Want to take part in Refugee Festival Scotland 2025? 

This year, the festival runs from 13 to 22 June and there are so many ways to get involved in the fun. Read on to find out more:

Hold a festival event

Anyone is welcome to apply to host an event as part of Refugee Festival Scotland.

Whether you’re an individual, community group, or organisation based in Scotland, we’d love to hear from you if you’d like to get involved. Your event can take many forms – from art exhibitions, film screenings, and theater performances, to poetry readings, music and dance shows, craft workshops, community meals, sports tournaments, and family-friendly picnics.

Check out previous events for ideas and inspiration.

Event registration is now open! The deadline to submit your event is 12 noon on Friday, 25th April.

To find out how to register, please read our event guidelines.

Apply for festival funding

Small Grants are available to help communities cover the cost of running events and activities as part of Refugee Festival Scotland. 

Applications are now open! Groups and organisations can apply for up to £750. The closing date for funding applications is 12 noon on Tuesday, 25th February.

Get more information and apply for Small Grants funding here. 

Join our Small Grants evaluation panel 

All Small Grants applications will be reviewed by a panel of community volunteers. 

We are looking for five volunteers to join our Small Grants Evaluation Panel. 

This opportunity is open to refugees, people seeking asylum and members of refugee community groups living anywhere in Scotland. You must be at least 18 years old. 

The deadline for expressions of interest is 12 noon on Friday, 7th February. 

If you are interested, you can find more information and guidance on how to apply here.   

Opportunity for Artists from Refugee Backgrounds

Artists from refugee backgrounds are invited to apply to Arts Open.

Arts Open will support three artists from refugee and migrant backgrounds to showcase their work in Scotland for the first time during this year’s festival.

This opportunity is open to artists in all disciplines. The application deadline for Arts Open is 12 noon on Tuesday, 25th February.

For full details and to apply, visit here.

A Festival for Everyone

Refugee Festival Scotland is a national celebration of arts, culture, and diversity.

Each summer you can expect a vibrant programme of events that celebrate the creativity, food, music, language, and ideas brought by those who seek sanctuary in Scotland.

Refugee Festival Scotland 2025 will be a special anniversary year, marking 25 years of the festival. The theme for this year is MILESTONES—read more about the inspiration behind this theme here.

We hope you will join us from 13 to 22 June as we come together in celebration of creativity, welcome and solidarity.