Thousands of people headed into Paisley town centre for this year's Halloween Festival, and the council has now confirmed the dates for the next big events on the calendar: the Christmas Lights switch-ons.

Friday night's parade was once again the star of the show. Hundreds of professional performers and community groups took part, winding through the town centre on a haunted house theme. Highlights included a giant haunted house float, a Frankenstein puppet, a giant spider and a shoal of sea creatures.

Around the parade there was plenty more to enjoy. There were funfairs at the Lagoon Car Park and East End Park, live performances in County Square, street performers, marshmallow toasting, arts and crafts, and spooky light shows and inflatable monsters on some of the town's best-known buildings.

The festival is run by Renfrewshire Council's events team with performance specialists Cirque Bijou and lighting designers Woodroffe Bassett Design.

Saturday's programme was called off because of the severe weather warning for Storm Boelo.

Pauline Allan, Renfrewshire Council's Events Manager, said: “We were really sorry we had to cancel that date due to the severe weather forecast, but ensuring a safe event for our performers, attendees and all those who work so hard to make the event happen is our priority.

“While the weekend's weather wasn't the best all round, we were delighted it didn't dampen everyone's spooky spirits on the Friday evening and our performers and all those taking part got to showcase some of the amazing performances and costumes they had been preparing in advance.”

Christmas Lights switch-on dates

Paisley's Christmas Lights Switch On is next, on Saturday 14 November. Expect a full day of family fun, with arts and crafts workshops, magical light tunnels, a funfair and street entertainment from local acts. Skippinish take to the main stage at 4.30pm, ahead of the big switch-on at 6pm.

Switch-ons are also coming to towns across Renfrewshire:

  • Linwood – Thursday 19 November
  • Renfrew – Saturday 21 November
  • Erskine – Friday 27 November
  • Johnstone – Saturday 28 November

Photo: Renfrewshire Council