Glasgow)
- Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds — Friday 9th & Sunday 11th October 2026 (SEC Armadillo, Glasgow & Caird Hall, Dundee)
- YONAKA — Saturday 10th October 2026 (The Garage, Glasgow)
- Huey Morgan, The Fun Lovin’ Criminal — Wednesday 14th & Thursday 15th October 2026 (La Belle Angele, Edinburgh & Saint Luke's, Glasgow)
- Black Stone Cherry — Friday 30th October 2026 (Corn Exchange, Edinburgh)
- ELO Again — Friday 23rd October 2026 (SEC Armadillo, Glasgow)
- Lake Street Dive — Sunday 25th October 2026 (Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow)
- Fat Freddy's Drop — Sunday 25th October 2026 (O2 Academy Glasgow)
- OK Go — Thursday 12th November 2026 (SWG3 TV Studio, Glasgow)
- The Dualers — Saturday 14th November 2026 (Clyde Rooms, Glasgow)
- Jamie Duffy - Flâneur — Thursday 19th & Friday 20th November 2026 (Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh & Mackintosh Queens Cross, Glasgow)
- Ocean Colour Scene — Saturday 21st - Tuesday 24th November 2026 (Multiple Locations)
- Tony Hadley — Monday 23rd & Sunday 29th November 2026 (Usher Hall, Edinburgh & Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow)
- Goldie Lookin Chain — Thursday 26th & Friday 27th November 2026 (La Belle Angele, Edinburgh & The Garage, Glasgow)
- The Lord Of The Rings - Fellowship Of The Ring - in Concert — Sunday 6th December 2026 (OVO Hydro, Glasgow)
- China Crisis — Friday 11th & Saturday 12th December 2026 (Oran Mor, Glasgow)
- The Proclaimers — Saturday 19th December 2026 (P&J Live, Aberdeen)
- The Rolling Stones Story — Friday 5th February 2027 (Usher Hall, Edinburgh)
- Charlotte Wessels - The Obsession — Saturday 6th February 2027 (Slay, Glasgow)
- The Zac Schulze Gang — Wednesday 24th & Thursday 25th February 2027 (The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh & Stereo, Glasgow)
- Steve 'n' Seagulls — Tuesday 2nd March 2027 (Oran Mor, Glasgow)
- Kim Wilde - The Singles Tour — Wednesday 17th March 2027 (Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow)
- Scott Matthews — Saturday 17th April 2027 (Saint Luke's, Glasgow)
Regional highlights — Where to go in Scotland
Glasgow
Attend arena-scale shows at OVO Hydro or mid-size shows at Royal Concert Hall, or experience the thriving grassroots scene across venues like The Garage, Saint Luke's and Òran Mór.
Edinburgh
Historic Edinburgh has venues ranging from the iconic Usher Hall to the Edinburgh Playhouse, with some major outdoor shows also taking place against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is home to the arena P&J Live for major arena events, alongside smaller venues such as Music Hall and Tunnels.
Browse events by town or city:
ABERDEEN | GLASGOW | EDINBURGH | INVERNESS | PERTH | STIRLING | DUMFRIES | DUNDEE | PAISLEY | DUNFERMLINE | BROUGHTY FERRY
Need to know — Scotland events
When do tickets usually go on sale?
Most tickets go on sale shortly after an announcement, often on Friday mornings. Popular shows can sell out quickly, especially in smaller venues.
Which venues should I keep an eye on?
OVO Hydro or P&J Live for major tours, Usher Hall and Royal Concert Hall for headline shows, and a wide range of theatres and clubs across the region.
Are there festivals in Scotland this year?
Yes, Scotland hosts a mix of city-based festivals and outdoor summer events featuring both touring and emerging artists.
Ready to explore more live events in Scotland?
Find all upcoming gigs, tours and festivals across Edinburgh, Glasgow and beyond.