There are loads of things to do in Glasgow at Halloween, and a huge number of Halloween events in Glasgow (and beyond) every year. I couldn’t find anywhere with lots of them in one place, so I thought I’d make a wee list of some we’ve enjoyed over the past few years, and lots that I quite like the sound of!
I’ve included free events, events in Glasgow and some brilliant events at locations farther afield. All of them are family friendly (though aimed at different ages), and all of them sound like fantastic fun! So without further ado, here we go!
(Note – this list is updated each year & events added in when I come across them. If I’ve missed an event that should be in the list please get in touch at lynn@glasgowwithkids.co.uk with all the info I need to add it. Last updated August 2023.)
Halloween Parties & Parades
Paisley Halloween Festival @ Paisley
26th – 28th October | Free
This is Paisley’s event of the year – this year’s theme is Gothic Halloween. The Halloween Trail Zone will be a one-way system, with a queue to enter, around Paisley Abbey where visitors can explore specially-created attractions including Frank & McStein’s Fire Show, Spooky Bat Cave and Raven’s Realm. The Live Performance Zone in the area around Paisley Cross will see street theatrics from returning festival favourites Spark! LED drummers and Pyroceltica, as well as sword-swallowing, stilt-walkers and community music and dance performances.
There are activities, street performances, carnival rides, street food and an illuminated trail of installations and light displays around Paisley Abbey, Town Hall and the River Cart. The Paisley Halloween Festival provides fun, free family entertainment. It’s on 6pm-9pm, from Thursday 26th until Saturday 28th October.
Suitable for all ages | No ticket required | More info
Fawkes Festival @ Dean Castle Country Park
29th October | £15.26 adults, £9.96 kids, under 3’s free
A wickedly wonderful Halloween firework event set in the beautiful grounds of Dean Castle & Country Park. This spooktacular event will feature family fun, pre-show entertainment, fairground rides, delicious food and drink and a magnificent Halloween-inspired professional fireworks display set to music, lights and lasers. Also takes place at Dalkeith Country Park near Edinburgh on the 28th October if you can’t make the 29th at Dean Castle.
Suitable for all ages | Info & tickets
Lil’ Monstars Breakfast! @ Hard Rock Cafe
29th October | £9 adults, £10 kids, babies free
Club parties for adults that your kids can come along to. With brilliant DJ’s, fully stocked bar, food and a ton of activities to entertain kids. This is a really brilliant party with a great atmosphere. Prizes for best costumes!
Suitable for all ages | Info & tickets
1994 Halloween Family Fun Day Rave @ The Classic Grand
28th October, 1-5pm | £11.25, babies free (early bird rates available)
It’s almost time to plan your costumes and get ready to dress up with the kids. Bring the Grandparents, careers and all your friends, because it’s time for another massive 1994 Halloween family fun day rave spooktakular! An afternoon jam packed with fun and games for the Young & Oldskool.
Split over two floors at the Classic Grand Ballroom, the main hall is where the RAVE is at (not at adult volumes) with our live DJ’s, Face-paints & Party Games. Room Two is quieter but packed with things to do – Bouncy Castle, Ball Swamp, Soft Play and seating area – ALL in the heart of Glasgow City Centre. Prizes for best costumes.
Suitable for all ages | Info & tickets
Minimanoeuvres Halloween Spooktacular @ BAaD & Cottiers
29th October 2023 (BAaD) @ 1pm | 5th November 2023 (Cottiers) @ 12 noon
The legendary annual Halloween Spooktacular from Minimanouevres is back! It’s the biggest family Halloween party of the year, so much so that they are throwing TWO huge parties in Glasgow, one East, one West over two separate weekends. Prizes for best costumes, fab DJ’s, awesome entertainment. This is one not to miss!
Suitable for all ages | Info & tickets
Halloween Spooktacular Family Party @ Glasgow Science Centre
20th & 27th October, 6-9pm | £10
Scotland’s biggest family fancy dress party is back this Halloween at Glasgow Science Centre. There will be plenty of tricks and treats in store for the whole family, so dig out your best Halloween costume and join us, if you dare, for a night to remember.
WHAT’S ON:
• Explore three floors of amazing interactive science exhibits
• Spooky Pebble Painting
• Cress Monster – grow a monster to take home and scare your friends
• Frankenstein’s Dissection – real dissections, not for the faint-hearted
• Haunted Castle Science Show – join our spooky scientists for a live haunted science show
• Ghost Trail – see if you can find all the ghosts scattered around the science centre
• Monster Mash Disco – boogie the night away with your friends and family
There will also be a range of drinks and snacks on offer so you can refuel before you dance the night away at the Monster Mash Disco.
Suitable for all ages | More info
Big Barrhead Halloween Parade @ Barrhead
28th October | Free
Get ready for another spooktacular time as one of the biggest events of the year returns with a bang! The Big Barrhead Halloween Parade will take place across Barrhead on Saturday 28 October, with a day filled with thrilling activities. Join us for a day of spine-tingling fun, including funfair rides, a spooky cinema, mesmerizing street performers, live entertainment, and much more throughout the day.
Suitable for all ages | No advance booking neccessary | More info
Walks and Trails
Scary Faerie Trail @ Loch Lomond Faerie Trail, Luss
6th – 31st October | Starting at £8.75
Head out on a trail through the eerie ancient forest solving clues in your activity guides as you go. Watch out for the spiders and trolls! The trail will lead you into Faerie Tale Farm where some farm friends are waiting to meet you! The pop up Pumpkin Patch is located within the farm park where you can purchase your own pumpkins to carve and of course take lots of snaps! Some mildly scary moments in an otherwise whimsical journey through the magical woodland, finishing at their very special Pumpkin Patch.
Suitable for all ages | More info
Silly Spooky Fun @ Almond Valley
7th – 29th October | Regular admission applies
Odd things happen at Almond Valley once the leaves fall from the trees and Halloween approaches. The dark corners of the old mill have been taken over by a family of crazy inventors, who are engaged in top secret experiments. Nobody knows the purpose of their bubbling pipes, flashing lights and strange whirling machines, but it’s all rather odd and just a little bit scary. Our boffins have also to set up their equipment outside among the trees and fields where giant eyeballs gaze down at you. Are you being watched? Did that one just wink? Follow the trail, crack the clues, and solve the mystery.
And once you’ve done the scary bit, head off to the pumpkin patch, grab a wheelbarrow and find yourself a prize specimen. The big orange pumpkins can be discovered among the straw beneath the shelter of the barn, so there’s no need for wellies. Find your way past smiling scarecrows, big bale monsters, and low-flying bats, to enjoy a happy seasonal celebration.
It all adds up to a silly, scary, Halloween celebration that’s suitable for all of the family. Come dressed as your favourite scary creature and become part of the fun.
All activities except pumpkins included with admission. The fun continues throughout the day from 10.00 until 17.00, just drop in and join in.
Suitable for all ages | No advance booking necessary | Info & tickets
Glasglow @ Glasgow Botanic Gardens
27th October – 5th November | £22 adults, £11 kids
A supernatural dimension has opened in Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens. Drop everything. Dust off your proton packs. Channel your inner Egon. It’s SLIME TIME! This October, the UK’s biggest Halloween event returns to Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens with another epic 60-minute outdoor blockbuster. Call your squad, and whatever you do, don’t cross the streams.
Suitable for all ages | Advance booking required | More info & tickets
Creepy Creatures Trail @ RSPB Loch Lomond, Gartocharn
7th October | £2.50 plus entry fee
Are you brave enough to explore our wild woods and discover the amazing wildlife that is sprouting, growing, creeping and crawling all over the reserve? Pick up a Creepy Creatures Trail sheet from the Nature Hub and have a hoot with your wild things. Make a potion in our witches kitchen, wander through the woodland and learn some frighteningly fantastic facts along the way. Return to the Nature Hub to collect a treat.
Suitable for all ages (we did the dino egg one over Easter and it was great for young kids) | Drop in | No booking necessary | More info
Halloween Scavenger Hunt @ RSPB Lochwinnoch
1st – 27th October (excl. 21st & 22nd) | £3.50 plus entry fee
We have hidden some Halloween themed items along our trail. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk the trails to see if you can spot them all! Be sure to purchase your activity pack with scavenger hunt spotting guide and other fun added challenges! Pop back to the visitor centre once completed to claim your reward!
Great for young kids | Drop in | No booking necessary | More info
Halloween Pumpkin Hunt @ RSPB Lochwinnoch
21st, 22nd, 28th & 29th October | £3.50 plus entry fee
Come to our reserve for some spooky fun, follow our Spooktacular pumpkin trail and see how many of our ghoulish pumpkins you can find! Simply pop into the visitor centre to collect a special Halloween pumpkin activity bag including your very own Halloween pumpkin spotting sheet with activity booklet plus certificate and more and you’re good to go!
Suitable for all ages, great for young kids | Drop in | No booking necessary | More info
All Hallows Eve Creepy Campfire @ Dams to Darnley Country Park
31st October, 6-8pm | Free but booking required
Get in costume and join some other creepy characters around the campfire for chilling tales, creepy games and other Halloween frolics. Prizes for best costume, best spooky story and best guising joke.
Location: meet at the Paterton Station overflow car park, opposite side of Stewarton Rd from the station, G77 6NR.
Suitable for all ages | More info & booking
The Forest of Horrors @ Chatelherault Country Park
27th & 28th October | £15 per person
Do you dare to enter the Forest of Horrors? Do you have the stomach to face the unknown? The nerve to awaken the other side? Then come along to Chatelherault County Park, where you will be led through the Forest of Horrors! Are you ready to see what’s really out there after dark? Once you start, there’s no turning back! There will also be a licensed bar and the Oaks Café will be open serving up some truly terrifying treats!
Suitable for 13 years + | Advance booking required – call 01698 426213 | More info
Crafts, Spells & Messy Play
Halloween Party @ Messy Nessies
Contact for info
All the mess you could ever want, all in one place. Great sensory activity, and one you probably don’t want to do at home!
Suitable for crawling kids to about age 4 | Info & booking
Children’s Potion Class @ House of Potion Magic
Various dates throughout October | From £18
Come and help out our magical professors brew potions, do experiments and concoct spells, there may even be some slime! Recommend age 5-12 (not suitable for over 12s, age 4 at parents discretion)aimed at primary school level. Class lasts around an hour, parents don’t need to pay but must remain with children throughout the class.
Classes for 2-12 yr olds | Info & booking
Days & Evenings Out
HalloWild @ Blair Drummond
21st – 31st October, 10am – 5.30pm | Regular admission applies
Giant spooky spider hay bales, a trick-or-treat trail and pumpkin picking in the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect halloween lantern?
All activities are included in ticket price. Members go free.
Suitable for all ages. | Info & tickets
Evening Trail @ Kelburn Estate, Largs
TBC | Adults £7, Kids £3, Under 2’s free
Last years event info, will update when info released. Travel around Kelburn in search of the monsters who need help and join their quest to attend the Ball, complete all 5 monsters quests to earn your invite to the party! Halloween Party in the Pavilion running from 12:30pm to 4pm daily. Drop in to join in spooky games after you’ve completed all 5 quests!
Suitable for all ages. | Info & tickets
Friday Fright Night and Scary Saturday @ Almond Valley
27th & 28th October, 6 – 9pm | Regular admission applies. Advance booking essential.
Once the sun has set, and the daytime visitors have all gone home, we open our doors again to those bold enough to brave the creatures of the night. A trail of tiny lights will guide your way across the bridge to Charlesfield, and to the reassuring comfort of the orchard barn. Here smells and sights delight. There’s sweet treats, hot chocolate and marshmallows to toast, and an array of spooky sideshow games that will test your skill and nerve. Next door, the Paraffin Works play-space will be alive with strange sounds and moving lights, adding to the air of mystery. But be on your guard, as all sorts of horrors and scary beasts may be lurking in the shadows, and may surprise you on the dark trail through the trees. In addition to this fun you can also book a ticket for our little train, and brave a perilous after-dark journey through a land of ghouls and ghosts.
Suitable for all ages | Advance booking necessary | Info & tickets
This is Halloween @ Mugdock Country Park
13th – 20th October | £15 per child, accompanying adults free
Come along in fancy dress (optional) and bring your funniest jokes, best dance moves or most tuneful song and go guising round our characters wee houses. If you impress them enough they will reward you with a treats. You might also bump into our friendly witch who will tell you stories of magical times. Finally head to our pumpkin patch to pick your pumpkin and maybe toast a marshmallow or two.
Aimed at 0-14 yrs | Advance booking required | More info & booking
Kelburn’s Haunted Forest: Asylum @ Kelburn Estate, Largs
Various dates between 13th – 31st October | £13.50
Kelburn’s Haunted Forest, the most famous scare-fest in Scotland, returns with Asylum! Are you ready to live your best life, are you ready to be your best self? Boyle Pharmaceuticals are launching their new pan-psychological cure HOPE, a genius invention that will allow you to be all that you ever wanted to be! This drug has been rigorously tested using specially selected volunteers from HM Prison Service who were once deemed incurable, and the results are remarkable. You are now cordially invited to book your ticket to come to Asylum and witness firsthand the transformational power of HOPE. Should you be unable to leave the Asylum though, you may find that HOPE is your only cure! Are you brave enough? Are you sane enough?
Suitable for age 14+ | Advance booking recommended | Info & tickets
Pumpkin Festival @ Clyde Valley Family Park
14th – 31st October | £12.50, 2 yrs old £6.25, Under 2’s free
FREE pumpkin for every visiting child! Choose your pumpkin from our field – pick a good one – then carve it at our carving station – will you go traditional scary or try something a bit stranger? Leave all the mess with us! Will you be crowned the best dressed at our daily fancy dress competition? Adults are included so get your outfits ready! Will you be able to find all the clues to solve the Halloween Hunt puzzle and claim your treat? We won’t make you do a trick! Will you be able to make your way through the Creepy Corridor or will you be too scared. Lots more spooky things on including themed music, ghastly decorations, photo opportunities and some jokes to get you in the spirit!
Suitable for all ages. | Advance booking recommended | Info & tickets
Pumpkin Picking
The Pumpkin Patch @ Arnprior Farm
12th – 27th October | £10 (cost for parking, part redeemable against a pumpkin)
This event is honestly one of the highlights of our year. With over 20,000 pumpkins for you to choose from, just hit the patch and find your perfect pumpkins. You’ll find big orange ones, green warty ones, white ones and stripy ones, whatever takes your fancy.
As well as pumpkin picking, there are also lots of activities to keep you busy including: Pizza, Face painting, Freshly ground coffee, Gin cocktails, Burgers & Stovies, Pop up photographer, Chainsaw carving, Quad pods, Kale maze.
Suitable for any age | Advance booked highly recommended as it may sell out | Info & tickets
The Pumpkin Festival @ Strathclyde Park
7th – 29th October | £10.95 including pumpkin/£8.50 including hot drink
A great hit with adults and children alike, this year’s festival will feature a new ghostly story telling by Folksy Theatre. The theatrical tales will take place every thirty minutes. Also a favourite is the Bash a Pumpkin Game, where everyone receives a prize, as well as a Pumpkin Trail and the Pumpkin Patch where visitors can pick the pumpkin of their choice. Children can also enjoy a trip on the Pumpkin Express Train as well as new Halloween themed arts and crafts.
Suitable for any age | Advance booked highly recommended | Info & booking
Pick a pumpkin @ East Yonderton Farm
Dates TBC | £10.95 kids/£8.50 adults/under 3’s go free
Last years info; will update when details for 2023 released. If you just want to simply go and choose your own pumpkin for carving, this is the one. Sweet and simple. Pay for pumpkins by weight.
Suitable for all ages | No advance booking required | Pay for pumpkins by weight on the day
Pick a pumpkin @ Neilston Pumpkin Patch
14th, 15th, 21st & 22nd October | Free entry, pay for what you pick
The famous Pick a Pumpkin event is back for 2023. Come and join us for a fun and pumpkin-tastic day out on the farm. Pick your own pumpkin and get some great pics around the field.
Suitable for all ages | Advance booking required | More info & booking
Pumpkin picking @ Valley View at Gouldings
7th – 29th October | Free entry, pay for what you pick
Valley View are holding their popular Pumpkin Picking event, a fun day out for everyone to enjoy! Grab a sledge and explore our outdoor and indoor areas to choose your own Pumpkins. With some Halloween scenes and decorations along the way, you’re guaranteed a spooky, fun time with lots of photo opportunities! They’ll also have carving stations available so you can leave the mess behind! Various 1.5 hour sessions are available. There’s even an option to come at night if you’re brave enough!
Suitable for all ages | Advance booking recommended | More info & booking
Pumpkin Picking @ Westwinds Pumpkin Patch
13th – 29th October | £10 per vehicle
A great hit with adults and children alike, this year’s festival will feature a new ghostly story telling by Folksy Theatre. The theatrical tales will take place every thirty minutes. Also a favourite is the Bash a Pumpkin Game, where everyone receives a prize, as well as a Pumpkin Trail and the Pumpkin Patch where visitors can pick the pumpkin of their choice. Children can also enjoy a trip on the Pumpkin Express Train as well as new Halloween themed arts and crafts.
Suitable for any age | Advance booked highly recommended | Info & booking
Pumpkin Festival @ Kilduff Farm
Various dates between 14th & 29th October | Free entry, pay for what you pick
he Pumpkin Festival at Kilduff is a wholesome family experience set in the heart of East Lothian. An opportunity for children, young and old, to pick their own pumpkins right from the field where they grow and enjoy an autumn celebration. Our Pumpkin Festival is packed with family fun for all ages. There is pumpkin picking, a bale maze, festival games and lots of autumnal photo opportunities. We will be joined by Drift and Wee Green Events with tasty treats and our Wee Red Barn will be back with lots of autumnal goodies to take home, including our own farm produce.
Suitable for all ages | Advance booking required | More info & booking
Funfairs & Rides
Darktober @ M&D’s
29th September – 31st October | From £10.95
Ride in the dark on a selection of our outdoor rides, as often as you like on the date of your visit.
- The Runaway Mine Train
- Rip Tide
- Dancing Galleons
- Music Express
- Twister
- Disk’o
- Wave Swinger
Over 15’s (12+ if accompanied by a paying adult) can also book The Coven, a haunting horror experience.
Recommended for age 4+ | Height restrictions apply to some rides | Info & tickets
Spooktacular @ Silverburn
6th – 29th October | From £12 for 4 hour session unlimited rides
Spooktacular, the Halloween themed fairground returns for another year of some frightening fun this October. This year’s Spooktacular will feature the likes of an epic rollercoaster, thrill rides for thrill seekers, a festival wheel with the best view of Glasgow and ‘little pumpkin’ rides. There will be over 15 rides for you to choose from, all of which are included with a wristband. Guests can expect thrills, spills and chills with attractions including a terrifyingly towering roller coaster and much more. Height restrictions apply to some rides.
Recommended for age 3+ | Advance booking recommended | Info & tickets
Family Halloween Movies
Hocus Pocus @ Glasgow Science Centre IMAX
28th & 29th October | £7.95
Revel in the wickedly humorous nostalgia of supernatural comedy, Hocus Pocus and celebrate its 30th anniversary this Halloween at Glasgow Science Centre. A villainous comedic trio of witches awaken from their 300-year slumber and brew up a reign of terror after Max, a young boy who moves to Salem with his family, lights a cursed Candle of Black Flame.
Note: Hocus Pocus is showing in standard, non-IMAX format.
Suitable for all ages | Advance booking required | Info & tickets
Halloween Drive In Movies @ Lanark Agricultural Centre
28th – 31st October | £35 per car
Scary movies-a-plenty! Whether you like your Halloween scares with a song, a laugh, a hot splash of red lipstick or if you’re more of an old school Scream seeker, you couldn’t be in better hands. We’ve made sure to collate an absolute feast of frights offering the perfect level of quakes and shakes for pretty much everyone.
Movies showing include Hocus Pocus, Lost Boys, Addams Family and Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Suitable for all ages | Advance booking required | Info & tickets
Musical Events
Children’s Classic Concerts: Myths & Monsters @ The Royal Concert Hall
28th October, 1.30pm | From £8.96
Join Children’s Classic Concerts for the legendary quest: ‘Myths & Monsters’. Bringing together a unique blend of orchestral music and on-stage escapades, along with a sprinkling of fantastical magical creatures, this promises to be the perfect entertainment for the whole family. Can Owen be victorious in his battle to become the jousting champion of the orchestra? Will he succumb to the Jabberwocky and those beastly Halloween ghouls and goblins? Or perhaps he’ll succeed in training his dragon and escape to safety!
Recommended for age 4-12 | Advance booking required | Info & tickets
Artie’s Singing Kettle Halloween Singalong @ Websters Theatre, Bishopbriggs & Eastwood Theatre
Various dates & times in October | From £12
Artie’s legendary Halloween Singalong with the original Singing Kettles. ‘Eaten by a Boa Constrictor’, ‘Shove Granny Aff the Bus’, ‘Spooky Ghost’, lots of Singing Kettle favourites. Bring Granny too and we promise not to make it too scary!
Suitable for all ages | Advance booking required | Info & tickets
