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 spooky 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 Trick or Treat. Between October 25 and November 10, 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 unique Queen tributes surrounded by a sea of candles
Beloved Queen tunes like you’ve never heard them before surrounded by candlelight. Visitors will have the chance to witness a unique performance on October 31. A special candlelit concert, dedicated to the legendary band Queen this spooky season, Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen, will play well-known tunes, such as I Want to Break Free, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Bohemian Rhapsody and more.
3. Go to a 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 November 2 will be as memorable as it gets, with its disco revolution at Riverside 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.
4. Sing along to disco tunes and sip on cocktails at this rooftop venue
Yotel Glasgow’s rooftop venue VEGA is adding to the festivities by hosting a Disco Brunch on November 2 full of themed cocktails and sing-alongs. You get half a bottle of prosecco per person, a cocktail and a brunch meal with your ticket! You can book your spot here.
5. 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.
6. 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 10 and November 3 you can make all your dreams come true in a dystopian-like environment. Blight 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, helping save humanity from a dangerous infection. 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; 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.
7. Perfect your putting game at this Hip-Hop Halloween-themed event
Golf Fang Glasgow is a funky adult crazy golf experience that will have some themed Halloweeny spooky things going on. 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.
8. Go to this witchy market followed by a Halloween party with fire dancers and live music
Top up on crystals, get a tarot reading, join a coven or simply support local businesses at Glasgow Witchy Bazaar. The market and “Rave’n Ball” will be taking place at BAaD this Halloween on October 31 from 4pm until midnight (the market itself will be open until 7pm), and has a one-of-a-kind allure that draws in witchcraft and spirituality enthusiasts from everywhere.
9. Attend the “Freak Show”
Between October 4 and 31, guests can head to M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park to witness their new Halloween experience, “Freak Show”, presented by Outbreak. Visitors will be taken to a mysterious circus with rumours that the hypnotist, The Great Koringos, is making the audience members disappear affecting their minds. Of course, the audience is part of the immersive experience with outdoor setting, colourful horror characters and lots of scares are to be expected. Plus, the spot is also hosting a pumpkin patch this year! You can book your tickets here.
10. Watch scary movies at this secret cinema with street food and cocktails
Big Feed and Golf It! are introducing a FREE Secret Cinema, playing scary movies across the month of October. Expect a heated cinema room, street food from Big Feed, a cocktail bar and snacks. Hosted every Friday at 6pm, guests can see well-known horror films like ‘It’, ‘The Shining, ‘From Dusk Til Dawn’ and, lastly, ‘The Lost Boys’ on October 25. Just show up and take a seat, no booking is needed.
1240 Cumbernauld Rd, G33 1AH
11. Go pumpkin picking
Most pumpkin patches around Scotland are open until the end of the month, so why not enjoy some quality time with loved ones at a pumpkin festival? Plus, the farms offer Halloween-themed activities for guests to enjoy. You can check out the most noteworthy pumpkin patches near Glasgow here.
12. Check out this bookshop-themed bar
The Last Bookstore has recently opened its doors in Glasgow with 8,000 books lining its walls and plenty of cocktails to go around. Located on Hope Street, the bar and restaurant is owned by the same team behind Devil of Brooklyn and Tabac. The bar’s walls are lined with 8,000 books in total, containing 442,000,000 words, while there is a book arch consisting of 1,300 books, perfect for those photo ops. Go check it out!