The calendar's turning, and Paisley is about to burst into life. Whether you're a music lover, bookworm, art enthusiast, or pop culture fan, the next two months are packed with events worth marking down—and marking up your calendar. Here's what you absolutely shouldn't miss.
May Kicks Off Strong: Two Major Festivals
May Fèis Weekend (8–10 May)
Celtic music, culture, and celebration come to town this May bank holiday weekend. The Fèis is a cornerstone event for Paisley—a chance to immerse yourself in traditional Scottish music and contemporary takes on the tradition, plus workshops, performances, and community spirit that makes the town feel genuinely alive.
Whether you're a Gaelic music devotee or just curious about the culture, this is the time to get involved. Bring friends, bring family. There's something for everyone.
When: Fri 8 – Sun 10 May
Where: Paisley (across multiple venues)
Why Go: Celebrate Celtic heritage and support the artists keeping traditions alive
Paisley Book Festival (15–17 May)
Three days dedicated to storytelling, authors, and the magic of books. If you love reading, discovering new voices, or hearing directly from the writers who move you—this is essential. The Book Festival draws literary talent and brings communities together around the power of words.
Perfect for book club members, casual readers, students, or anyone who's ever lost themselves in a good story.
When: Fri 15 – Sun 17 May
Where: Paisley (across multiple venues)
Why Go: Discover new authors, support local bookshops, and celebrate stories that matter
Live Music: Tributes & Original Sounds
Paisley's live music scene stays vibrant all through spring. Catch these essential performances:
Desperados – Thu 7 May (leading up to the Fèis weekend)
The Laurettes – Sun 10 May (part of the May Fèis celebrations)
DIGNITY – Fri 15 May (opening weekend of the Book Festival)
Check local venue listings for times and tickets.
Arts & Culture: UWS Exhibitions
UWS Degree Show (8–14 May)
Emerging talent from the University of the West of Scotland takes centre stage. The Degree Show is where next-generation artists, designers, and makers reveal their work. It's inspiring, it's fresh, and it's free to explore.
When: Thu 8 – Wed 14 May
Where: UWS Campus & Gallery Spaces
Why Go: Discover tomorrow's creative talent and get inspired
UWS Arts & Media Showcase (8–21 May)
Running alongside the Degree Show, this showcase highlights the breadth of creative practice at UWS—from digital media to performance, graphic design to film. A brilliant snapshot of what's happening in arts education right now.
When: Fri 8 – Thu 21 May
Where: UWS Campus & Gallery Spaces
Why Go: See the full range of student work and emerging creative practice
Your May-June Calendar at a Glance
DateWhat's OnCategoryThu 7 MayDesperados LiveLive MusicFri 8 – Sun 10 MayMay Fèis WeekendFestivalThu 8 – Wed 14 MayUWS Degree ShowArts & ExhibitionFri 8 – Thu 21 MayUWS Arts & Media ShowcaseArts & ExhibitionSun 10 MayThe Laurettes LiveLive MusicFri 15 – Sun 17 MayPaisley Book FestivalFestivalFri 15 MayDIGNITY LiveLive MusicSat 20 JunePaisley Comic ConCommunity & Pop Culture
June: Looking Ahead to Comic Con
Mark your calendar for Paisley Comic Con (Saturday 20 June)—Paisley's celebration of pop culture, comics, gaming, and all things geek. If you're into superheroes, sci-fi, cosplay, or just having fun with like-minded fans, this is unmissable.
Why This Matters
Events like these are what makes Paisley a place where culture thrives. They bring people together, support local artists and venues, celebrate our heritage, and create memories. Whether it's your first time or you've been to every festival, these May and June events are your invitation to be part of something special.
The beauty of Paisley's events calendar is the variety—you can dive deep into Celtic music, lose yourself in a good book, discover emerging artists, and celebrate pop culture all in the same season. There's truly something for every taste.
Get Involved
Check local venues for specific times and ticketing. Follow Paisley's arts and culture pages on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date information, artist lineups, and special announcements.
What will you be attending? Let us know in the comments or tag Paisley's cultural spaces when you go. Supporting these events means investing in what makes our town vibrant.
Your calendar's waiting. Paisley's ready. See you there.