Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen. Image - Kris Romanski
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 has been named as a finalist in three categories of the prestigious Scottish Event Awards.
The hugely-successful event – which attracted almost 500,000 visits to the city last July – is shortlisted for Best Large Festival (5,000+ attendees); Impact Award, and Best Sustainable Event.
The winners will be declared at a glittering ceremony in Glasgow on April 30 for the awards which are staged by EVENTIT connects, inspires and educates event professionals from across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
News of the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen being finalists was welcomed by Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, one of the three delivery partners for the event, along with Aberdeen City Council and the Port of Aberdeen.
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 were a major boost for the Granite City. Image - Signal
Adrian said: “There is little doubt that the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen was an event that will live on in the memories of the thousands of people who came into the city centre to enjoy these beautiful vessels, but also the many attractions and events around them.
“And the Tall Ships Races also brought a high tide of opportunity to the city, generating £32.2 million for the local economy. It also left a lasting legacy by re-energising the whole city and showing just what we can achieve when we all works as Team Aberdeen.
“The icing on the cake is having all of that work and impact recognised in these three categories of the Scottish Event Awards. Fingers crossed for the big night on April 30.”
The Tall Ships Races transformed Aberdeen into “the party city” and saw some 50 vessels berthed in the harbour, along with events ranging from sell-out Quayside Concerts, to packed family fun zones and harbourside pop up bars and eateries.
Music fans loved the sell-out Quayside Concerts which included the Ministry of Sound Classical gig. Image - Dod Morrison Photography
Shops, restaurants and bars across the city centre reported record-breaking footfall and business as hundreds of thousands of people flocked into the city centre during the event, which ran from July 19 to 22, last year.
The Scottish Event Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and innovation shaping Scotland’s event landscape, said EVENTIT.
“From large-scale festivals to association events, charity events, conferences, and sporting events, the awards celebrate the people and projects that make our industry truly world-class,” said the organisers.
“We’re looking for the very best in the industry – those who push boundaries, elevate experiences, and go far beyond delivering standard events”
Entries are assessed by a panel of the industry’s leading figures who have helped shape the sector through their influence and expertise, marking this one of the most prestigious awards to win for Scottish events.