Everything you need to know about this year's Yardworks Festival: who you can see, what you can do, what you can eat, and how to buy tickets.
What is Yardworks?
Since launching in 2017, Yardworks Festival has become a leading showcase of contemporary urban art, and has made itself a firm fixture on the urban art and graffiti scene, attracting artists from around the globe – and 2024 is set to be the biggest year yet, with a broader range of artists than ever before.
Murals will be created in real-time for audiences to enjoy as part of an open air art gallery, with a drink and food in hand, and there will be a range of art workshops and activities on offer throughout the weekend.
So, what can I eat?
It's not just all about the art – this year's festival will provide plenty of treats for your tastebuds, as well as your eyes, and there'll be a variety of street food on offer from some of the city’s best street vendors, including hand-stretched woodfired pizzas and salads from Nomad, fried chicken, loaded fries and award-winning churros from Loop and Scoop, and ice cream from Tony’s Ice Cream Van – meaning you'll still be able to enjoy a classic 99 in the sun (or even in the rain).
In terms of drinks, SWG3’s bars will be stocked with all your favourites, and open late on Saturday and Sunday, providing the perfect setting for a get-together with friends and family, with plenty of outdoor seating areas that are ideal for sitting down and taking in all the action.
Is it family friendly?
In one word? Yes! Yardworks is designed to be fun for all the family, regardless of age. There’s plenty on offer for art lovers of all ages to see and do at Yardworks. If you fancy yourself as a budding graffiti artist, then you can take part in the DIY graffiti canvas sessions, with different heights to suit little ones and adults alike, ensuring every budding artist can make their very own graffiti masterpiece – slots will be available for sign up on the day. Additionally, one of the festival sponsors, Heverlee, will be running screen printing classes. On top of this, there'll also be a full programme of artist-led workshops and talks held across the weekend, with a focus on female creatives.
In the TV Studio, Soundplay Projects will be in residence with cutting-edge technology, sensory materials and sound, creating a fun, interactive and fully accessible play area for primary school-aged children – although the sessions are designed to be engaging for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, including those with additional support needs. These sessions will be free but ticketed, with slots available to book through Eventbrite here.
And of course, it wouldn't be Yardworks without the OG, and best, disco for kids and parents, Mini Manoeuvres. Spanning the Warehouse and Garden Terrace, Mini Manoeuvres will once again be on hand to keep parents and children entertained throughout the weekend – however, due to popularity, tickets for both the Saturday and Sunday sessions are now sold out.
Which artists will be there?
Artists from across the globe will descend upon the Galvanizers Yard for a weekend of colour and creativity. The stellar line-up includes North Carolina-based artist JEKS, known for his dynamic and meticulous murals, German graffiti artist and illustrator Jeroo, who has recently designed a can for Montana Cans, fellow German artist Aura, and Manchester-based mural and street artist Katie Scott, who is well known for using large-scale Barbie doll paintings within her work. Also confirmed is Brazilian 3D graffiti writer Ed-Mun, who has designed this year's festival merchandise, which you'll be able to purchase and take home.
If you'd like to take a piece of artwork home to help remember this year's festival a few years down the line, there'll be an exhibition of prints available from headline artists including .EPOD, Aroe, Edmun, and Molly Hankinson, in the Yardlife Gallery. On top of this, the Galvanizers will be full of market traders, artisan makers and grassroots retailers, including Glasgow-based apparel brand From the Boondocks, and non profit fashion label The Blankfaces. There'll also be stalls from Ripe Magazines, The Woom Room, Tap End Tef, and Safe Hands Barbers, who will be cutting hair for charity, as well as many more local sellers.
Sounds good, is there anything else I need to know?
This year, the festival fun spreads further afield, as a new street furniture trail, developed as part of the Yardworks G.R.I.D. programme, will run throughout Partick, Yorkhill and Govan. Installed between April 15 to 21, the Outside The Box trail will see pieces emerging across the area, championing a diverse group of artists while aiming to make art installations more accessible using technology. Festival-goers are encouraged to explore the trail before they arrive at SWG3 or continue onwards after they leave Yardworks.
Most importantly, get down early, so that you can enjoy watching the murals being built up from a stretch of freshly painted black to a highly skilled final result. Watching the layers and details come together is one of the best things about the festival.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Saturday 4 May 11am—8pm
Sunday 5 May 11am—7pm
Adult day ticket: £7.50 (+ booking fees)
