A growing reputation as a festival destination is helping transform Paisley's cultural and economic future.
A year-round calendar of events is building the town's profile as a vibrant cultural hub in Scotland, drawing visitors from across the country and providing a boost to the local economy.
OneRen recently announced the addition of a dedicated arts festival for 2026 to Paisley's expanding programme, complementing existing events like the comedy and book festivals.
These sit alongside Renfrewshire Council-led favourites including the food and Halloween festivals, as well as attractions developed by the Paisley First Business Improvement District.
Paisley Town Hall and Paisley Arts Centre—both managed by OneRen—have also hosted a growing number of high-profile performances.
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Michelle Woods, head of commercial activity and major events at leisure and cultural charity OneRen, said: "Paisley’s stature as a festivals town is growing all of the time - and that’s great for everyone across Renfrewshire.
"Increasing numbers of performers know that we have superb venues.
"Audiences regionally and nationally are drawn by the high-calibre of acts and events that we are able to stage.
“It all helps to open peoples’ eyes about what a great destination Paisley is, boosting business along the way as visitors and locals alike enjoy other places to eat, drink and visit.
"Growing numbers of people are realising why this is Scotland’s town of the year.”
The inaugural Paisley Arts Festival will run from March 27 to 29, featuring headline events celebrating the life and work of Paisley’s queen of style Pam Hogg and a special show celebrating the town’s musical story, from punk to Paolo Nutini.
The festivals form part of OneRen’s broader events growth strategy, which includes the Paisley Book Festival, launched in 2020.
The book festival programme, announced last week, includes appearances from renowned crime writers Val McDermid, Doug Johnstone and Christopher Brookmyre, as well as broadcaster Sally Magnusson and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
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Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, chair of OneRen, said: "We’re incredibly grateful to Creative Scotland for supporting our festivals programme.
"These events are not only opening up new cultural opportunities for Paisley—and the whole of Renfrewshire—but creating economic ones too.
"I am incredibly excited about the launch of the arts festival, love the line-up for the book festival and cannot wait to find out which acts are heading our way for the comedy festival too.
"These are fantastic platforms upon which our region will build.”
Paisley was named Scotland’s Town of the Year in the 2025 Scotland Loves Local Awards, with judges praising its remarkable culturally-led revival and regeneration.
That transformation is set to continue, with work now underway to fit out the redeveloped Paisley Museum.
Paisley Comedy Festival takes place in September. Its line-up will be announced shortly.
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