Glasgow Green festive event was 'unbearable', residents say

A festive event that took over Glasgow Green in the run-up to Christmas has been described as "unbearable" by residents who oppose it becoming a permanent fixture.

Members of Calton Community Council said the Green had been damaged by Glasgow City Council's Winter Wonderland.

A total of 85 residents signed a petition saying they felt "disregarded" by the local authority and raising concerns about "commercial exploitation" of the green space.

A council official apologised "unreservedly for the lack of advanced communication", which she said was due to "procurement timescales".

Glasgow City Council trialled the use of Glasgow Green as part of the city's Christmas offering due to the closure of George Square, which has hosted the attractions in previous years.

There is a contract in place for Glasgow Green to be used as the venue again in 2026.

Councillors agreed further action was needed and an updated report will be brought back to the wellbeing, equalities, communities, culture and engagement city policy committee in the autumn.

One resident, Jo Shoba, said while the Winter Wonderland may return in 2026, it could not become a permanent event.

She said it had been "much worse than anticipated", with an "absolute cacophony" of noise.

She added: "We want to draw attention, not just to the lack of transparency in consultation, in the rushed process of planning this event, but that there is an aftermath of damage to the green itself.

"Large areas have been left bare and the ground will take many weeks, if not months, to recover. It all forms part of a broader picture we see of neglect of Glasgow's historic Green.

"We see lack of investment and its opposite - namely commercial exploitation for private gain."

Arthur McJimpsey, a community council member who lives beside the Green, said he realised he would sound like the Grinch, but that noise levels were unbearable until late at night.

He said some of his neighbours had gone away for weekends, or during the week if they could, to avoid the noise.

A council official said there was normally "robust community engagement" about events in the parks but on this occasion it only took place after Winter Wonderland was announced.

The official said a more robust engagement plan would be in place ahead of the 2026 edition.

Amnd she added that Glasgow Green was a designated event space which had economic benefits for the city as a whole, boosting tourism.

A council report said the park remained "fully accessible throughout its [the event's] delivery with elements of restrictions during the build and de-rig due to safety reasons".

Story by Local Democracy Reporting Service reporter Drew Sandelands.