George Square will reopen to the public in stages this month as the major transformation of Glasgow city centre’s focal point reaches its final phase.
The eastern side of the square will be open from Remembrance Sunday on 8 November, when the first major event will be held in the revamped space.
Glasgow’s annual Armistice Day commemorations will follow on Wednesday 11 November, before the square becomes a centrepiece of the city’s Christmas celebrations later in the month.
The reopening comes after more than a year of major works which have changed the appearance of one of Glasgow’s best-known public spaces.
George Square has been redesigned with new granite paving, trees, landscaped areas, seating and new spaces designed for events and gatherings.
A raised lawn has been created in front of the Cenotaph, while new rain gardens and planting are being completed around the square. More than 17,000 plants will eventually feature in the new-look space.
The square’s historic bronze statues have also undergone restoration before being returned to their plinths.
Part of the western side beside Queen Street station reopened in September, giving the public the first proper look at the transformation.
Now construction hoardings are gradually disappearing from other areas as the project moves towards completion.
Glasgow City Council said the transformation was becoming “increasingly visible” as paving, landscaping and street furniture were completed.
Preparations for the new Christmas Village will start in the western civic area on 12 November, with the attraction scheduled to open on 19 November.
The eastern side of George Square will remain accessible while the festive preparations take place, although some areas will continue to be closed while finishing works are carried out.
The Christmas Village will bring food and drink and festive light installations back to George Square after the landmark was unavailable for Glasgow’s Christmas celebrations last year.
It will mark the return of the square as one of the main gathering places for the city during the festive season.
Work on the south carriageway is expected to be finished by the middle of November, allowing pedestrian access to return.
Vehicles will have to wait longer. The newly laid stone surface needs time to cure and the council currently expects traffic, including larger vehicles, to return by the middle of December.
The transformation forms part of Glasgow’s wider Avenues programme.
The £20.499 million main contract covers George Square as well as improvements to surrounding streets including St Vincent Place, West George Street, Cochrane Street, George Street and North Hanover Street.
While the square itself is now entering its final reopening phase, work on some of those surrounding streets will continue into spring 2027.
The project was originally expected to be completed earlier this year but the timetable slipped after construction teams encountered complications including underground services which had not appeared on existing plans.