People's Palace

22/01/2026

The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens first opened the doors to visitors on this day in 1898. 🎉

This wonderful image of a group of staff is thought to date from 1908, possibly taken to mark the 10th anniversary.

03/12/2025

The Our People’s Palace touring display has reached its final stop at Glasgow City Chambers!

Open until 15 December, this co-curated exhibition with Glasgow Life Museums and community partners is part of Glasgow 850.

Catch it before it closes!

Find out more ⤵️

https://www.glasgow850.com/article/10101/People-s-Palace-Pop-Up

04/11/2025

We were saddened to hear about the recent passing of Dr Elspeth King.

As curator of social history at the People’s Palace for 16 years from 1974, one of Elspeth’s early achievements was bringing Billy Connolly’s banana boots into the collection in 1975 – a controversial decision at the time, the boots have become one of the best-loved objects in the People’s Palace collection.

A dedicated supporter of the museum and a highly respected advocate for preserving Glasgow’s social history, Elspeth’s dedication and passion for her work was unwavering and her contributions have made a lasting impact. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Elspeth’s family and friends during this difficult time.

📷 Dr Elspeth King circa 1977 outside the People's Palace with a sign in the shape of a giant key, which had come from a shop on the nearby Gallowgate ©️ CSG CIC Glasgow Life Museums and Collection.

25/08/2025

🍌What a brilliant day at the St. Enoch Centre

We loved chatting with you all about the People’s Palace and seeing so many smiling faces.

Highlights included:

📸 Selfies with Billy Connolly’s famous banana boots
🎨 Banana-inspired crafts for all ages
👀 Learning more about the future of the People’s Palace from the project team

A special shout out to our youngest visitor, Romy, who came along with her mum to see the banana boots. 🍌👢

Keep your eyes peeled for Our People's Palace, a community led display touring venues around the city until December.

More info ➡️ https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/2/our-peoples-palace

The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland

08/08/2025

We're going bananas over this 🍌🍌 Can't wait to bring those famous boots to St Enoch Centre on 25 August as part of Glasgow's 850 celebrations 🥳 See you there!

🍌 The Big Yin is comin’ tae St. Enoch Centre (well… sort of)

On Monday 25th August, we’ll have Billy Connolly’s famous banana boots on display – for one day only! You’ll be able to...

📸 Snap a selfie with the boots
🧠 Learn the story of Billy’s Big Banana Feet from The People's Palace curators
🎨 Get crafty with banana-boot arts & crafts for the Wee Yins
🗣 Share your ideas for the future of The People’s Palace

This is part of People’s Palace on Tour, bringing Glasgow’s history into the city while the museum is being refurbished, and it will be your only chance to see the boots up close until the People’s Palace reopens in a few years! 😱

🗓 Mon 25th Aug
🕚 11am – 2pm
📍 Ground floor, outside Boots (fitting, eh?)

This is part of the People’s Palace touring display, which gives you the chance to see over 40 objects from the People’s Palace.

05/08/2025

🍌 Billy Connolly’s Banana Boots – One-day pop-up at St Enoch Centre
📅 Monday 25 August
📍 St Enoch Centre
🕙 11am – 2pm
🎟️ FREE event – drop in, no booking required!

Get ready for a fun-filled day at the St Enoch Centre as Billy Connolly’s legendary banana boots make a rare appearance – for one day only!

📸 Snap a selfie with the boots that were made famous by the Big Yin himself and learn about their story from expert curators and conservators from The People’s Palace, who will be on-site to share fascinating insights into the history of this iconic piece of Glasgow culture.

🎨There's crafty banana fun for the Wee Yins! Kids can join in the fun with banana-boot-themed arts and crafts! Cut, design, and create your own silly legs and banana boots – all materials provided, all free.

🏛️ Have Your Say – Shape the future of the People’s Palace.
The People’s Palace team will also be running a public consultation about the museum’s exciting refurbishment. Come along and tell us what you want to see when the doors reopen. It’s your city, your museum – and we want your ideas!

🟡 Join us for a day full of fun, history, and community collaboration.

Find out more ⤵️

https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/3/billy-connollys-banana-boots-one-day-pop-up-at-st-enoch-centre

Part of Glasgow 850 celebrations.

24/07/2025

We are excited to be part of the PEEK PLAY DAY 2025! 🎉

The People’s Palace team will be there all day bringing the fun with:

🎨 Arts & crafts
🏃‍♂️ Traditional playground games
🖐️ Hands-on exploration of museum objects

💬 Chat with our team about our BIG refurbishment and find out how you can get involved! But that’s not all… 👀

✨ Face painting
🕺 Silent disco
🏎️ Go-kart station
🥘 FREE food

📍 Crownpoint Sports Complex 183 Crownpoint Road, G40 2AL
📅 Wednesday 30 July 2025
🕛 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
👉 FREE - Register now ⤵️

https://www.peek.scot/news/were-celebrating-25-years-of-play-at-peek-play-day-2025

Glasgow Life Families

11/07/2025

People's Palace and Glasgow 850 on Tour!

While the People's Palace is closed for refurbishment, two amazing displays are touring the city!

📸 Capturing the Moment – A photography exhibition showing historic and modern Glasgow through the eyes of Shawlands Academy students.
🏙️ Our People's Palace – Unique objects co-curated with East End community group The Pipe Factory, telling the story of our city.

📍 Find out where they’re heading next and celebrate Glasgow’s past and present! ⤵️

https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/peoples-palace/whats-on/glasgow-850-and-the-peoples-palace-touring-displays