About the Festival
Paisley Halloween Festival is one of Scotland's best-known Halloween events and has welcomed families, visitors and local communities to Paisley for many years.
Each autumn, the town centre becomes the stage for a unique programme of street theatre, live performances, illuminated installations, community participation and Scotland's largest Halloween parade.
Inspired by the theme 'Haunted House', the 2026 festival invites visitors to explore a world of imagination filled with larger-than-life characters, spectacular visual performances, themed entertainment and unforgettable moments around every corner.
Whether you're visiting with family, enjoying a night out with friends or discovering Paisley for the first time, there are experiences for all ages throughout the weekend.
Programme of Activity
Halloween Parade
The spectacular, 400-strong parade will wind through Paisley town centre each night from 7pm.
The parade features world-class returning performers including spine-tingling Spark! LED Drummers and Uncle Doom and his Organ of Gloom. Plus brand-new acts like comedic shopping trolley dance act Granny Turismo, the majestic Ember the Dragon, and spectacular mirror and sea-themed show globes to name a few.
The parade also features themed performance groups, community participants, music, special effects and large-scale visual creations inspired by the Haunted House theme.
The parade route will include: Smithhills Street, Gauze Street, Mill Street, Bridge Street, Cotton Street, Gauze Street and Gilmour Place and will take approximately 60 minutes from start to finish.
Grandstand seating
Grab a ticket to view the spectacular parade from the comfort of our covered grandstand seating area.
Ticket-holders will enjoy:
- A covered seat in the grandstand with a fantastic view of the parade. (Seating is unreserved).
- A complimentary hot drink and baked good of your choice from Coffee Mill.
- Pre-parade shows hosted by Go Radio's Zoe Kelly, from 6pm featuring:
- Pete Anderson – internationally renowned street performer
- Missy Impossible danger-fuelled street show, which is fun for all the family.
Ticket prices
- £15 per person (inclusive of booking fee)
- £54 for a group of four (inclusive of booking fee)
Visit Universe ticket sales to book tickets
Please note the grandstand seating is not accessible. A covered, ground level, accessible viewing area is available next to the seating area. Please read on for more information about accessibility at the Festival or contact events@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
Street performances
Gauze Street
Throughout the day a programme of internationally renowned street acts featuring:
- Spark! LED Drummers
- Vampire Duo Brad and Vlad
- Uncle Doom and his Organ of Gloom
- Granny Turismo
- Ember the Dragon
- Mirror and sea-themed show globes
- Under-the-sea themed stilt-walkers
A full programme timings will be announced ahead of the event.
Gauze Street and top of Dunn Square
Experience daring acts from Missy Impossible, and Pete Anderson, to the stunning Show Globes, and Granny Turismo in this new performance area for 2026. Full programme timings will be announced ahead of the event.
Light installations
Lighting displays and illuminated artwork will transform streets, public spaces and buildings across the town centre as darkness falls.
Giant Spider
Location: Corner of Gauze Street & Cotton Street
Our giant spider is once again out and about on the streets of Paisley, how close do you dare to get?!
Light Show on Paisley Abbey
Location: Paisley Abbey
Transforming Paisley Abbey into a spectacle especially for Halloween, with eerie eyes watching from the shadows, bats swooping across the architecture and spiders creeping through the stonework.
Snakes
Location: Paisley Town Hall
The front of the Town Hall will be transformed into a spooky jungle with giant snakes slithering between the columns .
Grollop Monster
Location: Roof of Piazza Shopping Centre
A giant colourful inflatable monster will tower over the front of the Piazza Shopping Centre.
Halloween Moon
Location: Paisley Town Hall (back)
A spooky full moon descends over Paisley providing a glowing light for monsters and madness to unfold in the town centre.
Please note; the following installations will be in situ in County Square prior to the parade, subject to weather conditions:
- Haunted House a haunted house float created for the event by Handmade Parade to lead the parade
- Frankenstein huge puppet created by local street theatre company Bridgeman Arts
Funfair
Family-friendly rides and attractions will operate across the festival weekend at the Lagoon area and East End Park.
Fringe programme
The Fringe Programme provides additional Halloween-themed activity across Paisley, helping visitors extend their stay and explore more of the town centre. Activities may include:
- late-night shopping
- family workshops
- community events
- seasonal entertainment
- special promotions from local businesses.
If you are based in Renfrewshire, are planning to run a Halloween themed event and are interested in being part of Halloween fringe programme please get in touch by Wednesday 1 October.
I want to be part of the Halloween Fringe
Location
Address
Getting here
Plan your journey to Paisley Halloween Festival
Paisley is easy to reach by public transport and road.
By train
Paisley Gilmour Street station is a short walk from the festival site and has regular services from Glasgow Central, Ayrshire and Inverclyde.
The journey time to Paisley from Glasgow Central is less than 15 minutes. On arrival at Paisley Gilmour Street, exit via County Square to reach the festival site.
Plan your journey at www.scotrail.co.uk.
By bus
Local and regional bus services operate to Paisley town centre throughout the year. Visitors should check travel information before travelling as some services may be affected by event road closures.
Plan your journey at www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk.
By car
Paisley town centre is a 12-minute drive from Glasgow City centre and just minutes away from the M8 motorway exits 27 and 29.
Parking is available in Paisley town centre, although some locations will be affected by festival road closures. Visitors are encouraged to plan their journey ahead of travelling.
If you’re travelling by car, we recommend the following parking locations:
- Piazza Shopping Centre car park (open until 9pm)
- Horizon Car Park (Paisley Shopping Centre) (open until 10pm)
- West College Scotland.
Road Closures
Paisley Halloween Festival can be a busy event, with some disruption to traffic and public transport. Please read the road closure guidance and plan ahead.
Features
- Scotland's largest Halloween parade Watch hundreds of performers, community participants and spectacular themed creations bring the Haunted House story to life through Paisley's streets.
- Street theatre and live performances Meet roaming characters and enjoy performances from returning festival favourites and exciting new acts across the town centre.
- Illuminated landmarks See some of Paisley's best-known buildings transformed with lighting, projections and larger-than-life visual installations.
- Grandstand seating Enjoy a reserved festival experience with covered seating, hospitality and dedicated pre-parade entertainment.
- Family-friendly entertainment Explore performances, activities and attractions designed to entertain children, families and visitors of all ages.
- Funfair Enjoy rides and attractions located at the Lagoon car park and East End Park throughout the festival weekend.
- Food and drink Choose from a range of food and drink traders located across the event site.
- Fringe programme Extend your visit with Halloween-themed activities, workshops and late-opening businesses across Paisley town centre.
Accessibility
- Accessible viewing areas Ground-level accessible viewing areas are available at Cotton Street, County Square and the top of Dunn Square. These locations provide space for wheelchair users and visitors who require step-free viewing.
- Quiet space A quiet space marquee will be available near Bridge Street and Abbey Close for visitors who need a break from the festival environment.
- Accessible toilets Accessible toilets are available at every toilet location across the festival site.
- Changing Places facility A mobile Changing Places toilet will be available on Cotton Street.
- Blue Badge parking Blue Badge parking is available at designated locations close to the festival.
- Mobility support Shopmobility Renfrewshire can provide additional support, including wheelchair, powerchair and scooter hire.
- Assistance dogs Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the festival. The festival takes place in a busy town-centre environment. Some performances may include loud music, amplified sound, flashing lights, lasers or fire effects.
Volunteering
Volunteers help bring Paisley Halloween Festival to life every year.
There are opportunities to support visitor welcome, stewarding, wayfinding and festival operations. Volunteering is a chance to meet new people, gain event experience and be part of one of Scotland's most recognised events. The festival also relies on the creativity and support of local community participants who contribute to performances and parade elements.
Further information about volunteering opportunities will be published ahead of the event. If you would like to volunteer for Paisley Halloween Festival, or any other Renfrewshire Council event please get in touch.
Contact
For any enquiries about Paisley Halloween Festival including sponsorship, fringe activity, volunteering or accessibility please email.