17th October - 2nd November 2024

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General Information

The festival will run from 17th October 2024 until 31st October 2024. There are various events taking place across this period. Please visit our [programme page] for specific dates and times of all events.

The events take place across various venues/locations across Inverclyde. Please visit our programme page for specific locations.

We have numerous accessible events as part of the Galoshans Festival. Please visit the specific events pages to read the access information.

The Galoshans Festival in Inverclyde, Scotland, is a revived tradition that harks back to ancient customs surrounding Halloween and Samhain. Historically, “Galoshans” refers to the practice of guising and mumming, where performers would go door-to-door acting out plays in exchange for food or money, particularly around the Halloween season. These performances often depicted themes of death and rebirth, reflecting the festival’s roots in the Celtic celebration of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest and the onset of winter. The festival saw a decline over the 20th century but has been revitalised in recent years, incorporating elements of theatre, art, and community engagement to celebrate Inverclyde’s cultural heritage. Today, the Galoshans Festival blends traditional customs with contemporary arts, featuring parades, performances, and workshops that draw both locals and visitors into the vibrant spirit of the season.

A celebration of creativity with community at its heart

The Galoshans Festival in Inverclyde, Scotland, is run by a consortium of partners within Inverclyde. This year’s lead partners are RIG Arts, Creative Producers Feral and The Beacon Art Centre. Supported with programming by Inverclyde Libraries, Watt Institution, Kayos Theatre Company, Greenock Rock Choir, Magic Torch Comics, MHZ, The Wyllieum and Oi Musica/YMI Youth Band. Funded by Creative Scotland. The festival also collaborates with a variety of partners, including local councils, schools, artists, and community groups, to bring the festival to life. The organisation focuses on community-driven projects and aims to use art to foster social inclusion, education, and cultural expression. By involving diverse members of the community in the planning and execution of the festival, this ensures that the Galoshans Festival remains a dynamic and inclusive event that celebrates Inverclyde’s rich heritage and contemporary cultural landscape.

This year’s Street Party will take place at Custom House Quay, East India Harbour and The Beacon Art Centre, Greenock on Tuesday 29th October 2024 (6-8pm).

Tickets & Admission

Details on how to purchase tickets will be detailed within each event listing. Please visit your chosen event(s) to find out how to secure your ticket.

Yes, we have numerous free events across the festival. Please visit your chosen event(s) to find out more information.

Please refer to each event listing for cancellation policy. In regards to free but ticketed events – we urge you that if you have booked and can no longer attend the event – that you cancel your ticket so someone else can book in your place. This is particularly relevant to small capacity events.

Dracula The Musical event – will incur a booking fee. Please refer to the booking page to see the individual fee for each ticket type.

Frankenstein; A Radio Play on Stage at the Beacon Arts Centre – will incur a booking fee of 0.50p. Please refer to the booking page for more information.

For tickets available on iBookedOnline, we will operate a waitlist for each event just simply sign up for alerts. Once a ticket(s) has become available, you will be notified.

Event Details

There will be a range of events during Galoshans Festival such as street performances, art exhibitions, stage plays, light exhibitions, interactive performances, workshops, storytelling and more! View the full list of events here.

You can view the schedule of events here.

Yes, we have workshops and interactive activities to get involved in. Please visit our programme page and filter by event type.

Yes, we have plenty of family-friendly events. Please visit our programme page and filter by event type.

Bookers will be contacted in advance by either email or phone if an event is required to be cancelled. For outdoor or site specific events – we have arranged these (where possible) with a ‘wet weather back up plan’. If an event is changed to a ‘wet weather back up plan’ – where relevant we will get in touch to advise of any changes. 

 

As outdoor/site specific events will be taking place in late October – we advise attendees to dress warm, for wet weather and with sturdy footwear.

Travel Accommodation & Facilities

Yes, there are local hotels and accommodation if you are planning a trip to Inverclyde. Please visit here for more information or visit Discover Inverclyde.

Please see individual event pages to find out the access information for each event.

Safety and Policies

  • Events will be managed by trained staff with a First Aider on site. 
  • All events have been appropriately risk assessed, with adjustments in place to ensure all audience and staff members safety. Any safety concerns can be brought to a member of staff.
  • Galoshans Festival has been working in collaboration with Inverclyde Council’s Planning Department and local police/fire brigade successfully for the last 8 years. Previously, Planning Permission has been given in kind by the council for the Street Party Event.
  • Event Location(s) are carefully chosen in advance to ensure space is plenty and walkways are even and flat.
  • There will be signs expressing uneven walkways/trip hazards throughout the site. Before the event(s) staff will secure the area and tape off any trip hazards with black and yellow tape. Participants should stay within authorised areas of the site to avoid any hazards
  • The sites will be away from public roads, or if not possible (where relevant) road closures will be applied for from the council so that only emergency vehicles have access.
  • Children should be supervised at all times with a minimum of two adults present. All creative play, including excessive movement/crawling/jumping will be supervised by the lead workshop artist.
  • All participants will be advised on safe ways of movement. All objects that could lead to injury will be removed from paths and participants will be made aware of where it is appropriate to play.

 

  • Use covid sense.
  • Participants and staff will be asked not to attend if they or anyone they have been in contact with have displayed any COVID-19 symptoms within the last 14 days. All Covid rules and restrictions have been lifted in Scotland – use Covid Sense.
  • Participants will be asked to contact us if they start to develop symptoms within the next 72 hours. All participants and staff should use hand sanitiser and maintain good hygiene. All materials should be sanitised before and after use. No materials should be shared at the one time.
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Some events may be dog friendly. Please get in touch if you are planning to bring your dog to one of our events and would like to clarify: email info@rigarts.org or call RIG Arts directly on 01475 720847.

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Volunteering and Sponsorship

If you are interested in volunteering at Galoshans Festival, please visit here to find out which events you can get involved in.

Contact Information

For further information on any of our events, please contact us here or call RIG Arts directly on 01475 720847.

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Rig Arts: Charity No: SC042242

Supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the

Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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