The Symposium takes place at least twice a year and is held in different venues with interesting stained glass connections, for instance Dunblane Cathedral and Dunfermline Abbey. There is often a guided tour of stained glass windows; other recent Symposia have included a visit to a working studio and a visit to Edinburgh University to see important stained glass cartoons from their collection.

A major feature of each Symposium is a discussion of issues concerning stained glass. They might be current issues, like the need for relevant apprenticeships, or glass at risk from the many imminent church closures, or for instance, a student may present an appropriate thesis.