GLASGOW is home to many festivals and gala days with the summer months providing a range of celebrations throughout the city.

The Merchant City Festival, on until Sunday, has grown to become one of the city’s most anticipated cultural events of the year.

The streets and courtyards of the eastern side of the city centre are a perfect location for an outdoor festival as we saw during the Commonwealth Games last year.

The Merchant City is home to some of Glasgow’s most historic and architecturally important buildings which provide a wonderful backdrop for the festival.

The opening weekend proved spectacular and gave citizens and visitors a taste of what’s to come for the rest of the week.

The festival offers a diverse range of culture over the nine-day period.

As well as the spectacle and enjoyment, the festival brings with it an economic boost for the city with visitors booking hotels and spending money in bars, restaurants and shops helping keep people in jobs.

Last year the Merchant City took a central role in the Commonwealth Games Festival and helped give people the lasting impression of Glasgow as a modern fun, lively and friendly city.

Hopefully many will be returning this year and, if so, we know they will have a great time and get the same warm welcome.