About Us
The Glasgow Festival of Burlesque (GFoB) was founded in 2014 and first took to the stage in 2015 at The Riding Room and The Polo Lounge, shining a spotlight on some of the finest burlesque talent from Glasgow — and a fair few sparkling stars from much, much further afield.
Since then, the festival has grown into a cornerstone of Scotland’s cabaret scene, celebrating creativity, confidence, and community through world-class live performance — all with that unmistakable touch of Glasgow charm.
In 2019, we made history at the legendary Barrowlands Ballroom, producing the first burlesque show ever to grace its stage. And when the world paused in 2020, we didn’t let Covid-19 stop us — instead, we went fully digital, hosting a seven-day virtual festival that kept the glitter alive online and across the globe.
The following year, in 2021, we were honoured to be featured in the Virtual Burlesque Hall of Fame — the first and only Scottish show to achieve that recognition to date.
We’ve performed in every corner of Scotland (and a few beyond!) — from Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival to Edinburgh Fringe, where we proudly produce the Viva GlasVegas Burlesque Showcase. Whether on a festival field, a grand stage, or the back of a lorry (aye, really — during lockdown), we bring our own brand of homegrown Glaswegian glamour wherever we go.
And in 2024, we took things truly global — bringing our signature Scottish sparkle to Australia, where our team and performers showcased the heart, humour, and heritage of Glasgow’s burlesque scene to audiences Down Under.
A Decade of Sparkle
In 2025, we proudly celebrated ten years of the Glasgow Festival of Burlesque — a whole decade of glitter, graft, and pure gallus energy.
We kicked off the celebrations in true Scottish style with a ceilidh band that got the crowd reelin’ and squealin’, before diving into a weekend packed with unforgettable performances. It was a beautiful full-circle moment as we welcomed back Missy Malone, one of our earliest headliners, alongside Daiquiri Dusk and the legendary Goodtime Mama JoJo— three powerhouses who embodied everything we love about burlesque.
Our milestone show wasn’t just a party — it was a love letter to the history of burlesque itself. The line-up spanned generations, honouring the roots of the art form while celebrating its thriving future right here in Glasgow.
Just recently, we were pure chuffed to welcome Judith Stein — “The Grand Beaver of Burlesque” — all the way from Canada, with a wee helping hand from our friends over at Highway to Hull.
Bringing burlesque legends to Scotland isn’t just about dazzling our audiences — it’s about honouring the trailblazerswho paved the way. Supporting icons keeps the heart of this art form beating strong, connecting today’s stars with the pioneers whose humour, grit, and glamour made burlesque what it is today.
Raving Reviews & Audience Love
“A brilliant show with skilled and talented dancers and so much laughter!” – Fringefeed
“Sexy and cheeky and everything you'd expect… Great performances… Strong Scottish flavour.” – ★★★★★ Review
What We Stand For
At the Glasgow Festival of Burlesque, we celebrate artistry, inclusivity, and community — all with that signature Glasgow attitude.
There’s nae room at our shows for racism, homophobia, sexism, misogyny, body shaming, or ageism.
We’re proud to create safe, welcoming spaces where everyone can join in the fun — no matter who they are or how they shine.
And, to put it the Glaswegian way:
“No refunds for being an ar*ehole.” 💋
The Glasgow Festival of Burlesque (GFoB) was founded in 2014 and first took to the stage in 2015 at The Riding Room and The Polo Lounge, shining a spotlight on some of the finest burlesque talent from Glasgow — and a fair few sparkling stars from much, much further afield.
Since then, the festival has grown into a cornerstone of Scotland’s cabaret scene, celebrating creativity, confidence, and community through world-class live performance — all with that unmistakable touch of Glasgow charm.
In 2019, we made history at the legendary Barrowlands Ballroom, producing the first burlesque show ever to grace its stage. And when the world paused in 2020, we didn’t let Covid-19 stop us — instead, we went fully digital, hosting a seven-day virtual festival that kept the glitter alive online and across the globe.
The following year, in 2021, we were honoured to be featured in the Virtual Burlesque Hall of Fame — the first and only Scottish show to achieve that recognition to date.
We’ve performed in every corner of Scotland (and a few beyond!) — from Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival to Edinburgh Fringe, where we proudly produce the Viva GlasVegas Burlesque Showcase. Whether on a festival field, a grand stage, or the back of a lorry (aye, really — during lockdown), we bring our own brand of homegrown Glaswegian glamour wherever we go.
And in 2024, we took things truly global — bringing our signature Scottish sparkle to Australia, where our team and performers showcased the heart, humour, and heritage of Glasgow’s burlesque scene to audiences Down Under.
A Decade of Sparkle
In 2025, we proudly celebrated ten years of the Glasgow Festival of Burlesque — a whole decade of glitter, graft, and pure gallus energy.
We kicked off the celebrations in true Scottish style with a ceilidh band that got the crowd reelin’ and squealin’, before diving into a weekend packed with unforgettable performances. It was a beautiful full-circle moment as we welcomed back Missy Malone, one of our earliest headliners, alongside Daiquiri Dusk and the legendary Goodtime Mama JoJo— three powerhouses who embodied everything we love about burlesque.
Our milestone show wasn’t just a party — it was a love letter to the history of burlesque itself. The line-up spanned generations, honouring the roots of the art form while celebrating its thriving future right here in Glasgow.
Just recently, we were pure chuffed to welcome Judith Stein — “The Grand Beaver of Burlesque” — all the way from Canada, with a wee helping hand from our friends over at Highway to Hull.
Bringing burlesque legends to Scotland isn’t just about dazzling our audiences — it’s about honouring the trailblazerswho paved the way. Supporting icons keeps the heart of this art form beating strong, connecting today’s stars with the pioneers whose humour, grit, and glamour made burlesque what it is today.
Raving Reviews & Audience Love
“A brilliant show with skilled and talented dancers and so much laughter!” – Fringefeed
“Sexy and cheeky and everything you'd expect… Great performances… Strong Scottish flavour.” – ★★★★★ Review
What We Stand For
At the Glasgow Festival of Burlesque, we celebrate artistry, inclusivity, and community — all with that signature Glasgow attitude.
There’s nae room at our shows for racism, homophobia, sexism, misogyny, body shaming, or ageism.
We’re proud to create safe, welcoming spaces where everyone can join in the fun — no matter who they are or how they shine.
And, to put it the Glaswegian way:
“No refunds for being an ar*ehole.” 💋
