Bumper series of events planned for 2025 as success of previous programme revealed

Renfrewshire council’s popular events programme has boosted the local economy by £13.9million and provided almost 10,000 opportunities for local children, young people and local groups to take part in events over the last three years.

The update comes as the programme for 2025 is set out before councillors next week. 

The area’s events calendar begins with the popular Paisley Food and Drink Festival on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 April. 

The two-day event will see a tantalising offer of top street food from across Scotland, fantastic local traders, live music, workshops and more. Visitors will also benefit from an expanded event site after EventScotland confirmed it will award funding to the festival. 

This will be followed by the annual Renfrew and Barshaw Gala Days on Sunday 1 June and Saturday 21 June. 

Paisley’s annual Sma’ Shot Day celebration is one of the world’s oldest workers’ festivals and will take place on Saturday 5 July. 

Summer will also see the return of the Renfrew Pipe Band Competition, which takes place at Robertson Park on Saturday 19 July. 

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore hidden gems and fascinating venues in the area during a full weekend of fun at Renfrewshire’s Doors Open Days on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September.

Paisley Halloween Festival will return with a spine-tingling programme of thrills and frights for all the family on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October, and there will be lots of family fun to bring in the festive season with Christmas events planned in Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone. 

Renfrewshire Council Events Manager, Pauline Allan, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting another year of exciting events for locals and visitors to enjoy in 2025. 

“Our vision is to deliver and support high-quality events that offer positive and memorable experiences for residents and visitors and contribute positively to the lives of local people and the local economy. 

“Our approach has collaboration at its heart and will bring a year-round calendar of events to the area that have been co-designed with local communities, cultural organisations and businesses that are accessible, inclusive and authentic to Renfrewshire. 

“Renfrewshire has firmly established itself as a key destination on Scotland’s events map and we will build on this through to 2028, continuing to drive visitor interest and footfall to our town centres while offering increased opportunities for local people to participate in and benefit from the programme.” 

The report, being considered by councillors next week, also sets out a new events strategy for the area that will shape development of the Council’s annual events programme until 2028. 

Development of the new strategy was informed by evaluation of the council’s existing events, the Future Paisley programme and through consultation and engagement with local audiences and the cultural sector. 

An online survey generated over 700 responses and was followed by four focus groups to enable in-depth conversations with residents, local groups and businesses. 

The engagement exercise showed that respondents recognise the importance of local economic benefits and were interested in seeing increased engagement with businesses, community and cultural groups to strengthen collaboration on events in the area. 

The new strategy recognises the importance of collaboration between event producers, businesses and the cultural, public and third sectors to sustain a vibrant and impactful events programme that will continue to deliver for Renfrewshire through three strategic priorities – events that are unique to our place, events that are good for business, and events that are informed and open to everyone. 

For more information on upcoming events in Renfrewshire, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/events.