Paisley’s Spree and Halloween festivals will mark the return to in-person events in Renfrewshire this winter.
Renfrewshire Council, which coordinates both celebrations, confirmed this week that while some covid safety measures remain in place, both events will go ahead.
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The Spree Festival, scheduled to start on October 8, will mark the region’s first major in-person event since March 2020.
The popular music and arts festival, which first took place in 2012, will see slightly smaller audience sizes over the ten-day event.
But the iconic spiegeltent will return with a programme of Scottish and UK-based musicians to be announced later this month.
The Wee Spree programme will also return for the school holiday week with a fun schedule of activities and arts for kids and families taking place in a range of venues across Paisley.
Programme details will be made available later this month at www.thespree.co.uk
Louisa Mahon, the council's head of events, marketing and communications, said: “It’s great to be looking forward to in-person events again, but we are always mindful that public safety is the number one priority while we’re still living with coronavirus.
“Live music has been much-missed these past 18 months and it has been great to see its return locally in recent weeks.
“We’re very happy to be working with Regular Music again to bring some top Scottish and UK artists to the festival.
“With the Wee Spree and events coinciding with the school holidays, we’re aiming to offer some fun, safe family activity that we can all enjoy locally.”
Paisley Halloween Festival has been the most popular event in Paisley’s calendar in recent years.
It was recognised as best cultural event or festival at the Scottish Thistle Awards 2019/2020.
The festival’s 2021 edition will take on a very different format with a series of spectacular installations that are ‘Out of This World’ popping up across Paisley town centre.
Running from October 28 to November 1, the event is part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21.
Louisa added: “Paisley Halloween Festival has become our most popular event in recent years and one of Scotland’s favourites.
“This year’s event takes a different format but, together with our event partners Cirque Bijou, I’m confident everyone who visits our town centre on those five days will enjoy an ‘out of this world’ experience!
“Keep your eye on Paisley.is for more information out soon.”
The Spree and Paisley Halloween Festival have received funding support from Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund and the Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21.
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s director of events, said: “Scotland is the perfect stage for events and with the easing of restrictions it is great to see the return of live, in-person events, including the return of both The Spree and the Paisley Halloween Festival.
“Events are such an important part of our communities and EventScotland is delighted to be supporting The Spree through Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund and the Paisley Halloween Festival in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21.”
Scotland’s coasts and waters will be showcased throughout 2021 as part of Visit Scotland’s themed years which aim to put a spotlight on the different things Scotland has to offer its citizens and visitors.
More information about both events is available online at www.paisley.is
