Evening concerts with big-name acts will add to the excitement of Tall Ship Races Aberdeen next July.
Big name music acts are set to provide the soundtrack for the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen when the prestigious event drops anchor in the Granite City next July.
Organisers behind what will be Scotland’s biggest event in 2025 – brought to Aberdeen in a concerted effort by Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen City Council and the Port of Aberdeen – say it will feature concerts with national and internationally recognised headline acts being lined up.
And a purpose-built outdoor gig space able to hold 7,000 people will be created especially for the music strand of the Tall Ships, which is expected to attract 400,000 visits from July 19 to 22.
The stage will not only boast spectacular evening performances, but also a daytime mix of local and Scottish talent, from sea shanties and choirs to street performers, as well as crew and navy bands from the Tall Ships themselves.
The music mix was announced along with a range of cultural and educational activities for all ages as the council’s Finance and Resources Committee agreed updates to the event.
Tall Ships crews will be part of the entertainment during the four-day event.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “The unveiling of this exciting music, entertainment and cultural strand underlines just how spectacular the Tall Ships Races will be when they arrive and just how much they will offer to the city.
“Aberdeen will be the only UK host port for the Tall Ships next year and for that weekend in July it will be the only place to be in the country as hundreds of thousands of visitors arrive to not only be delighted by around 60 of these beautiful vessels berthed at the harbour, but also the rich entertainment and excitement of the whole event.
“It is a once-in-a-generation happening that provides limitless opportunities for city centre businesses, a massive boost for our local economy, puts Aberdeen on the global map and will help create memories to last a lifetime.”
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen will be the biggest event in Scotland next year.
Finance committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “The programme of music concerts with national and internationally-recognised headline acts is an exciting new announcement of what will be happening around Aberdeen’s quaysides for the Tall Ships.
“The additional events through the cultural and education programme will also add to the buzz in the city centre next July and will be great fun to take part in.”
The extravaganza begins on July 19 with the fleet’s arrival and opening ceremony. The city centre will buzz with more than 1,500 sailors joining the international crew parade the next day, featuring live music, dance, and theatre.
A grand finale of fireworks on the seafront will dazzle visiting crowds on the July 21 before the ships set sail for Kristiansand, Norway, the following day. This departure will be marked by a parade of sail along the beach esplanade.
Just magnificent... some 60 Tall Ships are expected to arrive in Aberdeen next year.
Sponsorship has been actively pursued since February and packages are available with defined benefits which are then tailored to potential sponsor needs.
The sponsorship target for the event is a minimum of £850,000 with stretch targets of £1million and £1.2m. Of the major sponsors, one top tier package and the headline sponsor package remain.
More details of sponsorship packages is at Sponsorship | Tall Ships Aberdeen
Almost 10,000 individuals and businesses have already registered their interest online to support The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 at www.tallshipsaberdeen.com. Prospective trainees, volunteers, sponsors, commercial traders, artists, musicians, and creatives are encouraged to join online today.