It’s going to be all fright on the night
Halloween Festival is back again
Paisley’s third annual Halloween Festival will be the most spooktacular yet.
The town will be hauntingly transformed for the two-day ghoulish extravaganza and there is a full programme of events planned.
The ghostly goings-on are part of the push towards Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021, and a unique and popular event in the town’s calendar with lots of fun activities throughout the town offering something for families as well as those looking for a good night out.
The event, which is taking place on October 27 and 28, gets into full swing on the Friday night with the Halloween Ball taking place at Paisley Town Hall.
Revellers can don their ghastliest costumes and enjoy a night of music, and ghoulish ghosts.
Also on the Friday night, budding sleuths can head along to Zambretto Italian restaurant for its murder mystery night where they can solve a crime while they enjoy a delicious three-course meal.
There’s also plenty of fun for the kids at Paisley Museum’s Friday Fright Night.
Kids can have a go at devilish arts and crafts, follow the spooky museum train to win a prize, or enter the fancy dress competition.
Halloween will take over the town on the Saturday as Paisley Town Hall transforms into Spook Central with a whole host of free fun activities for all the family including Halloween arts and crafts, mascot meet-and-greets, facepainting, a Halloween market, and zombie apocalypse workshops.
The Village Storytelling Centre will regale visitors with gruesome tales from Paisley’s past at Paisley Abbey where there will also be pumpkin carving workshops.
Those who love a good scare can head along to the Brown’s Lane Cinema Yurt on both Friday and Saturday to watch some spooky films for all to enjoy, including Ghostbusters, Halloween and The Lost Boys.
Saturday’s activities lead up to the spectacular Halloween Parade which is always a festival highlight.
The parade will head off from New Street onto Causeyside Street at 6.30pm and will include a fire monster on a Paisley Chariot, the Spark! Drummers, LED lanterns, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners Band and lots more colourful participants.
Once the parade arrives at its final destination at Abbey Close, Walk the Plank’s spectacular fire garden installations, soundscapes, projections and illuminations will be a real spectacle to enjoy.
The Fire Stage will play host to the electrifying Flame Oz, 90’s fusion music, the club sounds party vibe of Mr Wilson’s Second Liners and the spectacular Spark! LED drummers.
There will also be a funfair and live entertainment from local dance and theatre groups and a fantastic selection of local street food vendors and bars selling hot cider in Abbey Close.
Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron said: “Our fantastic Halloween Festival is fast becoming a must-attend event in the town’s calendar attracting people from across Renfrewshire and beyond to experience all the fun and frights of the fair.
“This year is set to be bigger and better than before, showing that Paisley knows how to throw a party for all to enjoy.”
Tickets for the Halloween Ball cost £8 plus booking fee and include a free drink on arrival.
Student tickets are available for £5 plus booking fee with valid student ID.
For information on the other activities and events taking place over the course of the weekend please visit www.paisley2021.co.uk