A vibrant fusion of creativity and community spirit

Prepare for a hauntingly good time and spirited celebrations – Inverclyde's cherished
Galoshans Festival is back for its 11th year! This landmark event is set to be the grandest
yet, offering an enchanting mix of art, culture, and Halloween excitement from Friday, 17th
October to Thursday, 30th October 2025.

Building on past successes, Galoshans Festival 2025, deeply rooted in Halloween traditions,
is dedicated to showcasing Inverclyde's rich artistic and cultural landscape. This year boasts
a dynamic mix of Galoshans consortium partners, including festival leads RIG Arts and Feral
Arts. Programming support comes from The Beacon Arts Centre, with additional support
from Inverclyde Libraries, Kayos - Inverclyde Youth Theatre, Travelling Gallery, The
Wyllieum, Waterfront Cinema, Theatre School of Scotland, Magic Torch Comics and Oi
Musica/YMI Youth Band, facilitated by Inverclyde Council. Funded by Creative Scotland,
Scottish Government Investing in Communities Fund, The National Lottery Community
Fund, Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative and Film Hub Scotland, the festival will
present a diverse array of events and activities, from captivating art installations and
theatrical performances to lively music and street spectacles – truly something for everyone!
The festival's highlight is the much-anticipated Galoshans Mini Parade and Street Party,
scheduled for Thursday, 30th October 2025, from 5:45 pm to 8 pm. Join the Parade from
Custom House Way to Custom House Quay, where we’ll kick off the street party and all the
usual Galoshans fun!

Karen Orr, Chief Executive of Rig Arts, said: “Since RIG Arts took on the
Galoshans Festival in 2017, we’ve worked closely with our Consortium Partners to
grow its cultural impact and reach. We’re proud to have shaped a festival that’s firmly
rooted in the community – inclusive, accessible, and inspired by Inverclyde’s unique
Halloween traditions. Galoshans is more than just an arts festival – it’s a vibrant
celebration that brings people together, showcases local creativity, and welcomes
visitors to experience the warmth and generous spirit of Inverclyde. RIG Arts loves
Galoshans! Supporting artists and creating free, high-quality cultural experiences for
everyone is what it is all about.”

Feral producer, Kathryn Boyle, shared her enthusiasm: “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.”

Feral X Galoshans 2025 Takeover Programme

For the 4th year running, Galoshans Festival will be bringing you a takeover from Feral
featuring a series of playful performances and curious encounters across the region. Aimed
to continue Galoshan’s ethos of bringing high-quality arts experiences to Inverclyde that
focus on celebrating people and place. Highlights include:
● “Bloom” - part performance, part ceilidh: a new dance production combines
percussive dance, poetic video projections and ceilidh culture to tell the personal
story of Tokyo-born, dancer Kae Sakurai as she carves out a new home in Scotland.
Featuring step dance, video projection and live music taking place at The Beacon
Art Centre.
● “Flock” by Bex Anson – an immersive, live dance poem staged outside Port
Glasgow Library. Inspired by the mesmerising flow of bird murmurations,
participants are invited to a hands-on workshop where they learn about concrete
poetry inspired by the themes of migration and movement. They are then invited to
mark make and scribe their concrete poems outdoors while a contemporary dancer
weaves in and out of the flock of scribes. Creating a vibrant, ephemeral artwork for
Port Glasgow.
● “Pop!” A family-friendly pop-up dance performance by Vince Virr & KJ
Clarke-Davis visiting The Wylliem/Greenock Ocean Terminal, a colourful, dynamic
and visually vibrant dance duet exploring adolescence that will leave you and your
family energised.
● Delighters present Scotland’s travelling circus ensemble “Cirqulation” and their
latest production “Journey” at Inverkip Community Hub. Each vibrant performance
showcases thrilling acts by top artists and features a local guest act, with a fresh mix
of aerial, dance, and storytelling, all united by movement, emotion, and the journeys
we share.
● At Southwest Library / The Drying Green Community Garden, artist Hamshaya
Rajkumar will lead “Seeds: The Taste of Galoshans” - a workshop for growers,
cooks, and curious eaters alike! This session will explore how seed saving over many
years can carry flavours that we cherish and discuss the idea of a new “Galoshan's
vegetable”!
● Puppeteers Thingumajig Theatre bring “Barn Owl” to the Galoshans Street Party.
Barn Owl’s illuminated and majestic 5 metre wingspan glides above the heads of the
crowd whilst the caller encourages her to stop to share words of wisdom and
greetings with the audience. Who knows? They might have their own special dance
that they can share with you. Part of Galoshans Street Party.

Stay Spooky and Connected

For more information on the Galoshans Festival 2025, including the full festival
program and event details, visit the official Galoshans Festival website:
https://www.galoshansfestival.co.uk

Follow Galoshans Festival on social media:
● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GaloshansFest/
● Twitter: https://x.com/GaloshansFest
● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galoshansfest/

For queries, please contact:
RIG Arts - info@rigarts.org
Feral - weareferal@outlook.com
Credit: Funded by Creative Scotland