Autumn is fully underway as the sun starts to set earlier and the temperature drops but that doesn’t mean there’s little fun to be had. With awesome festivities such as Halloween taking place this month, it means we needn’t have to stay indoors. Plus, October is bursting with events and performances for you to indulge in, let alone the food and drink. So, without further ado, here’s our guide to the best things to do in Glasgow to make for an epic October.
1. Witness a brand new fireworks festival
A brand new Scottish fireworks festival is set to light up the skies this autumn, inviting guests to celebrate Halloween and Bonfire Night at Dean Castle Country Park. Located 3o minutes from Glasgow, the Fawkes Festival will take place on October 29, boasting a spooky atmosphere with the backdrop of the castle, as well as a 20-minute firework display complimented by music and lights.
2. Visit this spooky immersive event with thrilling rides
To get us in the spooky mood is a brand new immersive event arriving in Glasgow from October 6 to October 29 and the organisers have unveiled a frightful line-up of rides. Spooktacular will take place at Silverburn shopping centre, Pollok in the lead-up to Halloween and will feature the likes of an epic rollercoaster, thrill rides for thrill seekers, a festival wheel with the best view of Glasgow, ‘little pumpkin’ rides and more. Situated in the green car park at Silverburn, Spooktacular is sure to be frightfully good fun!
3. Play social darts at Glasgow’s newest bar
Flight Club, the social darts bar and a competitive socialising concept, is opening in Glasgow on October 6. Located on George Street, Flight Club is set to liven up Glasgow’s bar scene, offering visitors a chance to participate in multiplayer games, as well as indulge in creative cocktails and small bites.
4. Admire a soulful Candlelight Concert of Hans Zimmer’s Best Works
Get into the feels in a romantic setting at the beautiful Merchants House of Glasgow on October 13 with this stunning candlelight concert, where a string quartet of talented performers will play their own renditions of Hans Zimmer’s best works. Think This Land from The Lion King, Tennessee from Pearl Harbor and Pirates of the Caribbean suite.
5. Go pumpkin picking
It’s October which means seasonal events like Halloween and Bonfire Night are creeping our way, plus the huge countdown to Christmas. But first on the agenda for autumn has to be Halloween. Whether you’re doing it for the ‘gram or just absolutely love getting your carve on, there are a number of pumpkin patches near Glasgow you can visit this autumn. From the start of October through to Halloween, pumpkin patches near Glasgow will not only be brimming with pumpkins but also plenty of activities to get involved in from carving to photoshoots with your produce. Check out the best pumpkin patches near Glasgow where you can pick your own pumpkins here.
6. Get transported to a Ghostbusters-themed land in this year’s new GlasGLOW outdoor show
is bringing back Ghostbusters questioning the true meaning of existence and life beyond death. Between October 27 and November 12, Glasgow Botanic Gardens will be transformed into the spooky world of the beloved Ghostbusters. The adventure trail will take up to 70 minutes, bringing chills and thrills to guests of all ages as well as some feel-good interactive light installations.
7. Hear beloved film scores like never before at a candlelit concert
As part of Fever’s Candlelight Concert series, music fans will be able to enjoy a unique candlelit concert, dedicated to all of our favourite films this spooky season, Floating Candlelight: Movie Soundtracks, and 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. Get tickets here.
8. Go see the sensational rock musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
When we think of the ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ musical, the main song immediately comes to mind taking over the majority of the brain. Glasgow will be able to sing the iconic soundtrack of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ out loud this October, as the production sets off on a UK tour, playing in Glasgow between October 16 and 21 at King’s Theatre.
9. Attend 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. The event will take place on Saturday, October 28 at SWG3 Glasgow, starting as early as 9pm and going into the night until 3am.
10. Visit the spookiest spots in the city on the Haunted Glasgow City Exploration Game
Embrace the spooky season with a ghostly journey around one of the most haunted cities in the world. This hair-raising tour sends you around Glasgow to uncover clues and find out all sorts of sinister stories about the buildings that are brimming with a dark history. Kicking off from Glasgow Central Station, the 65-minute experience sends you to 14 different locations, each one more haunting than the last. Make sure to enlist the brightest minds you know and brush up on your Sherlock, you’ll need all the help you get as you search the city for answers.
11. Check out Scotland’s first country-themed bar with a bull pit
Rock, rodeo and all things American fans will be over the moon to find out there is a brand new bar opened its doors in Glasgow, boasting a bull pit, live rock music every night and live sports. As a result, the new venue Maggie’s Rock ‘n’ Rodeo will become Scotland’s first country-themed bar. Go check it out and have the best time!
12. Check out the rudest cafe in the UK
Located on Minard Road in Shawlands, Rude Cookies is a women-led independent business where you don’t have to be scared of swearing. Rude Cookies calls themselves “the baddest bakery in Glasgow”, and could possibly be considered the rudest cafe in the UK with their uncensored cookies. On top of being decked in pink, the cafe boasts funny artwork, and a very special door handle that you will just have to go see for yourself (wink wink).
13. Attend an evening of disco at the Riverside Museum
The night of Saturday, October 28 will be as memorable as it gets, with its disco revolution in One Night at the Museum. Visitors will be granted a chance to visit an era of pure decadence, excess, glamour and music with a one-of-a-kind event inside Glasgow’s contemporary venue. So, just dress up in your best fancy dress and get your groove on this Halloween!