If Halloween is the highlight of the autumn season (and it clearly is) then Paisley is the place to be this October. For the first time since 2019 the much-loved parade will return on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October, and there’s so much to see and do that there’s bound to be something for the whole family to enjoy.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the return of this much-loved festival features a new funfair located outside the Lagoon Leisure Centre, stage and street performances by day, and a spectacular hour-long parade from 7pm each night, with 300 performers (including local community groups, PyroCeltica and Spark! LED Drummers) winding their way through Paisley town centre. Expect to see a ghostly pirate ship, glowing jellyfish, towering puppets, witches, zombies and more. While the event is still free to attend, for the first time guests will be able to purchase tickets for covered grandstand seats, offering fantastic views of the parade plus a limited edition tote bag with Halloween goodies and come-and-go access between 5.30-9pm.

Across the two-day festival, guests can enjoy activities from local businesses, and lighting displays on key buildings such as Paisley Abbey, the town hall and the Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub which will be transformed into what’s been tantalisingly described as ‘a mystery manga bat cave’. Also look out for installations across the town, such as a flaming gargoyle on Cotton Street, a ghost ship and giant witch in County Square, and a giant spider puppet, bubbling cauldron and wonder glass in East End Park.

Visitors from out of town can travel to Paisley Gilmour Street via rail, with regular trains from Glasgow Central, Ayrshire and Inverclyde. McGill’s Buses operate a number of services to the town centre. And car parking is available at the Piazza Shopping Centre, Paisley Centre (Horizon), Paisley Grammar School and West College Scotland.

Paisley Halloween Festival, Paisley Town Centre, Friday 25 & Saturday 26 October. For more details, visit the website.