Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA) venues such as His Majesty’s Theatre saw a 14% increase in ticket sales and a rise of new customers year-on-year.
APA – which also operates The Music Hall and The Lemon Tree – had new customers attending performances rising to 18,274 bringing it closer to its 2028 target of 21,500 a year.
Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee approved a report on Wednesday 5 November 2025 which highlighted the positive impact of Arm’s Length External Organisations (ALEOs) on the city’s health, culture and sports which included APA.
The report said a total of 416,379 people attended 783 diverse performances at APA venues over 2024-2025.
Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “Aberdeen City Council is committed to working with Aberdeen Performing Arts which plays an important role in the cultural offering of our city as their venues attract a great number of people to these city centre venues.”
Co-Leader of the Council Councillor Ian Yuill said: “Aberdeen Performing Arts’ annual report highlights the huge range of cultural events taking place across its venues. A successful APA is key to cultural life in Aberdeen. It is good to see their successes.”
APA Chief Executive, Sharon Burgess said: “At Aberdeen Performing Arts, our mission is to contribute towards an inclusive, inspiring and vibrant arts sector in the city and beyond. Continued support from Aberdeen City Council allows us to continue to serve as a cultural hub, providing vital opportunities to engage with the arts while adding value to the visitor economy and city centre regeneration.”
The report to committee gave more details about notable achievements by APA.
These included an increase in Friends memberships by 29% year-on-year and it achieved a customer experience rating of 4.6 out of 5.
APA venues had performances across theatre, music, dance, comedy, literature, spoken word, and work for young people including the very best of professional touring productions, national companies, Scottish made work, local emerging professionals, and a range of community, schools, and amateur projects. Other highlights included:
• Granite Noir – international crime writing festival featuring a record attendance;
• Light the Blue – festival for and by young people in Aberdeen which was expanded and co-designed;
• International Season – new international season of circus, acrobatics, comedy and family events;
• Rise Up – a festival celebrating black and people of colour creatives, in partnership with We Are Here Scotland;
• Delve – a weekend of artist-led exploration of themes and ideas curated by musician Rachel Sermanni;
• Digital art – five new commissions for the Stepping In screen;
• Art exhibition – including two new commissions in the Music Hall gallery spaces.
• Comedy Festival – announced the relaunch and refresh of the Aberdeen Comedy Festival.