The costumes are coming out, the pumpkins are ready and Halloween lands on a Saturday this year. If you're still deciding what to do, there's a singalong in Dumbarton, outdoor adventures for the children and a market for anyone who would rather come home with something nice for their tea.
Here's what's caught my eye for 29 October–4 November, with this week's picks concentrated on the Halloween weekend.
Saturday: Singing Kettle favourites in Dumbarton
Artie's Singing Kettle – Halloween comes to the Denny Civic Theatre on Saturday 31 October, with shows at 11am and 1pm, each lasting an hour.
Costumes are encouraged, and the council describes the show as nothing too scary for younger children. Expect familiar Singing Kettle songs and plenty of joining in. One for the grown-ups who remember the songs as much as the wee ones discovering them.
Where: Denny Civic Theatre, St Mary's Way, Dumbarton, G82 1NL.
Tickets: £12 plus £1.01 booking fee per person. Adults and children need tickets; babies under six months who don't need a seat are free.
A spooky wander through Geilston
Geilston Garden in Cardross has a Halloween trail on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, 11am–3pm.
Follow the seasonal trail, then have a go at a Halloween craft activity, with a goody bag to take home. The Geilston Book Gnomes are also making a final visit: there may be a book to discover and take home, while stocks last.
Where: Geilston Garden, Main Road, Cardross, G82 5HD.
Trail price: £4, with an Eventbrite booking fee listed by Destination Helensburgh. Check with the garden about any separate admission charge before booking.
It's outdoors, so bring the waterproofs and shoes that can cope with an autumn garden.
A little Halloween detective work at Loch Lomond
The Big Wild Halloween Trail at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond, Gartocharn, runs until Sunday 1 November, 10am–3pm daily.
Children hunt for ingredients for a magic potion along the Airey Woodland Trail, with six orange mystery boxes to investigate. It's aimed at ages 5–11, and trail sheets are £4 each, available from the Nature Hub or in advance through the event's booking link.
Normal parking charges apply to non-members. Last entry is listed as 3pm, but give yourselves time to enjoy the trail.
Saturday shopping in Helensburgh
Prefer your treats without the tricks? The Autumn Market is in Colquhoun Square on Saturday 31 October, 10am–4pm.
The listing describes a seasonal mix of food producers and craft stalls, with traders varying between markets. Have a browse, find something for the weekend and make time for a cuppa in town.
A weekend of music in Arrochar
Arrochar Music Festival runs from Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November, celebrating Gaelic music and culture with concerts at Three Villages Hall, plus Festival Club sessions at The Village Inn.
The headline line-up gives you three very good reasons to make the trip:
Friday 30 October: An Dannsa Dub.
Saturday 31 October: Joy Dunlop & Friends.
Sunday 1 November: Kim Carnie.
There are workshops across the weekend too. For families, a guising fancy-dress competition for children up to age 15 takes place during the interval of Saturday's Joy Dunlop concert. Check the festival's family ticket offers and admission conditions before booking.
Pick an evening or make a weekend of it. Arrochar is at the head of Loch Long, so plan your journey home if you're staying for the late music sessions.
Further afield: a Friday night of live music
Gus & Eddie's Open Mic Club has a Halloween special at Cove Burgh Hall on Friday 30 October from 7.30pm.
All musical genres are welcome, fancy dress is encouraged and it's BYOB. Entry is £5, or free for performers. A chance to hear local musicians—or give the audience a tune yourself.
Cove is on the Rosneath peninsula, so allow for the journey and plan your lift home.
Who's playing at your local?
Pub bands, karaoke, open-mic nights, quizzes—send them my way. If you run a venue or spot a good night out in Dumbarton, Clydebank, the Vale, Balloch or Helensburgh, reply with the date, time, venue, price and a public event link.
And if you know someone who's still asking what the plan is for Halloween, forward this to them.
See you next Thursday, Mary
Listings checked on 29 October 2026. Times, ticket availability and outdoor-event arrangements can change; check the organiser's latest information before travelling.