Galoshans Festival 2024 Returns for Spooktacular 10th Anniversary

Get ready for ghoulish grins and festive fun - Inverclyde’s beloved Galoshans Festival returns for its 10th anniversary!

Article Source: Galoshans Festival
Last Updated: 2 September 2024 12:27

This milestone event promises the largest celebration to date with a spellbinding blend of art, culture, and Halloween festivities from Sunday, 17th October to Saturday, 2nd November 2024.

On track to surpass all its previous achievements, Galoshans Festival 2024, centred around Halloween traditions, aims to showcase the wealth of art and culture Inverclyde has to offer. With the biggest Galoshans consortium of partners than ever - RIG Arts, Feral and The Beacon Art Centre. Supported with programming by Inverclyde Libraries, Watt Institution, Kayos Theatre Company, Greenock Rock Choir, Magic Torch Comics, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, TRANCND, The Wyllieum and Oi Musica/YMI Youth Band via Inverclyde Council. Funded by Creative Scotland, the festival will feature a diverse range of events and activities, from art installations and theatre to live music and street performances, there’s something for everyone!

The festival culminates in the highly anticipated Galoshans Street Party, which this year will be taking place on Tuesday 29th October (6-8 pm) at Custom House Square, East India Harbour and Beacon Arts Centre. Featuring ‘Sail Loft’ by Scottish company Oceanallover, an otherworldly performance, live music and spellbinding costume alongside a spectacular 10-metre-tall tower installation on Greenock’s waterfront. Also proudly presenting performances by Greenock Rock Choir and OiMusica / Where’s the One? (In association with Youth Music Services) Street Band. Greenock Burns Club Spooky Storytelling and NoNonsense Productions- Performance of Frankenstein. With the usual street party favourites of the Galoshans Giants, Arts & Crafts, Immersive Sensory Art Bus, FacePainting, DJ/Music and projections.

Karen Orr, Chief Executive of Rig Arts said: “It’s amazing to be celebrating 10 years of the Galoshans Festival. RIG has been a driving force in its development. Seeing the festival transforming and growing with strong grassroots support, local consortium partners and accessible cutting-edge cultural experiences for the wider community is fantastic.”

For the third consecutive year, Feral will present a curated takeover featuring playful performances and curious encounters across the region. This year's highlights include:
• MHz’s STRUT Performance and Projection Parade: a dazzling night-time parade celebrating Inverclyde’s talent through dance, light and projection on the streets of Port Glasgow and Greenock.
• Animated tales of ghosts, dreams and the supernatural from Paper Cinema. Vivid pen and ink animation, puppetry, and a treasure trove of acoustic and electronic sounds at the Beacon Arts Centre.
• Meditative film installation This Endless Sea by artist Chloe Smith. An exploration of Grief housed inside a specially designed coastal shelter at James Watt Dock.
• Strange Loop’s Foraging Workshop and Interactive Performance: An engaging, hands-on experience discovering the hidden beauty of nature through art, music, and technology with Sita Pieraccini and Jamie Wardrop at Inverkip Community Hub.
• Dumpling Poetry at The Drying Green with artist Sean Wai Keung: An Autumnal dumpling-making workshop that is also a poetry reading with stories of food, family and migration.
• Oceanallover’s Visual Performance Poetry: Bringing East India Harbour to life with otherworldy performance and spellbinding costume alongside a spectacular 10-metre-tall tower installation as part of the Galoshan’s Street Party.

Feral producer, Kathryn Boyle, said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with Galoshans Festival again this year to bring an array of pop-up performances, installations and interactive encounters to distinct locations across Inverclyde which celebrate people and place.”

Councillor Francesca Brennan, Inverclyde Council’s vice-convener of education and communities, said: “It's a real achievement that we're coming up for ten years since the Galoshans Festival started and congratulations to all involved over the years in establishing this as a key fixture in the Inverclyde events calendar. I’m pleased that we, as a council, are able to support the festival once again through our various services and particularly those involved with the programming, including libraries, the Watt Institution, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, and the youth music service. The festival does a wonderful job in bringing together so many talented creative groups and organisations and also the community as a whole to celebrate the uniquely Inverclyde Halloween tradition of ‘going Galoshans’ and I’m looking forward to the 2024 instalment of the festival.”

For more information on the Galoshans Festival 2024, including the full festival program, event details and a chance to win fang-tastic prizes, visit the official Galoshans Festival website: www.galoshansfestival.co.uk

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Cast Announced for Flora, a new musical coming to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow

The full cast has been revealed for Flora which sees one of Scotland's most famous daughters, Flora MacDonald, take centre stage to tell her own tale!

Christmas in Edinburgh and Glasgow: Celebrate the festive season with Candlelight Concerts

Featuring classic Christmas carols, this live, multi-sensory musical experience will light up St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral and Merchants House and The Trades Hall for an unforgettable evening.

Innis & Gunn to open the biggest festive beer hall in Glasgow at Winter Wonderland on The Green

Glasgow is getting its largest-ever Christmas beer hall, and it’s all down to award-winning brewer Innis & Gunn.

Find a festive backdrop in Glasgow and the West

From frosty gardens to cosy tearooms, National Trust for Scotland places in Glasgow and the West are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.

Glaswegians invited to Panto Town as Glasgow 850 finishes with festive flourish

Glaswegians are being urged to embrace the unique spirit of the city's pantomimes with the launch of Get You in Panto Town!

Buchanan Galleries celebrates the season of giving with festive family fun

The magic of Christmas has arrived at Buchanan Galleries, with a heartwarming line-up of festive activities taking place throughout November and December.

Scottish Ballet creates a brand new wee version of the big ballet

Scottish Ballet's Wee Nutcracker is coming to Glasgow's Tramway this December. The beloved festive ballet, The Nutcracker, has been specially adapted for wee ones aged 5+ and their families!

The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz: New adult panto brings comedy to Scotland in January

January needn't be a drag as Scotland's brand-new adult panto, The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz, hits the road, arriving just when the country needs a burst of joy!

Matthew Kelly and George Costigan lead new production of Waiting for Godot at the Citz

Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star as Estragon and Vladimir in a new production of Waiting for Godot, co-produced with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Octagon Theatre Bolton.

Hoolie in the Hydro opens doors to young Gaels for Glasgow 850

More than 1,300 Glasgow schoolchildren are being given the opportunity to access live music as part of a special tie-up between Hoolie in the Hydro and Glasgow 850.

ASN sessions to be held at Winter Wonderland Glasgow Green

Dedicated ASN sessions are to be hosted at Glasgow's Winter Wonderland at Glasgow Green to enable families in need of support to have a festive day out.

77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts awarded with highest honour given to volunteer led groups

The 77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts has been recognised with The King's Award for Voluntary Service 2025, the highest honour for volunteer-led groups in the UK.

Topgolf celebrating 25 years of fun with a week of deals and prizes

Topgolf's journey started in Watford at the turn of the millennium and has since grown into a global enterprise with more than 100 venues worldwide.

The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment

Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.

Glasgow Fort unwraps festive celebrations

Christmas magic is set to return to Glasgow Fort on Thursday 20th November as the centre unveils its seasonal line-up!

Global fashion brand Stradivarius opens first Glasgow store at Silverburn

Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, opens Glasgow's first-ever Stradivarius store, further elevating its fashion offering.

Boney M ft Maizie and Newton Faulkner join Fun For Life Fest lineup

Boney M featuring Maizie Williams are set to co-headline the Fun For Life Fest on Saturday 16 May 2026, with Newton Faulkner also joining the line up.

Trafalgar Entertainment becomes official sponsor of Box Office Radio

Global live entertainment company – Trafalgar Entertainment – has become the official sponsor of Box Office Radio.

New book launches in Busby by local author, Marissa McCudden

Debut author, Marissa McCudden, has launched her new book, 'There's Lots of Different Types of Clever' with illustrator, Michael Spy on Amazon.

Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026

The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.

Medea to tour Scotland in 2026

Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).

The Ivy Buchanan Street unveils festive set menu for 2025

From traditional Turkey Ballotine to a tangy Tamarind Beetroot & Endive Salad the festive set menu brings the best of festive flavours, reimagined by The Ivy across two or three courses.

Glasgow will shine bright this Christmas with a new city centre lighting trail

Glasgow's Christmas lights are a much-loved tradition, and this year they will shine brighter than ever with a brand-new Christmas lighting trail set to illuminate the city centre from 20 November!

KOCHCHI expands to Glasgow, bringing Sri Lankan heat to the West End

The West End will welcome KOCHCHI, the award-winning Sri Lankan street food brand, as it opens its first standalone restaurant in the former The Hanoi Bike Shop on Ruthven Lane.

Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland

Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!

Marti Pellow stars as Scrooge in a major new musical production coming to Glasgow in 2026

The pop prince and former frontman of Wet Wet Wet realises his life-long dream of bringing the iconic Christmas Carol character to life on a major stage!

Behind the Beans: Cast of Pavilion Panto, Jock and the Beanstalk, visit the oldest sweet shop in Glasgow

The cast of much-anticipated Pavilion panto Jock & the Beanstalk were spotted out and about at the Barras this afternoon, with a visit to Glickman's to sample their famous jelly beans!

Step into the magic at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.

Tesla Cybertruck lands at Silverburn... come and see the future

Glasgow EV enthusiasts are in for a treat this week as the famous Tesla Cybertruck has arrived at Silverburn, Scotland’s leading retail and leisure destination.