Autumn in Glasgow: A season of stories, spooks, and spectacle

As the leaves turn and the nights draw in, Glasgow transforms into a city alive with colour, culture, and captivating experiences. This autumn, visitors are invited to explore a vibrant programme of seasonal events. From Halloween happenings, literary delights, and fresh new places to eat, drink, and discover.

Whether you're seeking family fun, spine-tingling stories, or cosy corners to curl up with a book, Glasgow is the ultimate autumn city break.

Halloween in the city: from historic haunts to hilarious horror

This October, Glasgow gets gloriously ghoulish with events that mix the spooky and the spectacular:

• Provan Hall hosts a series of eerie events in one of Glasgow's oldest buildings, where family-friendly frights meet paranormal activity. Choose from ghost tours, a Witchcrafternoon, and paranormal investigations. Be sure to check out Provan Hall's latest exhibition: Folklore and Witchcraft in Early Modern Scotland too.
• Experience chills and chuckles at the Big Halloween Kids Comedy Show at The Stand, Glasgow's iconic comedy venue.
• Venture into the macabre with ghost stories and even a Halloween market at the Britannia Panopticon, the world's oldest surviving music hall, where phantoms and performers go hand-in-hand.
• Go for an atmospheric walk around the Glasgow Necropolis, a stunning Victorian cemetery, offering panoramic views and plenty of haunting history.
• itison presents GlasGLOW returns to the Botanic Gardens with a dazzling new theme celebrating “The Glasgow Story” – a magical journey through the city's past and present, lit with immersive installations and storytelling.
• Get your dogs ready for a spellbinding evening at the Harry Pawter Halloween Party. Expect fun costumes, themed activities, and plenty of treats for both dogs and their humans.
• On 1 November, the Riverside Museum transforms into an unforgettable dancefloor for Melting Pot Halloween: One Night at the Museum. Expect DJs, and a unique setting for a late-night celebration
• Step into a world of thrills at Spooktacular, featuring spooky sights, thrilling rides dazzling entertainment, and Halloween fun for all ages.
• Perfect for families, GlasGhost offers a friendly fright this Halloween with interactive storytelling, themed characters, and plenty of spooky surprises—without the scares being too scary.

• Join the Halloween Family Party at Glasgow Science Centre for hands-on science, games, and family-friendly Halloween activities in a safe, fun environment.

Cultural highlights and family fun

This season also brings opportunities for discovery and creativity for all ages:

• Step into the world of Charles Rennie Mackintosh at the Mackintosh at the Willow, where autumn activities include engaging family workshops such as, bake your own pumpkin pie and designing a spooky afternoon tea stand.
• Browse Glasgow's excellent independent bookshops like Caledonia Books, Category Is Books, and Voltaire & Rousseau. Or maybe head slightly out of the city to The Bookmonger, newly opened in Bearsden, where you can enjoy one of latest novels while sampling some fine wine and Scottish cheeses.
• Head to Tramway to experience Leap then Look: Play Interact Explore — a vibrant free, hands-on art exhibition running from 27 September 2025 to 11 May 2026. Created by artist duo Leap Then Look, the exhibition features colourful, tactile sculptures designed to be touched, moved, and played with, offering a playful and accessible art experience perfect for families, and curious minds alike.
• Aye Write, Glasgow's long-established book festival is back to mark its 20th anniversary. Running from 6-16 November, this much-loved festival has a packed programme of 130 events. Among the most familiar names in the wide-ranging line-up at this year's Aye Write festival are Irvine Welsh, Jeanette Winterson, Sally Magnusson, Dougie Donnelly, and Nicola Sturgeon.

Autumn walks

Autumn is the perfect time to explore Glasgow's great green spaces. Take a stroll through Pollok Country Park, where golden foliage, winding trails, and Highland cattle create postcard-perfect scenes. Other top spots include Kelvingrove Park, Queen's Park, and the Forth & Clyde Canal, all ideal for an autumn amble.

Visit our autumn walks page for more inspiration.

New restaurant openings

Glasgow's food and drink scene continues to thrive with exciting new openings:

• Dishoom adds Bombay café culture to the city centre with a much-anticipated Glasgow branch.
• The Delphine is a vibrant all-day café bar nestled in the heart of Glasgow's Princes Square. Delicious brunch, lunch, and dinner is served alongside expertly crafted cocktails.
• The team behind Ho Lee Fook, is opening new spot, Fook Mei near Glasgow's Barras Market this autumn. They will be serving tasty Asian street food inspired by Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Their menu is set to include dishes like hand-cut noodles and spicy chicken, promising fresh, flavourful meals in a lively setting.

For more inspiration and to plan your trip, visit: visitglasgow.com

ENDS

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Notes to Editors

The Visit Glasgow brand is managed by the city's destination team, part of Glasgow Life. The team promotes the city's outstanding tourism offer across UK and international markets, through inspiring marketing campaigns and partnership-working with the city's tourism and hospitality industry.

Glasgow is a world-leading destination, with top media and travel brands – from Time Out, and TripAdvisor, to Condé Nast Traveller, and Lonely Planet – continuing to praise the city as one of the world's friendliest and culturally-rich destinations.

2026 marks a major milestone for Glasgow as major international events, including Glasgow International, and the Commonwealth Games, will ensure the eyes of the world are fixed on the city again next year.