Festival of the Sea 12-27 July
With the Tall Ships on the horizon, art, heritage, sport and leisure organisations across Aberdeen are set to present a raft of maritime-themed events for local people and visitors to the city.
The Festival of the Sea takes place from 12 to 27 July, the two weeks either side of the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen (19-22 July).
- 20 organisations are presenting 40 events
- Free and paid-for activities for all ages
- Indoor and outdoor locations across the city
From sports camps to singing and storytelling, theatre and dancing to sea dragons and coastal discovery tours, and from exhibitions and creative writing to watercolour workshops, there's something for all ages to discover and enjoy.
Follow the links to each organisation for further information and to book.
SEA you there!
Download our Festival of the Sea What's On leaflet:
Here are some of the highlights of the programme
17 May–26 Oct 2025
Aberdeen Art Gallery (bp Special Exhibition Galleries)
Schoolhill, Aberdeen AB10 1FQ
£10 adults / £7 Friends of AAGM and concessions
£14 exhibition pass
Children aged 12 and under free
Legend, folklore and modern-day science combine in Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction?
This summer, take a journey from the medieval mind to the modern-day mysteries of the ocean. Take a deep breath and plunge down into the dark murky depths as we seek to explore the unexplained.
From a terrifying Feegee mermaid, to the spindly legs of a giant Japanese spider crab, there are lots of strange and wonderful things to see in Monsters of the Deep. Come face to face with the skull of a terrifying killer whale, marvel at the double-tusked skull of a narwhal and the tooth of an extinct megalodon. Examine eerie deep-sea specimens from across the globe and see some of the technological tools scientists use today to explore the bottom of the ocean – then you decide what lies beneath.
Based on an exhibition originated by
19 July – 20 July / 14:00 and 19:00
His Majesty's Theatre
Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen AB25 1GL
£17.50-£12.50 / Recommended for ages 7-12 years and their families
Ahoy, Aberdeen, all on board for Scottish Dance Theatre’s family show Pirates! as we sail into The Tall Ships Races 2025! Join best friends Tom and Daisy as they are swept away into the world of Captain Sandy Rogers and her rowdy crew! Together, they will go on an unforgettable adventure featuring a bunch of slippery zombies, strange underwater creatures and a final, all-out duel with the wicked Captain O’Greed!
21 July / 10:00 – 16:00
Greyhope Bay Centre
Torry Battery, Greyhope Road, Aberdeen AB11 8QX
Free / Suitable for all ages
Visit Greyhope Bay to speak with organisations connected to the coast and local area to learn about their work protecting the Aberdeen coast and species that call it home. As part of Coastal Discovery Day, we will also be hosting specific ticketed events, including coastal discovery beachcombing, and a litter pick.
21 – 25 July / 09:30 – 15:00
Citymoves Dance Agency
c/o The Anatomy Rooms, Shoe Lane, Aberdeen AB10 1AL
£40 per day / £175 per week / Ages 5 -12
Come along and join Citymoves for their high-energy creative camps that use dance and creative expression as a means of exploring Nautical topics, along with the funky routines, singing, and crafting activities you know and love from all Citymoves Youth Camp Programmes.