Paisley Halloween Festival 2024 shapes up to be the biggest yet

Among the crown jewels of our annual event calendar, Paisley Halloween Festival 2024 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet

Just ten short years ago, Renfrewshire wasn’t necessarily synonymous with the annual event lesser known as All Hallows Eve. However, through tireless work and the combined enthusiasm of not just the local residents but those travelling from further afield, Paisley now ranks among the UK’s hotspots for eerie entertainment.

Launched a decade ago, the Paisley Halloween Festival has continued to grow in acclaim and scale to the point that over 40,000 people descend upon the town per annum. 

Taking place over the course of Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, the free-to-attend event is going back to its roots. Longtime visitors who’ve pined for the return of the parade through the town are sure to be delighted as it is set to return for the first time since 2019, taking place on both nights.

Spark! LED drummers

The festival will also feature all of your favourites from previous years such as Spark! LED drummers alongside a whole host of brand new attractions, installations and live performances, the town centre is set to be engulfed in the cheerfully macabre and eye-catching. 

What’s more, there will now be more places to see it from than ever before, with efforts made to expand the route in order to give crowds more opportunities to enjoy the parade. Now visible from East End Park and Bridge Street as well as its traditional route, the parade is sure to be a spectacle the likes of which can only be seen in Paisley. 

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For those who want to see the procession from the best seat in the house, this year marks the introduction of special grandstand seating that will enable an unhindered view of it in its entirety. Priced from just £15 and featuring a goodie bag, the new seating allows for a great vantage point for a reasonable price. Plus, there are discounts available for groups of four and over. With tickets live from Thursday 19th September, it should be noted that numbers are limited. So, if you’d like to be there in the grandstand with your family, then we’d recommend getting a ticket from the day they go on sale. 

While the parade gets underway at 7pm on Friday and Saturday, there’s a lot more occurring at this Scottish Thistle Award winning event. 

Alongside familiar partners like Cirque Bijou and acts like Spark! LED Drummers and Pyroceltica bringing their theatrical flair to the newly unveiled stage at Bridge Street car park, there will be everything from animation, installations and a funfair on offer. Amid all of these adored acts, this year’s event will also see the debut of revered Able Mabel, whose combination of acrobatics, juggling, magic and comedy will be sure to entrance all those who encounter her. 

right2dance

Composed of ghost ships, giant puppets, tree walkers, dazzling performances from dance groups like Jennifer Scott and right2dance and engagement from more than 20 local community groups who are all pulling together to make something truly special, organisers have truly done their utmost to provide something for everyone. 

Alongside a special mask making session and other workshops taking place, there will also be a drop-in at The Art Department that will have plenty of activities for families to get involved in.

Local businesses and food traders will also be providing refreshments at Gilmour Street and High Street with marshmallow toasting at Dunn Square, while the newly opened Learning and Cultural Hub on the High Street has wasted little time in getting involved in the festivities with special story-themed activities that will keep all ages entertained. 

Complete with lighting displays at the town hall and abbey, laser projection and much more, the team behind the festival have plunged the depths of their imagination to create a visual fever dream that will mesmerise all of those who are in attendance. All the while, celebrating Halloween like only Paisley can. 

Paisley Halloween Festival 2024 will take place in the town centre on Friday 25th October, 4pm-9pm and Saturday 26th October, 2pm-9pm. The parade will start at 7pm both evenings. Find out more here.