Aberdeen's summer of the sea begins
23 May 2025
Aberdeen is set to make waves this summer with the Festival of the Sea 2025, a vibrant two-week celebration from 12 - 27 July that honours the city's rich maritime heritage. Timed to coincide with the return of the Tall Ships Races to Aberdeen after nearly three decades, the festival promises a diverse array of events and activities for all ages.
A sea of exhibitions and events
The Aberdeen Art Gallery will host Monsters of the Deep from May 17 to October 26, an exhibition that delves into oceanic myths and marine science, featuring intriguing artifacts like the skull of a killer whale and the tooth of an extinct megalodon. Meanwhile, the Aberdeen Maritime Museum's Tales of the Tall Ships exhibition, which started March 22, highlights Aberdeen's historical ties to these majestic vessels through paintings, ship models and photographs.
Families can look forward to the Sea Dragon interactive performances on July 12 and 13 at Cowdray Hall, where children can join Kipper the Sea Dragon on a quest to restore colour to the coral reef.
Community celebrations
The festival will also feature community-led events in the coastal spots of Fittie / Footdee and Torry, coordinated by creative producers Open Road. Activities will include exhibitions, film screenings, arts and crafts, nature walks and more, celebrating the communities' deep connections to the sea .
A highlight of the festival is the arrival of three Tall Ships at Aberdeen's Harbour. The Swan will offer sail training sessions for young people aged 15 to 25, while the TS Royalist and the historic Reaper, built in 1902 and featured in the series "Outlander," will be open for public viewing on July 19 and 20.
Quayside concerts
Adding to the festivities, the Quayside Concerts at Peterson Seabase will feature performances by renowned artists. Scottish favourites Deacon Blue will kick off the concerts on 18 July, followed by the Ministry of Sound's 30-piece classical orchestra on 19 July. Tide Lines and Calum Bowie will take to the stage on July 20, with the festival wrapping up on 21 July with an electrifying performance by the Kaiser Chiefs. Please note tickets for Deacon Blue and Kaiser Chiefs are now sold out, but fans can still join the waitlist for a chance to attend.
With an expected attendance of over 400,000 visits, the Festival of the Sea 2025 is poised to be one of Scotland's most significant events this summer, offering a blend of cultural, educational and entertainment experiences that celebrate Aberdeen's enduring relationship with the sea.
For more information and to view the full programme of events, visit the Festival of the Sea 2025 official programme.
We'd love to be part of your maritime adventures! Don't forget to tag us @VisitABDN or use our hashtags #VisitABDN or #BeautifulABDN for the chance to appear across our social channels.