Welcome to your latest In Touch newsletter
Autumn is now truly here with the city’s schools breaking for the October holidays – leaving families free to enjoy some time together and make precious memories.
That’s where Aberdeen Inspired comes in with our brand new Nuart Aberdeen Family Challenge.
This fun trail is being launched with a family-friendly quiz to help guide people around 15 of the stunning murals that have transformed the cityscape over the years.
It’s a great, free way to get out and about with the kids during the two-week break – and have the chance of winning a lovely prize bundle – while also introducing a new generation to the wonderful art works created by some of the finest street artists in the world.
Not only that, is will attract people into the city centre to not only discover the wonders of Nuart Aberdeen, but also the many other attractions in the city centre itself.
Our trail has been designed to put people on the doorstep of some our outstanding cafes and restaurants so they can pop in to enjoy a seasonal cup of hot chocolate or other tasty treats while on their adventures.
It will also guide them to some of our fantastic shops and retailers, plus myriad other attractions to explore, not just during the holidays.
The aim is to remind people of all the great things the city centre has to offer for people of all ages, all year round, all while boosting local businesses.
We want to help people rediscover and fall in love with the heart of the Granite City – and hopefully instil the habit of coming into town in the next generation, not just here in Aberdeen, but from wider afield as well.
After all, Aberdeen is the regional city of the north-east and the more people who use and enjoy it the better it will be, not just for visitors but for residents, traders, shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and the local economy.
So, I hope as many people as possible take up the Nuart Aberdeen Family Challenge – and also rise to the challenge of making the city centre the best it can be for years to come.
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson,
Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
STORIES
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Discover the art of keeping kids happy this October holiday in the Nuart Aberdeen Family Challenge
The art of keeping kids happy this October holiday couldn’t be easier thanks to a new Nuart Aberdeen Family Challenge.
This fun trail, created by Aberdeen Inspired, invites families to tour the world-renowned masterpieces created for the hugely-popular street art festival – with the challenge of answering 15 questions about the works.
To celebrate the launch of the Nuart Aberdeen Family Challenge, a fantastic prize bundle is up for grabs for one lucky winner who submits their answers. The package includes a £50 Aberdeen Gift Card, plus seasonal goodies and vouchers from a range of local retailers including Mackie’s 19.2, The Body Shop and Hobbycraft.
Take on the Nuart Aberdeen Family Challenge.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Nominate your favourite Granite City business for a national award
Do you have a favourite business in the Granite City? Now is your chance to nominate them for a prestigious UK-wide award – and be in with the chance of winning a £1,000 Aberdeen Gift Card for yourself.
The UK’s Favourite Local Business competition – backed by Aberdeen Inspired - aims to give shops, restaurants, salons, hotels and attractions a much-needed boost by putting them in the spotlight, while also encouraging people to support local.
The competition is staged across the nation by Miconex, who deliver local gift card programmes around the world, including the award-winning Aberdeen Gift Card, which is managed by Aberdeen Inspired.
The UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 winner will receive a £1,000 Aberdeen Gift Card, with one person who nominated them also winning a £1,000 Aberdeen Gift Card.
Nominate Your Local Favourite Business at lovelocalwin.co.uk
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
City eateries hail Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks as ‘best yet’
An estimated 35,000 customers spent more than £1 million during Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks, delivering a major boost to the city economy as restaurants, bars and cafes hailed the latest Foodie Fortnight as one of the best yet.
Service is over for the two-week festival, which came to a close on Sunday, September 6, but city hospitality businesses are still savouring the boost it brought through their doors.
In fact, top city chef Graham Mitchell suggested the event become Aberdeen Restaurant Month after his two Tarragon venues were packed during the festival.
Image credits - James Murison, Aberdeen Performing Arts
Aberdeen Comedy Festival wraps up second successful year as thousands flock to stand-up gigs
Aberdeen Performing Arts is celebrating a second successful Aberdeen Comedy Festival after the festival came to a close on Sunday, October 4.
The festival, which is supported by Aberdeen Inspired, ran over three weekends, Saturday, September 19 – Sunday, October 4, welcoming over 17,000 comedy fans to 45 gigs and events across the Granite City, including the Ye Had Ti Be There photography exhibition.
And the dates have already been set for the return of the Aberdeen Comedy Festival in September and October next year.
See the Aberdeen Comedy Festival Highlights.
Image credits - Celebrate Aberdeen
Finalists announced for 2026 Celebrate Aberdeen Awards
Some of the north-east’s most inspiring organisations and individuals have been named as finalists in this year’s Celebrate Aberdeen Awards.
The awards, which return for the seventh year, recognise and celebrate the invaluable contribution that the third sector makes to thousands of lives across Aberdeen City and Shire.
Twenty-four finalists have been shortlisted across eight award categories, with the winners being announced at the celebratory awards ceremony at the Chester Hotel on Saturday, October 31. They represent groups across the full spectrum of the charitable sector, with some making the list for the first time ever.
Meet the Celebrate Aberdeen Awards Finalists.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Secure your space at out Bid Levy Player Networking Meeting on October 27
Join Aberdeen Inspired for our upcoming BID Levy Payer Networking Meeting, an opportunity to connect with fellow businesses, hear the latest updates from the BID and find out more about upcoming events and opportunities.
Date: October 27
Time: 9am – 11am
Venue: Copthorne Hotel Aberdeen
The event will bring together levy payers from across the BID area for an informal and informative session, with plenty of opportunity to network and make new connections.
Image credits - Aberdeen Performing Arts
Review: Oh What A Night as Jersey Boys wows at His Majesty’s Theatre
Jersey Boys roared back into His Majesty’s Theatre this week on its 20th anniversary tour – and the only thing to be said is Oh What A Night!
There’s a reason this love letter to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons has been filling theatres for two decades. It’s a roller coaster story with music that forms the soundtrack to the lives of generations.
Not bad reach for a bunch of four kids from Jersey in New York who stumbled their way through humble Italian immigrant origins, little knowing they would become a global sensation over six decades with timeless hits like Big Girls Don’t Cry, Sherry, Walk Like A Man and, of course, December 1963 (Oh What A Night).
