Pollok House reopens temporarily for Sonica Glasgow 2026
Glasgow’s historic Pollok House is opening its doors for a rare, limited-time event as part of Sonica Glasgow 2026.
The magnificent 18th-century mansion, which has been closed to the public since 2023 while major refurbishment work takes place, will become The Listening House from Thursday 24th September until Sunday 4th October 2026.
Mark went along to check out the press preview.
Described as a “festival within a festival”, The Listening House will fill Pollok House with experimental music, sound, moving image and live performance. It offers visitors an unusual opportunity to explore the building before its eventual reopening as a visitor attraction.
What is The Listening House at Pollok House?
For 11 days, artists from Scotland and around the world will transform three storeys of Pollok House. Its rooms, corridors, gardens and tucked-away corners will become settings for contemporary installations and performances.
The programme has been created to encourage new encounters between audiovisual art and one of Glasgow’s most remarkable historic buildings. Rather than simply acting as a backdrop, the mansion and its surroundings will become part of the experience.
Pollok House remains closed to general visitors while renovation work continues and plans are developed for its future operation. The Listening House is therefore a one-off opportunity to step inside during this period of closure.
Sonica Glasgow 2026
Produced by Cryptic, Sonica Glasgow is Scotland’s leading biennial festival of audiovisual art and experimental music.
The 2026 festival runs from Thursday 24 September to Sunday 4 October and brings together more than 170 artists from 22 countries. This year’s programme has a particular focus on artists exploring electronic composition, immersive sound and live performance.
Events will take place at venues across Glasgow, including:
– Pollok House
– Buchanan Galleries
– Glasgow Film Theatre
– The Glad Café
– The Hidden Gardens
– The Hunterian Art Gallery
– The Rum Shack
– The Glasgow School of Art
– Govanhill Baths
– Rutherglen Old Parish Church
– Tramway, Sonica’s main presentation partner
Pollok House Sonica 2026 visitor information
Where: Pollok House, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow
When: Thursday 24 September to Sunday 4 October 2026
Tickets: The programme includes free and ticketed events
Programme and booking: View The Listening House events
Full festival programme: Visit the Sonica Glasgow website
Individual opening times and admission arrangements vary, so check the listing for your chosen event before travelling.
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