The story
GlasGLOW was created and is written each year, by Oli Norman, founder of Glasgow based itison and local westend dad of three.
Oli had the idea for GlasGLOW back in 2010, taking inspiration from major light shows taking place in Botanical Gardens around the world and in 2018, the first GlasGLOW took place attracting over 80,000 people and selling out within days.
Our goal for GlasGLOW is to spread joy and light up the city up during the dark months, boost the local economy at a traditionally quiet period of the year and give back to good causes in the local area through The itison Pumpkin Fund which we launched in 2019.
Now coming into its seventh year, GlasGLOW sells out year on year, attracts tens of thousands to the Botanic Gardens and is loved by locals and visitors alike.
Every year, a new story unfolds, offering an unforgettable journey of escapism and magic for all ages.
With each GlasGLOW comes good
Based in Glasgow’s beautiful Botanic Gardens, the show takes place after hours once the gardens are closed, minimising impact on the local community.
The goal of each GlasGLOW is to bring ever increasing good. Since launching over 7,000 tickets have been donated to local organisations, charities and hospitals.
The itison Pumpkin Fund, created in 2019, has donated a mini-bus to Ruchill LCR, funded a new sensory GLOW room for Eastpark School in Maryhill in addition to contributing towards capital projects to improve facilities at Love Milton and Hillhead Secondary – most recently helping Hillhead fund a new mini-bus.
GlasGLOW, as with all activities, has an impact on the environment - we have published our sustainability and biodiversity plan aimed to minimise our impact.
Since 2021 the show has been powered by HVO with a commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible. We work with independent experts in sustainability and biodiversity to help guide us with best practise and are committed to delivering GlasGLOW in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
GlasGLOW delivers a multi-million pound impact on the local economy creating 150 predominately local jobs, providing significant fees to the gardens and pays for remedial works required to the gardens (typically small patches of grass needing returfed).
This year's show credits
GlasGLOW was never designed to be ‘just another light show’ but one uniquely Glaswegian and brought to life each year by an exceptional team of creative and production talents.
Each year starts with a list of areas to improve and invest in, but most importantly an entirely new story.
- Writer / Director
- Oli Norman
- Operations director
- Nicola Wilkinson
- Producers
- Amy Dolan & Naomi Hoolahan
- Lighting designer
- Grant Anderson
- Set designer
- Claire Halleran
- Sound designer
- Kevin Murray
- Video director
- Richi Craib
- Graphic designer
- Lindsay Robertson & Arryn Ross
- Digital designer
- Sergio Castillo & Nik Kampitsis
- Production manager
- Grahame Coyle
- Marketing & PR leads
- Megan McGill, Hannah Houston & Toni Lally
Want to know more or join the team? Drop us a line at glasglow@itison.com