Record crowds roll up to Paisley Halloween Festival
Paisley celebrated its biggest ever Halloween Festival as 41,000 people flocked to the town to see the amazing floats, circus performers and spectacular Mardi-Gras style parade!
One of the largest festivals of its kind in the UK, this year’s Dark Circus themed event was delivered alongside internationally-acclaimed outdoor theatre specialists, Cirque Bijou, who helped transform the entire town centre into the perfect Halloween playground.
More than 350 costumed performers and community groups took part in the parade, the centrepiece of the festival, which wound its way through the town centre, led by the sinister Svengali ringmaster. The parade also featured fantastic, giant lion and elephant floats, ferocious fire performers, creepy clowns and curious creatures, to delight the gathered crowds.
Another spectacle of the festival was the dazzling aerial performances from aerial artists, All or Nothing, who performed their death-defying act ‘Into the Dark’. The performance saw the artists take to the skies to circle and swirl around a haunted carousel over the grounds of the town’s iconic Abbey.
Crowds were entertained with top-class live performances from the likes of Spark LED Drummers, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners and Big Grey on the Circus Stage. A funfair and cinema screening of popular Halloween films added to the packed programme, while families enjoyed workshops including pumpkin carving and costume making workshops.
The Silent Disco also proved a welcome addition to the festival offering plenty of dancing, singing and Halloween fun for all the family.
Amanda Clarke from Motherwell, said: “This is our first time to the event, we saw it online and wanted to come along. It’s been a great day out with the kids. We’ll definitely be back next year.”
Kirsty Cameron from Paisley said: “It’s really well put together, I bring the family most years and it’s always very good with lots going on.”
Louisa Mahon, Renfrewshire Council’s Head of Communications, Marketing and Events, said: “This year’s Halloween Festival was our biggest and most ambitious to date covering the entire town centre with a jam-packed programme with something for everyone to enjoy.
“The event grows larger and more creative every year and is one of the highlights in our event calendar and has really cemented the town’s position as a key destination for visitors.
“Paisley has always had a thriving artistic community - creativity and performance is in the DNA of the town and Halloween gives the community the perfect opportunity to showcase their talents and dress up while they do it – it’s the perfect celebration.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in making this year’s event such a huge success, whether by taking part or by coming along and enjoying the festival.”
Julian Bracey, Artistic Director of Cirque Bijou, said: “It's been an absolute pleasure getting to know the people of Paisley to put together this year's Halloween Festival. We've worked closely with local artists to run community parade workshops over the last few months and are so grateful for all the hard work they've put in.
“We're really proud of what we achieved this year, and everyone who took part or came along should be too.”
The Paisley Halloween Festival, which was supported in 2018 through the Year of Young People event fund, was awarded £16,950 of National Programme funding from EventScotland for this year’s event.
The Paisley Halloween Festival, which was supported in 2018 through the Year of Young People event fund, was awarded £16,950 of National Programme funding from EventScotland for this year’s event.
Paisley Halloween Festival is one of the major events in Renfrewshire Council’s winter events programme which continues with the Paisley Halloween Festival (Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October), Paisley Fireworks Spectacular (Saturday 2 November) and Christmas Lights Switch-On events in Paisley (Saturday 16 November), Renfrew (Saturday 23 November) and Johnstone (Saturday 30 November).
Paisley Halloween Festival
Event information
Paisley Fireworks Spectacular
Event information
Paisley Christmas Lights Switch On
Event information
Renfrew Christmas Lights Switch On
Event information
Johnstone Christmas Lights Switch On
Event information
For more information about Renfrewshire’s winter events, please visit www.paisley.is.
Latest Local News
Golf course and bowling greens reopen as lockdown measures ease
Stream4Scotland adds new names to 10 hours stream in aid of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy and ViseUp
Make Music Day calls on Scottish musicians to perform Auld Lang Syne
Dobbies encourages kids to get gardening
National Theatre of Scotland launches PLAY DATES a new online interactive programme for children and families
Charity calls on talented Scots to take part in virtual fundraising event
Dobbies supports Virtual Chelsea Flower Show
Scottish Book Trust launch online celebrations for Bookbug Week
Scotland Hosts International Prayer Meeting via Zoom
Celebrate World Whisky Day with Johnnie Walker
itison announce plans to launch first socially distanced Drive In
Over 10,000 food packs donated in 24 hours
Art company launches online Art Exhibition on behalf of Beatson Cancer Charity
itison launches Social Bite fundraiser
Dobbies podcast explores gardening for beginners
SF At Home brings you studio tours, workshops and exhibitions
Stay off the tracks. Stay home. Stay safe.
Pupils can take part in fun online version of Olympic Games
Cancellation of events in Renfrewshire
Members of the public are asked to help identify archive photography
Enormous Ailsa Craig onion originated at Culzean Castle
Launch of Ren TV
VE Day extravaganza for care homes across the UK
Virtual running challenge launched in aid of NHS Charities Together
TRNSMT 2021 Line Up Announced
A new online quiz service has launched to help people host their own pub quizzes from home
Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival 2020 Cancelled
Dobbies supports National Gardening Week
Scientific breakthrough creates buzz for Scottish Bee Company
Bloody Scotland and Bute Noir to hold a version of their popular quiz live online.
Sponsored Links
Popular Events
Name That 90’s Tune
The Stayin' Inn are back with a fourth 'Name That Tune' quiz and this time it's all about the great musical decade that was the nineties!TTF - Celebrating 30 years of TTF - POSTPONED
See TTF plus some of Europe's biggest acts all under one roof at intu Braehead Arena on Saturday 27th June as they celebrate their 30th anniversary!Stream 4 Scotland
Watch some of Scotland's most exciting artists straight from your home as they raise vital funds for music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins and Glasgow based PPE charity ViseUp!Paisley Porteno Zoom Milonga
Join Paisley Tango on Saturdays for their Porteno Zoom Milonga sessions, everyone is welcome to come dance, watch, listen or chat!ACCORD Hospice Virtual Balloon Race
ACCORD Hospice have joined up with ecoracing.co to take part in their Coronation Day Balloon Race, to help them raise much needed funds!Popular Venues
Advertise With Us
Looking to reach new customers? We offer a variety of advertising options with prices starting from just £30 per month!
