Halloween-fever is set to take over Paisley for this year’s event!
Local organisations and businesses have spine-chilling activities across town in the days before, during and after the festival.
From 11th – 31 October
Paisley First’s Pumpkin Halloween Trail
Download the Pumpkin Trail leaflet
Twelve brick pumpkins will be lighting up Paisley’s town centre businesses this October. Can you unearth all the frightful pumpkins and complete the trail?
Wednesday 23 October
ReMode Make & Mend: Spooky Printing Special
4pm-6pm
Book a place online
Free workshop for 11 – 25-year-olds. Printing materials and patches will be provided but you can also bring along your own garment to add a spooky print to!
Thursday 24 October
Sma’ Shot Cottages’ Immersive Halloween Experience
Thursday 24 October – Thursday 31 October
Book a place online
Step into the shadows of Paisley’s eerie past as you explore 18th century weaver’s cottages by flickering lantern light. Costumed guides and immersive storytelling promise a heart-pounding experience, with slots available to book from 24 – 31 October.
Friday 25 October
Halloween Fun & Crafts at Paisley Central Library
Head along for spooky Bookbug and storytelling sessions and drop-in Halloween crafts.
Find out more about the activities on offer at the library.
Paisley Witches on Bikes
The Refractive Collective present ‘Paisley Witches on Bike’ a 15-minute piece of interactive street theatre that explores the harrowing story of the Bargarran witches.
Performances will take place at 4.30pm and 6pm; visit the Refractive Collective for more information.
Family Fright Night
12noon-1am
Find out more about Shuttle
Spooky, scary fun featuring live music, prizes for best costumes, Halloween photo ops and lots more.
Halloween Nights at Two Towns Down Brewing Limited
5pm – 11pm
Enjoy Halloween-themed beer and party games. Fancy dress is optional, but there will be a prize for best-dressed! Takes place 5pm – 11pm at Two Towns Down taproom.
Live Music with Cameron Mcilwham at The Keg
9pm
The Keg presents an evening of live music with performances from local musicians. Find out more on The Keg website.
Saturday 26 October
Ayrshire Farmer’s Market
10am-2pm
Fresh produce and local stallholders will set up at the Cenotaph.
Halloween Artisan and Craft Market
10am-4pm
Find out more about Brown’s Lane Market.
Stop by Brown’s Lane for artisan makers showcasing their one-of-a-kind products. The market will be open 10am – 4pm.
The Witch & the Snitch
11am-3pm
Book tickets online.
A dramatic reading of author J.L Givens new book of the same title. Performances will take place every 30 minutes from 11am – 3pm.
Family Fright Night
12noon-1am
Find out more about Shuttle
Spooky, scary fun featuring live music, prizes for best costumes, Halloween photo ops and lots more.
Free Halloween facepainting
12noon – 4pm
Available in the Piazza shopping centre.
What If Paisley presents Spooky Stress Busters, Lotions & Potions
1pm-3pm
Book a space online
Conjure stress-busting spells and mix your own magical potion using essential oils. Workshop places cost £10 for adults, £5 for children.
ReMode Leaf Monster Mask Making
2pm – 5pm
Book a place online.
Textile waste and climate change are terrifying! Nature is angry and it’s coming to Paisley in the shape of a scary leaf monster. Take part in this free workshop and see what kind of monster you can create.
Halloween Nights at Two Towns Down Brewing Limited
2pm – 11pm
Enjoy Halloween-themed beer and party games. Fancy dress is optional, but there will be a prize for best-dressed! Takes place 2pm – 11pm at Two Towns Down taproom.
Halloween workshops at The Art Department
2.30pm – 6.30pm
Book a place online.
Outspoken Arts present free workshops for kids and families as part of the Paisley Halloween Festival activities. Activities will be available from 2.30pm – 6.30pm and include free spooky snacks.
Halloween Fun & Crafts at Paisley Central Library
Head along for spooky Bookbug and storytelling sessions and drop-in Halloween crafts. For comic-fans, the library will also host a Manga workshop for ages 10+. Find out more about the activities on offer at the library.
Paisley Witches on Bikes
4.30pm and 6pm
The Refractive Collective present ‘Paisley Witches on Bike’ a 15-minute piece of interactive street theatre that explores the story of the Bargarran witches. Performances will take place at 4.30pm and 6pm; visit the Refractive Collective for more information.
Spooky Circus Cabaret at Community Circus Paisley
5pm
Book tickets online.
A frightening but family-friendly array of circus acts by staff, students and special guests at Community Circus HQ in Ferguslie. Activities start at 5pm.
Halloween Party at The Cave
5pm-11pm
Find out more about The Cave.
Catch Cherry Red (5pm) and Wreckless (8pm) at this Halloween Party night. Prizes for best costume!
Live Music with the Citadels at The Keg
9pm
The Keg presents an evening of live music with performances from local musicians. Find out more on The Keg website.
Sunday 27 October
Nightmare on Smithhills St at The Old Swan
4pm – 8pm
Find out more about The Old Swan pub.
The Old Swan pub presents a weekend of live music, fancy dress and free Halloween fun and games. Festivities will take place 4pm – 8pm on Sunday.
Monday 28 October
Little Monsters/Monsters Ball at Adventure Planet Paisley
10.30am and 4.30pm
Visit Adventure Planet for more information and to book tickets.
Enjoy two fantastic Monster’s Ball inspired events at Paisley’s newest soft play centre. Little Monsters can attend 10.30am – 2pm, with bigger Monsters invited 4.30pm – 7pm.
Thursday 31 October
Feel Good Halloween Parade, Lochwinnoch (start point Auld Simon)
A celebration of amazing creative skills including visual arts, music and dance from 5.30pm-6pm. Get involved by joining free workshops to make large-scale feature lanterns with community artists Jane McInally and Lesley Downie.
Book a workshop space online.
Businesses staying open late for Paisley Halloween Festival
This year we have a number of local businesses who have extended their opening hours while the Festival takes place on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October.
- The Keg will be offering kids’ specials from 12noon on Friday and Saturday. Find The Keg at 15b Gilmour Street, next to County Square.
- Tastebuds café will be open until 6pm each night offering Halloween-themed Afternoon Teas and tasty treats. Find them at 22 Lawn Street.
- Paisley Pie Co will be offering hearty pastry snacks until late both nights – located at 25 Causeyside Street.
- Cloud 9 Deli will be open until 9pm both nights serving hot and cold snacks. Find them at 9 Gauze Street.
- The Piazza shopping centre will be open until 9pm on both nights.
- Rainbow Turtle will be open late both nights selling fair trade gifts, toys and more. Find them at 7 Gauze Street.
Don’t forget, Paisley is home to a wealth of restaurants, cafes and shops. Help support local business by spending local at this year’s festival. Paisley First’s Illustrated Food & Drink map is a helpful tool for finding great places to eat in the town centre too.
