Council awards funding to boost visitor offer at RSPB Lochwinnoch
February 11, 2026
Renfrewshire is set to host a spectacular programme of major events across 2026.
Organised by Renfrewshire Council, the bumper calendar of free to attend events will see the Johnstone Fire Engine Rally return for the first time since 2019, alongside area highlights Paisley Halloween Festival and Paisley Food and Drink Festival, taking place this year on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 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 in the stunning backdrop of Paisley Abbey.
This will be followed by the annual Renfrew and Barshaw Gala Days on Sunday 7 June and Saturday 20 June.
Paisley’s annual Sma’ Shot Day celebration is one of the world’s oldest workers’ festivals and will take place on Saturday 4 July.
The holiday takes its name from a famous dispute between the local shawl weavers and manufacturers in the 19th century and is held on the first Saturday in July to mark the time of year when the weavers and their families would traditionally take their holidays.
The sound of pipes and drums will be coming to Robertson Park as Renfrew Pipe Band Competition takes place on Saturday 18 July.
Johnstone Fire Engine Rally will take place on Saturday 15 August. Families can enjoy the parade of vintage fire engines through the town before an afternoon of family fun in Houstoun Square.
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 5 and Sunday 6 September.
Widely regarded as one of the best events of its kind in the UK, Paisley Halloween Festival will return with a spine-tingling programme of thrills and frights for all the family on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October.
There will be lots of free family fun to bring in the festive season with Christmas Lights Switch-On events in Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone in November. Christmas Lights Switch-On events will also take place in Linwood and Erskine in partnership with the local community. The extended festive programme is made possible by extra investment from the council to work with local communities to deliver a calendar of cultural events for the area’s five main town centres.
Events in 2025 attracted more than 120,000 attendees and generated more than £4.4million for the local economy.
Leader of Renfrewshire Council, Councillor Iain Nicolson, said: “I’m delighted to see another year of thrilling events in the area for locals and visitors to enjoy.
“Renfrewshire has firmly established itself as a key destination on Scotland’s events map and the programme continues to attract visitors, drive footfall to our towns and villages, and offer increased opportunities for local people to participate in and benefit from the great selection of events on offer.”
For more information about upcoming events in the area, visit www.paisley.is
