Yardworks Festival, the internationally-renowned festival of urban art, will return this year, to take over the SWG3 Galvanizers Yard on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May 2025.
Now in it's 7th year, the festival will transform the venue into a vibrant hub of large-scale murals, live painting and artwork spanning walls and stacked shipping containers alongside a dedicated programme of free workshops and talks celebrating Glasgow 850 – exploring the city's rich history of graffiti, street art, and hip-hop culture.
Alongside exhibitions and an atmosphere buzzing with creativity, Yardworks has become a key fixture in the global street art calendar, bringing together some of the most exciting names in graffiti, muralism, and urban art. Featuring internationally renowned artists, emerging talent, and local pioneers, the festival offers a weekend of inspiration, collaboration, and community like no other.
This year's edition will welcome an internationally acclaimed selection of artists, each bringing their own distinctive style to Glasgow. Amongst this year's line up is Sofles (Australia) known for his intricate large-scale murals and viral videos Limitless and Infinite, Bacon (Canada) who creates hyper-realistic murals featuring detailed animals and natural elements, showcasing a masterclass in aerosol techniques, Zurik (Colombia/Spain) who is celebrated for her WildStyle-inspired graffiti, blending intricate lettering with bold 3D effects, Nuno Viegas (Portugal) who merges graffiti culture with fine art, known for his photorealistic depictions of masked figures and draped fabrics.
Also joining the lineup is Jeks (USA), a self-taught muralist recognised for his hyper-realistic monochrome and full-colour portraits, Kitsune (Belgium) who brings an emotionally driven style to the festival, incorporating mythology, folklore, and nature into her vibrant murals. Peachzz (UK) who creates large-scale works that blend organic textures with bold urban aesthetics, inspired by abandoned industrial spaces, and Smug (Australia/Scotland), one of Scotland’s most esteemed muralists, has transformed Glasgow’s streets with hyper-realistic works such as Saint Mungo and The Swimmer.
After taking a break in 2024, Mia McGregor returns with The Cube, inviting festival-goers to explore an ever-evolving, multi-dimensional graffiti installation. Visitors of all ages will have the chance to leave their mark on an interactive graffiti wall, while those looking to push their creative limits can take part in an ambitious world record attempt, aiming to break Mr. Doodle’s 203-metre doodle record.
2025 also marks the beginning of an exciting new development, where Yardworks will now become part of the world’s largest street art platform, Street Art Cities. This partnership will see a dedicated Yardworks site launched, mapping all of its public artworks and creating street art walking routes through Glasgow, giving visitors the chance to experience the city's vibrant urban art scene year-round. This collaboration firmly places Yardworks—and Glasgow—on the international street art map.
Every year, Yardworks brings together an incredible mix of artists, from pioneers of the graffiti scene to fresh new talent pushing the artform forward. This year’s festival is shaping up to be one of our most exciting yet, with an expanded artist lineup and new workshops that celebrate not just graffiti and street art, but the wider creative culture that surrounds it. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to SWG3 and see these incredible artists bring the venue to life once again.Gary Mackay aka Gaz Mac. SWG3 Studio Director and Yardworks Co-Founder.
As always Yardworks Festival is a family-friendly event, with drop-in workshops and exhibits free to access, alongside ticketed festival entry. Dogs are welcome too. Tickets go on sale on Friday 21 February 2025.
