02.06.2026
This year’s Comet Festival in Port Glasgow is set to be extra special with the official unveiling of the replacement replica which inspired its name.
The most recent Comet replica in the town centre was built in the 1960s but was dismantled in 2023 after it was deemed beyond repair by experts commissioned by the council.
A new model of Henry Bell’s famous Port-built paddle steamer has been built by Sheffield-based specialist manufacturer, Aivaf Ltd, on behalf of Inverclyde Council, and will be installed at the site of the previous replica on Argyll Way in the coming weeks.
On the day of this year’s Comet Festival – Saturday 20 June – Provost Drew McKenzie will officially unveil the replica of the historic vessel before the festival starts in Coronation Park.
He said: “The Comet Festival has been on the go since the 1980s and is always a great day for Port Glasgow.
“It’s a day for the community to come together by taking part in the parade, local dance troupes performing on stage, browsing the community stalls or enjoying the range of fun activities across Coronation Park.
“The icing on the cake this year will be the replacement replica of the Comet being in place in the town. It’s an important symbol for Port Glasgow – and inspired the name for the festival – and I know everyone will be delighted to see it back in place.”
The Comet Festival will begin with a World Cup-themed parade leaving Shore Street at 11.30am followed by the unveiling ceremony at the Comet replica at Argyll Way. The parade will then continue through Port Glasgow town centre and finish outside the town’s library before the crowds head into Coronation Park.
Provost McKenzie will officially open the Comet Festival at approximately 12noon.
In Coronation Park, families can enjoy all the usual festival fun including a funfair, community stalls, a selection of delicious food and drink and a stage with live bands and performances from local dance troupes.
Beacon Arts Centre will offer come-and-try circus skills while local boys and girls will take part in a popular football tournament at the park before the festival.
Nautical Youth Trust will also be running their popular boat trips on the River Clyde.
As part of this this year’s Comet Festival we have some special written and spoken word programming including FREE writer-led creative writing workshops:
13.00 — 14.30 ‘The River and Comet’ Linda Jackson
Linda Jackson is a published writer has taught creative writing for over 30 years, is the founding editor of Seahorse Publications, and worked as a musician most of her life.
15.30 — 17.00 ‘Port Glasgow — For Better or Worse’ Finola Scott
Finola writes to capture places and people. With 4 pamphlets, her prize winning poems are widely published. She performs regularly from in the Parliament to the Glasgow underground.
All Day Sci-Fi Ken MacLeod, writing advice and readings
Ken is a Scottish science fiction writer. His novels The Sky Road and The Night Sessions won the BSFA Award. MacLeod’s novels have been nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke, Hugo, Nebula, awards for best novel on multiple occasions. In 2024 MacLeod was one of the Guests of Honour at the 82nd World Science Fiction Convention in Glasgow.
Register via email now to secure a spot at [email protected]
The Comet Festival is on from 12pm till 6pm and is free to attend.
