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 dinosaurs 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 The Land That Time Forgot at Glasgow Botanic Gardens
The UK’s biggest Halloween event is taking place in Glasgow, and it’s GlasGLOW time! This year, guests are taken on a journey back in time to the ancient land of dinosaurs. Between October 26 and November 13, Glasgow Botanic Gardens will be transformed into the prehistoric tundra where dinosaurs and active volcanoes will prove that time does not have amnesia. 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 horror film scores performed by a string quartet at Òran Mór
Scary film scores like you’ve never heard them before surrounded by candlelight. Visitors will have the chance to witness a unique performance on October 26. A Halloween Candlelight concert, dedicated to spooky season, Candlelight: Halloween Film Scores & Classics, will play modern Halloween tunes, such as Michael Jackson’s Thriller and This Is Halloween, alongside sinister-sounding classical numbers. A selection of eerily familiar theme tunes will also be on the agenda, so listen out for the likes of Stranger Things and Psycho.
3. Go on thrilling rides at this Halloween themed fairground
Spooktacular has arrived in Glasgow from October 7 and will stay until October 31, 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, ‘little pumpkin’ rides and a scare maze. 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 Scare Maze, 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 29 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. Watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show at this iconic venue
The Rocky Horror Halloween Scream is coming to Platform Glasgow, where they will be screening The Rocky Horror Picture Show on October 29 for the ultimate rocking out. Film enthusiasts are invited to watch the cult movie screening this Halloween, with a full on singalongs and overall good vibes. This could be the perfect occasion to dress up, get into the Halloween mood and just have the best time. After all, it’s not Halloween without Rocky Horror!
8. Attend an evening of potion making and tea tasting
On October 27, Bird & Blend Tea Co. will become a potion-making witches den where guests can make up love potions, 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.
9. Be a part of a Purge-like immersive horror experience
As humans, we often seek that adrenaline hit, that feeling that will make us feel alive. Well, on October 26 you can test your survival ability in a place where all crime, including murder, is legal for four hours. Anarchy 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 in the hopes to obtain evidence that will bring down the government. 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.
10. 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 a unsuspecting pumpkin. On selected days between October 20-23 and October 29-30, 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 design displayed in GlasGLOW’s Pumpkin Patch.
11. Enjoy a super fiery special edition burger from this award-winning spot
El Perro Negro is introducing a Halloween special, and it’s their spiciest burger to date. Described as ‘not for the faint hearted, the El Diablo burger will only be available during Halloween weekend. Straight from the fires of hell, spice fans will be treated to a juicy beef patty with gooey double chili cheese, Naga beef chili, hot house pickles and Chipotle chili mayo. It is, indeed, mega hot!
12. Sip on Stranger Things inspired cocktails at this old-school arcade bar
That’s right, you can indulge in Stranger Things themed cocktails at NQ64 this weekend. On top of their brand new cocktail menu, Corroded Coffins and Vecna’s Twist are making special appearances on their spooky season cocktail menu, bone-chillingly served across all nine venues. If you’re into Jack Daniel’s Honey with apple, lemon, vanilla and pimento dram, then Corroded Coffins is for you. And if you’re more on the dark side, Vecna’s Twist comes with Jack Daniel’s Apple, blackberry, ginger and lemon.
13. Attend a bouncy Halloween party at this trampoline park
If an adrenaline rush is more your child’s kind of Halloween celebration, head down to Gravity trampoline park on Saturday, October 29 from 5-7pm. Those who dare risk it, can bounce amongst the devils for a two-hour spooktacular Halloween Party whilst creepy tunes take over the venue. Fancy dress is encouraged, and prizes will be given out to the best-dressed. Expect prizes such as slushies, ice cream and free bounce.