Paisley's Halloween Festival returns this weekend as it celebrates 10th anniversary

Paisley Halloween Festival is back
-Credit: (Image: Kirsty Anderson)


As Halloween fast approaches, one town near Glasgow is going all out to celebrate the spookiest time of the year.

Paisley Halloween Festival is back and is packed with family friendly events to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the event. Taking place Saturday (October 26), there will be thrills, scary shows, daring performances and plenty to see and do.

The town centre has already been transformed as thousands are set to attend the day of fun which includes a 300-strong parade made up of professional performers and community groups which will pass through Mill street for the first time. Other changes for this year include the funfair being relocated to the Lagoon Car Park and East End Park.

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Organisers Renfrewshire Council say the event is set to be bigger than ever and are encouraging families and adults alike to pull on their outfits and join in with the fun. The event is on from 2-9pm with the parade expected to start at around 7pm.

Entertainment, including live performances, is due to start at 2pm with Kara Ferguson. Arts and crafts sessions are being held at Paisley Central Library and The Art Department inside the Paisley Centre.

Thousands are set to attend Paisley Halloween Festival’s 10th anniversary event
Thousands are set to attend Paisley Halloween Festival’s 10th anniversary event -Credit:Kirsty Anderson

There will also be a selection of street food options and 'marshmallow pits'.

A description of the event reads: "We’ll be lighting up some of Paisley’s best-known buildings in striking Halloween-style; including the Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub—soon to be a mystery manga bat cave—Paisley Abbey and the front and rear of Paisley Town Hall. Beware of creepy crawlies and ghostly figures.

The event is packed with activities
The event is packed with activities -Credit:Kirsty Anderson

"And it wouldn’t be Halloween without surprise installations dotted all around town. See the Flaming Gargoyle on Cotton Street, the Ghost Ship and Giant Witch in County Square and the Giant Spider puppet, Bubbling Cauldron and Wonder Glass in East End Park. "

Full programme information is available here

What events will there be?

County Square street performances

Saturday 26 October

  • 2pm-2.30pm: Kara Ferguson

  • 2.30pm-3pm: Erin Hephzibah + Megabeast Treemendous

  • 3pm-3.15pm: Fèis Phàislig Gaelic Choir + Beetlejuice Stilt walkers

  • 3.15pm-3.45pm: Paisley Rock Choir

  • 3.45pm-4.15pm: Bubble Blowing Witches

  • 4.15pm-4.45pm: Able Mabel + Handmade Parade’s Giant Wolf & Ram

  • 4.45pm-5pm: LED Umbrella Dance by right2dance

  • 5pm-5.10pm: Cowboy Zombies Dance by Jennifer Scott Dance

  • 5.10pm-5.30pm: PyroCeltica Fire Show

Saturday 26 October

  • 4pm-4.30pm: Spark! LED Drummers

  • 4.30pm-5pm: Soundsystem Project

  • 5pm-5.30pm: Bloco Winnoch

  • 5.30pm-6pm: RockUs Choir

  • 6pm-6.30pm: Able Mabel

  • 6.30pm: MC Jed McCabe leads the parade build-up

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