Aberdeen

There is plenty to distract you from the cold and wind in this northern city, which has a lot more charm than outsiders tend to be aware of. For starters, it boasts two miles of the most beautiful white, sandy beach where you can satisfy your urges for sea-front walking (you will end up wishing you had a dog of your own). It's also surprisingly good for shopping: young fashionistas travel for miles to raid the charity shops on Chapel Street. Walking around the cobbled streets of Old Aberdeen, you'll find yourself envying the university students' lifestyles, and it's definitely worth checking out the big name impressionists housed in the Aberdeen Art Gallery. If the weather is too much, the Winter Gardens, alongside the River Dee, have huge Victorian hothouses that provide delicious, verdant shelter from the wind.

Popular events

Days Out

• Aberdeen International Street Market
  Street market with over 70 stalls selling produce from all over Europe.
• Aberdeen International Youth Festival
  One of the world's biggest participatory festivals, this multi-arts event brings together and…
• Aberdeen's Tartan Day
  With a massed pipe band parade, historic re-enactments, a local history fair and plenty of…
• The City of Aberdeen Clydesdale Horse Show
  This is Scotland's premier Clydesdale horse event and a great family day out. The show is free to…
• An Evening with Ray Mears
  The legendary survivalist's first Scottish tour, a two hour show exploring his crazy wild world…
• Aberdeen Winter Festival: Fireworks Night
  An exciting display of colourful, bright and noisy high aerial fireworks complete with family…
• Aberdeen City and Shire
  Ruaraidh Wishart of the Aberdeen City Archives will discuss Aberdeen and its history of relations…
• View more Days Out in Aberdeen

Clubs

• Mixtape
  Chicago house and early Detroit techno from special guest Jesse Rose.
• View more Clubs in Aberdeen

Comedy

• Meet Dave
  Eddie Murphy plays Dave Ming Chang, a spaceship made in the image of its miniature-sized captain…
• Four Poofs And A Piano
  Musical comedy from those four campsters who regularly spice up Jonathon Ross' show.
• James Campbell's Comedy 4 Kids
  More comedy for over 5s as the master of kids' comedy entertains with more fun tales and…
• Danny Bhoy: By The Way
  Twinkly-eyed funny lad Danny Bhoy returns with more stories.
• Sex and the City: The Movie
  A few years on from packing away the series, the characters are back and fleshed out, the…
• Funny Kids
  Unique stand-up performance featuring a selection of the North East's newest and youngest comedy…
• Lee Evans
  The rubber-faced comedian sets out on a new UK tour.
• View more Comedy in Aberdeen

Film

• Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
  After 'Bend it Like Beckham', Chadha takes a step into younger territory with this adaptation of…
• The Dark Knight
  Following on from Nolan's critically and commercially successful 'Batman Begins', this sequel…
• Mamma Mia!
  How can we resist you? Film version of super successful Broadway and West End ABBA song musical…
• WALL-E
  Inspired by sci-fi classics from the 1960s and 70s, Pixar have created a post-apocalyptic story…
• Kung Fu Panda
  Overweight panda Po (Black) joins his heroes, the Fierce Five, in a butt-kicking adventure when…
• Hancock
  Smith plays a nihilistic superhero who has fallen out of favour with the public. Due to this…
• Meet Dave
  Eddie Murphy plays Dave Ming Chang, a spaceship made in the image of its miniature-sized captain…
• View more Film in Aberdeen

Kids

• WALL-E
  Inspired by sci-fi classics from the 1960s and 70s, Pixar have created a post-apocalyptic story…
• CBeebies at the Theatre: Let's Play!
  A fully live theatrical performance straight from the CBeebies channel to the stage. Join Jenny…
• The Singing Kettle: Pirate Island
  Ahoy land lubbers! Scotland's favourite children's entertainers have set sail with their brand new…
• Aberdeen Winter Festival: Santa & His Reindeer Parade
  Santa and his reindeer cohorts proceed from the Castlegate, along Union Street to the Mall…
• Children's Workshops inspired by Scottish Arts and Crafts
  A series of children's workshops will be held in honour of 'Hand, Heart and Soul' at the Aberdeen…
• James Campbell's Comedy 4 Kids
  More comedy for over 5s as the master of kids' comedy entertains with more fun tales and…
• View more Kids in Aberdeen

LGBT

• Four Poofs And A Piano
  Musical comedy from those four campsters who regularly spice up Jonathon Ross' show.
• Eurobeat: Almost Eurovision
  Kitschtastic Eurovision spoof that cleverly realises the event is already almost a spoof of itself…
• View more LGBT in Aberdeen

Music

• Aberdeen Winter Festival Christmas Carols Concert
  Sing along to your favourite carols.
• Aberdeen's Tartan Day
  With a massed pipe band parade, historic re-enactments, a local history fair and plenty of…
• Aberdeen Chorus on a Sentimental Journey
  The Aberdeen chorus of Sweet Adelines International comprises of around 80 women who sing in four…
• The Best is Yet to Come
  Aberdeen's premiere rat pack swing-trio, Ocean's 3, take to the glittering stage.
• Alan Benzie Trio
  Fresh faced jazz pianist and band. 'Part of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival'
• Ambassadors Big Band
  Classic big band tunes along with some modern numbers such as 'Route 66' and 'Feelings'.
• Mrs Gerrard's Accordion Band
  A cracking blend of music, song and humour to get your fingers snapping and toes tapping.
• View more Music in Aberdeen

Theatre

• Aberdeen Variety Performance
  Wendy Ivers will lead you through an exhilarating evening of magic tricks, live music, silly…
• CBeebies at the Theatre: Let's Play!
  A fully live theatrical performance straight from the CBeebies channel to the stage. Join Jenny…
• An Evening with Ray Mears
  The legendary survivalist's first Scottish tour, a two hour show exploring his crazy wild world…
• Hello, Dolly!
  Anita Dobson and Darren Day lead a new production of the Broadway hit show telling the story of…
• The Singing Kettle: Pirate Island
  Ahoy land lubbers! Scotland's favourite children's entertainers have set sail with their brand new…
• Le Grande Cirque
  An international cast of 50 world champion acrobats and jugglers, perform feats you never thought…
• AIYF International Variety Gala
  Highlights from the festival, with international dance, music and theatre, plus new collaborative…
• View more Theatre in Aberdeen

Visual Art

• Arts and Crafts Ceramics
  Assistant Keeper Kate Gillespie will discuss The Bough and Mak'merry Studios.
• Ben Boats: Watercolours of George Wiseman
  An exhibition of watercolours by pierhead artist George Wiseman who painted trawlers of the 1950s…
• Elements
  A diverse selection of jewellery, ceramics and glass which have been inspired by air, fire, water…
• Material Matters
  Former Director of the Scottish Gallery, Amanda Game, examines some of the most forward thinking…
• Surrealism
  Jennifer Melville will discuss this influential European movement.
• Artists Abroad
  A new selection of works exhibiting the influences played by foreign travel upon an artist.
• Hand, Heart and Soul
  Major exhibition exploring in arts and crafts movement in Scotland from 1880 to 1939.
• View more Visual Art in Aberdeen

Dance

• Aberdeen International Youth Festival at the Arts Centre
  Three evenings of dance, fusing classical and modern ballet, traditional and contemporary dance…
• Lord of the Dance
  The Irish dance phenomenon revive their Good vs Evil tale, which premiered in 1996.
• Le Grande Cirque
  An international cast of 50 world champion acrobats and jugglers, perform feats you never thought…
• AIYF International Dance Gala
  The highlight of the festival's dance programme, the Gala draws together young dancers from…
• Project Y - Y Dance
  Scotland's best young dancers in this brand new programme from Scotland's National Youth Dance…
• View more Dance in Aberdeen

Talks

• Aberdeen City and Shire
  Ruaraidh Wishart of the Aberdeen City Archives will discuss Aberdeen and its history of relations…
• Arts and Crafts Ceramics
  Assistant Keeper Kate Gillespie will discuss The Bough and Mak'merry Studios.
• The Castlegate in Bye-gone Days
  Catherine Taylor from Aberdeen Central Library will discuss the history of Castlegate.
• Saints Dedications in Aberdeen
  Research Assistant Sally Crumplin will deliver this fine lunchtime history lesson.
• Standing Building Surveys
  Archaeologist Alison Cameron will discuss the surveys of Dalhebity House and Rosewell Gardens.
• Material Matters
  Former Director of the Scottish Gallery, Amanda Game, examines some of the most forward thinking…
• Surrealism
  Jennifer Melville will discuss this influential European movement.
• View more Talks in Aberdeen

Sport

• The City of Aberdeen Clydesdale Horse Show
  This is Scotland's premier Clydesdale horse event and a great family day out. The show is free to…
• World Bowls: Singles Champion of Champions
  The first time this bowling tournament has been held in the northern hemisphere.
• WWE RAW - Survivor Series Tour
  The real deal WWE superstars of US wrestling bring the pain to the UK.
• View more Sport in Aberdeen

Popular places

Cafés

• Café 52
  52 The Green, Aberdeen
• The Sand Dollar Café
  2 Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen
• The Beautiful Mountain
  11-13 Belmont Street, Aberdeen
• Books and Beans
  Belmont Street, Aberdeen
• Cafe Drummonds
  1 Belmont Street, Aberdeen
• Café Society
  9 Queens Road, Aberdeen
• View more Cafés in Aberdeen

Cinemas

• Cineworld Aberdeen
  Queens Link Leisure Center 28 Links Road, Aberdeen
• The Belmont
  49 Belmont Street, Aberdeen
• Vue Aberdeen
  10 Shiprow, Aberdeen
• View more Cinemas in Aberdeen

Clubs

• Snafu
  Union Street, Aberdeen
• View more Clubs in Aberdeen

Galleries

• The Lemon Tree
  5 West North Street, Aberdeen
• Aberdeen Arts Centre
  33 King Street, Aberdeen
• The Belmont
  49 Belmont Street, Aberdeen
• Aberdeen Art Gallery
  Schoolhill, Aberdeen
• The Gordon Highlanders' Museum
  St Luke's Viewfield Road, Aberdeen
• Aberdeen Maritime Museum
  Shiprow, Aberdeen
• Peacock Visual Arts
  21 Castle Street, Aberdeen
• Foyer Restaurant & Gallery
  82a Crown Street, Aberdeen
• Provost Skene's House
  Guestrow, Aberdeen
• Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Art Gallery
  Foresterhill, Aberdeen
• View more Galleries in Aberdeen

Hotels

• Aberdeen Douglas Hotel
  Market Street, Aberdeen
• Hilton Treetops Hotel
  161 Springfield Road, Aberdeen
• Norwood Hall Hotel
  Garthdee Road, Aberdeen
• Thistle Hotel Aberdeen Altens Thistle Hotel
  Souterhead Road, Aberdeen
• View more Hotels in Aberdeen

Museums

• Grampian Transport Museum
  Main Street, Alford
• The Gordon Highlanders' Museum
  St Luke's Viewfield Road, Aberdeen
• Aberdeen Maritime Museum
  Shiprow, Aberdeen
• The Tolbooth
  Castle Street, Aberdeen
• Provost Skene's House
  Guestrow, Aberdeen
• Archaeolink Prehistory Park
  Oyne, Insch
• Marischal Museum
  University of Aberdeen Marischal College Broad Street, Aberdeen
• Zoology Museum
  Zoology Building University of Aberdeen St Machar's Drive, Aberdeen
• View more Museums in Aberdeen

Pubs & Bars

• Ma Cameron's
  6-8 Little Belmont Street, Aberdeen
• The Fittie Bar
  18 Wellington Street, Aberdeen
• Moorings Bar
  2 Trinity Quay, Aberdeen
• Revolution
  25 Belmont Street, Aberdeen
• Prince of Wales
  7 St Nicholas Lane, Aberdeen
• Under the Hammer
  11 North Silver Street, Aberdeen
• The Lairhillock Inn
  Netherley, Near Stonehaven, Aberdeen
• Northern Lights
  Hatton of Fintray, Aberdeen
• Old Blackfriars
  52 Castle Street, Aberdeen
• The College
  8 Alford Place, Aberdeen
• View more Pubs & Bars in Aberdeen

Restaurants

• Chi Restaurant & Bar
  Unit 8/9 The Academy, Schoolhill, Aberdeen
• Cinnamon
  476 Union Street, Aberdeen
• Simpson's
  59 Queens Road, Aberdeen
• The Ashvale
  42-48 Great Western Road, Aberdeen
• The Bothy
  81 Seafield Road, Aberdeen
• The Square
  1 Golden Square, Aberdeen
• Foyer Restaurant & Gallery
  82a Crown Street, Aberdeen
• Royal Thai
  29 Crown Terrace, Aberdeen
• The Lairhillock Inn
  Netherley, Near Stonehaven, Aberdeen
• Poldino's
  7 Little Belmont Street, Aberdeen
• View more Restaurants in Aberdeen

Tourist Attractions

• Glover House
  79 Balgownie Road Bridge of Don, Aberdeen
• Starnafin Visitor Centre
  Crimond, Fraserburgh
• Satrosphere
  The Tramsheds, 179 Constitution Street, Aberdeen
• View more Tourist Attractions in Aberdeen

Theatres

• The Lemon Tree
  5 West North Street, Aberdeen
• His Majesty's Theatre
  Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen
• Music Hall
  Union Street, Aberdeen
• View more Theatres in Aberdeen

Venues

• The Lemon Tree
  5 West North Street, Aberdeen
• Aberdeen Arts Centre
  33 King Street, Aberdeen
• Beach Ballroom
  The Esplanade, Aberdeen
• AECC
  Bridge of Don, Aberdeen
• Music Hall
  Union Street, Aberdeen
• Moshulu
  Windmill Brae, Aberdeen
• Mitchell Hall
  Marischal College Broad Street, Aberdeen
• The North East of Scotland Music School
  Dorothy Hately Music Centre 21 Huntly Street, Aberdeen
• Waterstone's
  236 Union Street, Aberdeen
• East Neuk
  132 King Street, Aberdeen
• View more Venues in Aberdeen