Plan your festive fun in Paisley with our detailed event guide. Whether you're a Paisley regular or a once-in-a-lifetime guest, this guide makes your holidays magical.
Kick off the season with the enchanting Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On, illuminating the city with vibrant colors and festive cheer. Experience the magic of The Snowman with Live Orchestra, where the timeless tale is brought to life with musical accompaniment. And don't forget, Paisley Winterfest is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring ice skating, market stalls, and seasonal treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Paisley Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Paisley
- Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On
- The Snowman with Live Orchestra
- Paisley Winterfest
- Paisley Farmers' Market (Christmas Edition)
- Paisley Christmas Fayre
- Santa's Grotto at Paisley Centre
- Paisley Christmas Ice Rink
- Glen Cinema Remembrance Service
- Paisley Philharmonic Choir Christmas Concert
Paisley Holiday Light Displays
Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On
What to Expect:
Community-wide celebration marking the start of the holiday season
Description:
Paisley's historic town center transforms as thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the streets. This annual tradition brings together locals and visitors to witness the grand illumination. Children can join a lantern-making workshop before the event, creating their own festive lights to carry during the switch-on parade. The ceremony harks back to the town's rich textile heritage, with light displays often featuring Paisley pattern motifs. As the lights flicker to life, the air fills with the sound of carols sung by local choirs.
Website:
Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On
Paisley Holiday Markets and Shopping
Paisley Farmers' Market (Christmas Edition)
What to Expect:
Seasonal produce and locally-made holiday gifts
Description:
The Paisley Farmers' Market takes on a festive flair for its Christmas edition. Local farmers and producers offer seasonal specialties like Brussels sprouts still on the stalk and hand-reared turkeys. Artisans showcase unique gifts, from hand-knitted Paisley pattern scarves to small-batch whisky. You can sample traditional Scottish holiday fare, including Clootie dumpling and Dundee cake. The market continues a centuries-old tradition of local trade in Paisley, once a major center for textile production and commerce.
Website:
Paisley Farmers' Market (Christmas Edition)
Paisley Christmas Fayre
What to Expect:
Victorian-themed Christmas market and entertainment
Description:
Step back in time at the Paisley Christmas Fayre, where Victorian-era charm meets modern holiday cheer. Stallholders don period costumes, selling traditional crafts and gifts reminiscent of 19th-century Scotland. Visitors can watch demonstrations of forgotten crafts like candle-making and lace-tatting. The fayre features roaming performers, including a Dickensian carol group and a penny-farthing cyclist. This event celebrates Paisley's prosperous Victorian past, when it was a global center for thread production and the namesake of the famous Paisley pattern.
Website:
Paisley Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Snowman with Live Orchestra
What to Expect:
Classic animated film accompanied by a live orchestra
Description:
The beloved tale of The Snowman comes to life in Paisley with a unique twist. A full orchestra performs Howard Blake's iconic score live as the animated film plays on a big screen. This immersive experience allows you to hear every nuance of the music, from the gentle flute to the soaring strings. Children and adults alike can rediscover the joy of this timeless story, first published in 1978. The event takes place in Paisley Town Hall, a stunning example of Victorian architecture that adds to the atmosphere.
Website:
The Snowman with Live Orchestra
Paisley Philharmonic Choir Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Blend of traditional and contemporary Christmas music
Description:
The Paisley Philharmonic Choir's Christmas Concert showcases the town's rich musical heritage. This talented ensemble performs a diverse repertoire, from centuries-old carols to modern holiday compositions. The concert features a world premiere of a piece commissioned from a local composer, celebrating Paisley's ongoing cultural renaissance. Audience members can join in for a rousing rendition of traditional Scottish songs. The performance takes place in the acoustically superb Paisley Abbey, whose history dates back to 1163, providing a stunning backdrop for the choral music.
Website:
Paisley Philharmonic Choir Christmas Concert
Paisley Other Holiday Activities
Paisley Winterfest
What to Expect:
Multi-day festival celebrating local culture and winter traditions
Description:
Paisley Winterfest transforms the town into a hub of winter activities and Scottish traditions. Visitors can try their hand at curling, a sport with deep roots in Scotland dating back to the 16th century. The festival showcases local artisans, offering unique handcrafted gifts that reflect Paisley's creative spirit. Street performers entertain crowds with fire-eating displays and traditional Scottish music. The aroma of mulled wine and freshly baked shortbread wafts through the air, tempting passersby to indulge in seasonal treats.
Website:
Santa's Grotto at Paisley Centre
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa experience in a historic shopping center
Description:
Santa's Grotto at Paisley Centre offers more than just a photo opportunity. Children embark on a journey through a winter forest, complete with animatronic animals and twinkling lights. They can help the elves in Santa's workshop, decorating cookies and wrapping presents. The grotto is housed in the Paisley Centre, originally the site of a 19th-century thread mill, blending modern retail with industrial heritage. Each child receives a small gift made from recycled materials, promoting environmental awareness during the holiday season.
Website:
Santa's Grotto at Paisley Centre
Paisley Christmas Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly synthetic ice rink in the heart of town
Description:
Paisley's Christmas Ice Rink brings winter fun without the environmental impact. The synthetic ice allows for skating regardless of temperature, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the season. Skaters glide beneath strings of energy-efficient LED lights, creating a sparkling canopy overhead. Beginners can join skating lessons led by professional instructors, while more experienced skaters show off their moves during evening disco sessions. The rink sits in County Square, surrounded by Paisley's stunning architecture, including the 850-year-old Paisley Abbey.
Website:
Glen Cinema Remembrance Service
What to Expect:
Solemn commemoration of a tragic local event
Description:
The Glen Cinema Remembrance Service honors the victims of the 1929 Glen Cinema disaster, a pivotal moment in Paisley's history. This annual event brings the community together to reflect on the tragedy that led to significant changes in public safety regulations. Attendees can participate in a candlelit vigil, symbolizing hope and remembrance. The service includes readings from survivors' accounts and a performance by a local children's choir. This poignant ceremony takes place near the site of the former cinema, now marked by a memorial sculpture.
Website:
Glen Cinema Remembrance Service