If you’re searching for the best Halloween events in Glasgow this year, you’re in luck. Glasgow’s West End and nearby towns are gearing up for two major experiences that bring the spooky season to life.
I’ve pulled all the details you need dates, times, locations, routes and what to expect so you can pick your best outing without stress.
One event is ticketed, immersive and light-trail based in Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens. The other is a free street-festival parade in a neighbouring town that’s easy to reach from the city. Let’s dive in.
Halloween Events Glasgow 2025
| vent Name | Date & Time | Location / Route | Entry Fee | Main Attractions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GlasGLOW | 24 October – 9 November 2025, evenings | Glasgow Botanic Gardens, West End (G12 0UE) | Adults start around £24, children from ~£10 | Immersive light-trail, installations, family friendly |
| Paisley Halloween Festival | Friday 24 Oct (4pm–9pm) & Sat 25 Oct (2pm–9pm) 2025 | Paisley town centre, Renfrewshire | Free general access | Street parade at ~7pm each night, live performances, installations |
History & Origins
The Light Experience in Glasgow
GlasGLOW began as a seasonal event that transformed Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens into a light-art destination each autumn. Over the years it has become a major fixture in the city’s calendar and now draws significant attendance.
It connects to Glasgow’s creative scene, turning a historic botanical setting into a night-time immersive experience.
For 2025 the organisers describe it as the biggest edition yet, speaking to the growing popularity and scale of the event.
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The Paisley Halloween Festival Parade
Just outside the city, Paisley’s Halloween Festival has grown into a large free public event with a flagship parade. The parade and festival were built to bring community arts, street theatre and celebration into the autumn season.
The town centre fills with performances, lighting effects and a route designed for maximum engagement.
For 2025 the festival emphasises a return of the parade and expects over a thousand participants and groups.
Date, Time & Location Details
GlasGLOW – 2025 Edition
- Dates: 24 October – 9 November 2025.
- Location: Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road, West End, Glasgow G12 0UE.
- Event runs in the evening; exact admission times vary by ticket slot.
- Route: Visitors follow a designated trail through the gardens, passing illuminated installations and themed zones across paths and glasshouse surroundings.
- Suitable for families, couples or groups wanting a planned, paid-entry experience.
Paisley Halloween Festival Parade – 2025 Edition
- Dates/times: Friday 24 October 4pm–9pm, Saturday 25 October 2pm–9pm.
- Parade time: Each night around 7pm, lasting approximately 60 minutes.
- Route: The parade moves through Paisley town centre streets, including recommended vantage points such as Mill Street for better views.
- Location: Paisley town centre, Renfrewshire, UK.
- Free to attend: general public areas require no entry fee though there may be optional premium seating.
- Ideal for families or groups looking for a lively, open-street event.
Why This Matters for Glasgow Area Visitors
If you’re based in Glasgow and want a Halloween outing, you don’t have to pick just one vibe. One option gives you a controlled, premium light-trail experience within Glasgow city. The other gives you an energetic street festival with a parade just a short journey away.
By covering both, you get flexibility: pay-entry or free, garden trail or town parade. It means you can plan around budget, group size and style of outing.
In the next session I’ll cover how to participate, viewing tips, costumes & themes, and more so you have the full picture for planning.
How to Participate
For GlasGLOW, you’ll need to buy tickets in advance. Entry is controlled by time slots, and popular weekends sell out fast. Tickets usually go on sale in late summer. Prices vary for adults, children, and concession visitors, with family packages available. You can print tickets or show a digital copy at the gate.
Visitors don’t need to dress up, but many families still arrive in costumes to match the Halloween spirit. Since it’s an outdoor event, warm jackets, gloves, and waterproof shoes are a must. The paths can get damp at night.
If you’re attending the Paisley Halloween Festival, it’s simpler. Entry is free, and no registration is needed. However, those who want to join the parade as part of a school group, dance team, or performer must register through local community organisers before early October.
The parade usually includes hundreds of participants, from costumed performers to local musicians and arts groups.
Viewing Tips and Best Spots
For GlasGLOW, the best spots are near the main installations around the Palm House and the upper garden terraces. Those areas tend to have the most dramatic lighting and music. If you prefer quieter views for photos, arrive early at your time slot before the crowd builds.
At Paisley, Mill Street and Gauze Street give the clearest view of the parade’s main procession. Cotton Street near the end of the route is ideal if you want to catch the finale and closing performances. Arriving at least thirty minutes early ensures a good place by the barriers.
Bring a power bank if you plan to capture photos or videos. Most events have no charging points. Families with kids should keep glow sticks or small torches for safety once the street lights dim.
Costumes and Themes
GlasGLOW introduces a new creative theme each year. For 2025, the event features an adventure-themed storyline linked to Glasgow’s 850th anniversary, combining fantasy and Scottish folklore elements. Visitors can expect projections, mythical creatures, and storytelling through light.
Costumes aren’t mandatory, but they make photos more fun. Families often coordinate themes think witches, ghosts, or glowing accessories that match the event’s neon style. Keep costumes light and weatherproof, since October nights can turn cold quickly.
The Paisley Halloween Festival Parade celebrates community imagination. Every year it adopts an overarching artistic theme. For 2025, organisers have teased a “Celestial Carnival” concept, blending cosmic costumes with carnival-style masks and illuminated props. Local schools and performance groups design elaborate outfits, from stilt walkers to puppeteers.
Entertainment and Highlights
GlasGLOW is designed as a self-guided light trail, so expect visual installations rather than live performers. Music and sound effects accompany themed zones, creating a cinematic feel.
A highlight this year is a new laser-forest segment and the “Scottish Legends” light show, projecting mythical beasts onto the garden’s trees. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal food stalls near the entrance.
In contrast, the Paisley Halloween Festival is all about motion and spectacle. The hour-long parade features floats, dancers, circus artists, drummers, and glowing props.
The finale usually ends with a coordinated light show in the town square. Side attractions include a funfair, face painting, and pop-up food stalls. It’s lively but well managed, making it safe for families.
Both events show Glasgow’s wider love for creativity. Whether you’re into immersive art or traditional street celebrations, there’s something unique for everyone this Halloween.
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Travel and Accommodation
GlasGLOW’s Botanic Gardens sit right in Glasgow’s West End, easily accessible by subway to Hillhead Station or buses along Great Western Road. There’s limited on-street parking nearby, so public transport saves time.
Visitors coming from outside the city can book hotels in the West End or near Kelvingrove Park for convenience.
For the Paisley festival, trains from Glasgow Central reach Paisley Gilmour Street in under fifteen minutes. From there, the parade route is a short walk.
Drivers can use the Paisley Centre or Storey Street car parks, though they fill quickly on parade nights. Several hotels and guest houses near the town centre offer weekend packages during Halloween. Booking early is wise since rooms sell out close to the festival.
Food and Local Experiences
Both events pair well with local dining. Around Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens, Byres Road and Ashton Lane host plenty of eateries offering autumn menus and Halloween-themed drinks. Coffee shops extend hours during the festival, and food trucks serve hot chocolate and street snacks near the park entrance.
In Paisley, temporary food stalls pop up along the route, offering candy apples, burgers, churros, and seasonal drinks. Local pubs and restaurants create limited-edition menus tied to the festival theme. For families, indoor cafes near the town square offer warmth and rest after the parade.
If you’re planning to explore more of the region, nearby attractions like Kelvingrove Museum or the Riverside Museum are ideal daytime stops before evening festivities.
Safety and Rules
Halloween events in Glasgow attract big crowds, so following event rules makes your evening smooth. At GlasGLOW, visitors pass through bag checks at the entrance, and large backpacks or sharp props aren’t allowed. Tripods and bulky camera gear are restricted for safety and crowd flow. Food and drinks from outside aren’t permitted, though water bottles are fine.
The Botanic Gardens trail is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, but paths can get slippery, so wear sturdy shoes. Security and staff are on-site throughout the evening. If you’re bringing children, label their jackets with contact numbers in case they get separated.
At the Paisley Halloween Festival Parade, streets close to traffic during the event. Keep to pedestrian zones and follow the marshals’ directions.
For kids, ear protection helps if you’re near the drummers or sound stages. Alcohol consumption in open areas is prohibited, and glass bottles are banned for everyone’s safety. Both events encourage responsible celebration and respectful behaviour.
Photography and Social Media Tips
If you’re aiming for those perfect Halloween shots, timing is everything. At GlasGLOW, the best photos come right after sunset when the sky turns deep blue but the lights are already vivid. Using a phone with night mode gives crisp images without flash. The garden’s pond and the Palm House provide perfect reflection shots that many visitors overlook.
For the Paisley Parade, stand near street corners where performers often pause or turn. These moments capture full float displays and costumes in motion. Avoid standing under bright streetlights, since they can overpower the glow effects from floats.
Both events have official hashtags for sharing pictures. You can post your images on social media tagging the event’s name and location. It’s an easy way to connect with local participants and see other visitors’ creative costumes. Just remember to ask before photographing performers up close.
Conclusion
Halloween in Glasgow offers more than just costume parties. Between the glowing trails of GlasGLOW and the lively streets of Paisley, there’s a perfect balance of art, family fun, and local culture. These events highlight Scotland’s deep storytelling traditions and community creativity.
From light projections in the Botanic Gardens to the thumping drums of the Paisley Parade, every experience feels alive. Whether you prefer quiet strolls through illuminated paths or cheering for street performers, Glasgow gives you both worlds.
Plan ahead, grab your tickets early, and dress warm. With glowing skies, music, and laughter filling the air, Halloween 2025 in Glasgow promises unforgettable memories for locals and visitors alike.
FAQs
Yes, the parade and outdoor entertainment are completely free. Only optional premium seating or side activities might charge a fee.
No, GlasGLOW is a ticketed event with various price tiers. Entry is only allowed for those with valid tickets for their specific time slot.
Both events recommend leaving pets at home. Loud music, lights, and crowds can cause distress for animals.
Not required, but highly encouraged. Many families and visitors dress up for photos or to add fun to the experience.
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For GlasGLOW, arrive at least fifteen minutes before your ticketed time. For Paisley, plan to reach viewing spots thirty to forty minutes before the parade starts.
GlasGLOW has limited parking in the West End. Paisley offers public car parks near the town centre, but public transport is usually easier.
Outside food is not permitted at GlasGLOW, though there are on-site food stalls. In Paisley, food vendors line the streets, so you’ll never go hungry.
Open containers and alcohol are not permitted in either venue or along the parade route.
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