A POPULAR Inverclyde festival is set to make its much-anticipated return this October with a monster mashup of traditional and modern events.
Running from October 16 to 31, the Galoshans Festival will bring together contemporary performance, visual art, and Halloween heritage to create a packed programme for all ages.
The highlight of the festival will be the annual street party, which this year will feature a special guest.
Led by RIG Arts, Feral Arts, and the Beacon Arts Centre, the festival is supported by a wide network of partners including Inverclyde Libraries, The Wyllieum, Magic Torch Comics, and Kayos - Inverclyde Youth Theatre.
Karen Orr, chief executive of RIG Arts, said: "RIG Arts has worked closely with our Galoshans Consortium Partners over the years to grow the festival’s cultural impact and reach even more people.
"In 2026 we’re excited to keep building a festival that’s rooted in our community, inclusive, accessible, and inspired by Inverclyde’s unique Halloween traditions.
"Galoshans is much more than an arts festival, it’s a lively celebration of creativity, connection, and community spirit."
The festival is funded by Creative Scotland, the National Lottery Community Fund, and the Scottish Government’s Investing in Communities Fund.
Karen Townsend, co-director of Beacon Arts Centre, said: "We’re delighted to once again receive funding for The Beacon to take part in Galoshans, Inverclyde’s annual highlight of the cultural calendar.
"Our Creative Engagement team has been busy developing a fantastic programme of activity, including Frightful Faces of Inverclyde, where an artist will work with local schoolchildren to create colourful characters that will be projected onto the building alongside our Backstage Spooky Tours, where the theatre itself comes to life with unexpected characters around every corner."
This year marks the fifth year of collaboration with independent arts producers Feral, who will deliver a programme of visual theatre, puppetry, outdoor arts, and dance.
Highlights include a giant spider puppet at the street party, immersive pop-up performances, and a family-friendly dance duet.
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