Spooky season has crept up sooner than we thought, and how it’s already next week is beyond us. It is one of our favourite times of the year, and there is an abundance of things to do in Glasgow this Halloween. From Ghostbusters landing in the Botanics to scary movie scores in candlelight and even a disco party at the museum, weegies have plenty to choose from for next week. So, we have gathered all the most gruesome, thrilling and chilling events into one place, and here’s a list of all the things to do this Halloween.
1. Embark on a journey to a Ghostbusters-inspired land
The UK’s biggest Halloween event is taking place in Glasgow, and it’s GlasGLOW time! This year, guests are taken on a journey to another dimension of the spooky land of Ghostbusters. Between October 27 and November 12, Glasgow Botanic Gardens will be bringing chills and thrills to guests of all ages as well as some feel-good interactive light installations. The trail takes around 60 minutes and will make you contemplate the fragility of our existence. Now that’s what we call scary!
2. Listen to film scores performed by a string quartet at The Tall Ship of Glenlee
Beloved film scores like you’ve never heard them before surrounded by candlelight. Visitors will have the chance to witness a unique performance on October 28. A unique candlelit concert, dedicated to all of our favourite films this spooky season, Floating Candlelight: Movie Soundtracks, will play well-known tunes, such as Mary Poppins Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, La La Land – City of Stars and James Bond 007 – Skyfall. A selection of more familiar theme tunes will also be on the agenda, so listen out for all the feel-good melodies and enjoy the floaty ride.
3. Go on thrilling rides at this Halloween-themed fairground
Spooktacular has arrived in Glasgow from October 6 and will stay until October 29, taking place in the green car park at Silverburn, Pollok. The fairground features 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 are over 15 rides for you to choose from, all of which are included with the ticket. The tickets get you unlimited access to all rides for the duration of your four-hour session alongside being able to explore the food and drink village, photo opportunities, games and attractions.
4. Go to a one-night-only Halloween New York disco at the Riverside Museum
Party at Scotland’s most famous museum with groovy vibes, dancers, drag performers and acrobats at this Halloween New York disco! Melting Pot DJ is bringing the disco vibes alongside a number of glitzy performers to get party-goers delightfully terrified. The night of October 28 will be as memorable as it gets, with its disco revolution in One Night at the Museum. As it wouldn’t be Halloween without a proper spooky outfit, guests are invited to dress up either in the most gut-wrenching attire or to blend in with the music with a groovy 70’s disco outfit. Who knows, the magic of disco might even bring the exhibitions back to life at the Riverside Museum this Halloween.
5. Sing along to spooky tunes and sip on chilly cocktails at this rooftop venue
Yotel Glasgow’s rooftop venue VEGA is adding to the festivities by hosting a Halloween party on October 28 full of horror-themed cocktails, spooky sing-alongs and a fancy dress competition. What is more, the first 100 arrivals will receive a free cocktail and the pictures from the photo booth will also be free of charge! Visitors can also enjoy spooky sing-alongs in the karaoke room that will be transformed into a Halloween ‘wonderland’.
6. Dare to embark on the Haunted Glasgow City Exploration Game
If you dare, set off on a ghostly journey around one of the most haunted cities in the world. This tour sends you around Glasgow to uncover the city’s dark past about the old buildings full of sinister secrets. Starting at Glasgow Central Station, the 65-minute experience sends you to 14 different locations, each one more occult than the last. Make sure to enlist the brightest minds you know, as you’ll need all the help you get as you search the city for answers.
7. Attend an evening of potion-making and tea-tasting
On October 30, Bird & Blend Tea Co. will become a potion-making witches’ den where guests can make up love potions, and money spells and taste some spooky teas. The eerie event will grant guests after-hours access to the stores for a Tea Lock-In and an exclusive evening of spooky tea tasting. Creations like Black Magic Matcha and Goth Lattes will be sure to set tea enthusiasts on a journey of ghoulish fun.
8. Be a part of a haunted forest immersive horror experience
As humans, we often seek that adrenaline hit, that feeling that will make us feel alive. Well, between October 13 and 31 you can make all your dreams come true in an Asylum-like environment. Asylum will be an immersive horror experience where visitors will have to undergo all sorts of horrific challenges as they make their way across Kelburn Estate, uncovering the chilling secrets of a new drug testing that will make you everything you ever wanted to be. This is not for the faint-hearted and all children between the ages 14 and 17 need to be accompanied by an adult. Bring warm, waterproof clothes and the use of umbrellas is not advised. Also, expect offensive language, graphic violence, jump scares and references to mental health conditions, medications, and medical diagnoses.
9. Get pumpkin carving at this free workshop
At this heart-warming workshop, visitors will get the chance to put their creativity, anger or both out on an unsuspecting pumpkin. On selected days between October 19-22 and October 28-29, Glasgow Botanic Gardens will host pumpkin carving workshops in GlasGLOW’s Children’s Garden between 11am and 3pm. There is no need to pre-book, and you can either bring your own pumpkin or use the one supplied on-site. The workshops are part of itison, the event organiser’s Pumpkin Fund, which was established upon the inception of GlasGLOW to bring positive impact in the local community.
GlasGLOW also spreads pumpkin joy in Glasgow and further afield every year by donating thousands of free event tickets and pumpkins to local charities, schools and hospitals allowing young people to get involved and even have their designs displayed in GlasGLOW’s Pumpkin Patch.
10. Enjoy a super fiery special edition burger from this award-winning spot
El Perro Negro is introducing a hellish special, and it’s their spiciest burger to date. Described as ‘not for the faint-hearted, the Hot Dog Burger is available from mid-September. Straight from the fires of hell, spice fans will be treated to two juicy double smash patties, double cheese, extra hot house chilli, chipotle and garlic mayo and house pickles. It is, indeed, mega hot!
11. Dance the night away at this massive Halloween club night
The beloved Pressure event at SWG3 offers a unique night out, with fancy dress encouraged as music lovers assemble to experience the familiar sounds of dark, hypnotic, electric and eclectic techno. Pressure will take place on Saturday, October 28 at SWG3 Glasgow, starting as early as 9pm and going into the night until 3am. With a stellar line-up, Glasgow’s beloved venue and event will take music fans on a spooky journey as the veil between worlds is at its thinnest.
12. Go to a late-night Halloween market
Glasgow’s beloved spot, The Barras Market, is welcoming Halloween enthusiasts to not only do some shopping, but also put their Halloween costumes to good use. The Barras Market Halloween Special will take place on October 26 between 5pm and 10pm, bringing all the ghoulish and witchy vibes, themed stalls from local businesses and entertainment. There should also be a best costume competition, and the most creatively dressed will receive an award.
13. Take your little ones to the Lil’ Monsters Ball
Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow is throwing a spooky ball for little ones this Halloween, inviting families to dress up in their favourite costumes. Go for a wee day out filled with entertainment, plenty of food such as pancakes and bottomless coffee and tea for adults. The ball takes place on October 29, and adult tickets are £15.95 and children go for £10.95, while you can book your tickets here. Plus, Hard Rock Cafe has got a special spooky menu up for grabs between October 23 and 31, offering Blueberry Chipotle Burgers and Booberry Zombie Cocktail with Bacardi Superior rum, triple sec, pineapple and fresh lime with a ghoulish treat of grenadine.
14. Perfect your putting game at this Hip-Hop Halloween-themed event
Golf Fang Glasgow is hosting an exclusive Halloween event, the HipHop Halloween Takeover that takes place over two days. 3-time DMC Champion, DeeJay Rasp will livestream a HipHop Halloween set on both Monday, October 30 and Tuesday, October 31. The entry is £10 which includes a round on Golf Fang’s golf course, as part of the off-peak deal available Monday through Thursday. Plus, there will be Halloween-themed drinks at Golf Fang between October 27 and 31!
15. Find love if you’ve been ghosted in the past
Young singles who have been ghosted in the past can attend a dating event, Ghost Bru-Sters, this Halloween. The event is hosted by Irn-Bru and El Perro Negro, offering Gen Z singles to find love in person, with no hauntings in sight. El Perro Negro on Woodlands Road will be transformed into a spooky dating night like no other, with tricks and treats, as well as an Irn-Bru-inspired menu and cocktail selection.