Celebrate Aberdeen's rich maritime heritage at the Festival of the Sea, taking place from 11–26 July 2026. Enjoy two weeks of family-friendly events, exhibitions, creative workshops, guided walks, live entertainment and hands-on activities across the city. With plenty of free events and something for all ages, it's the perfect way to discover Aberdeen's unique connection to the sea.
Iconic Bricks Pirate Trail
Various city centre locations, FREE
Set sail on a swashbuckling adventure throughout the city centre! 18 pirate-themed brick models are hiding in locations across Aberdeen city centre - can you track them all down?
This free trail can be enjoyed in any order. Pick up a trail card and tick off each pirate as you find them. Don't forget to tag us in any photos using #PirateTrail. Find out more online.
NESCOL Portraits
Port of Aberdeen, FREE
To celebrate the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025, HND Photography students from North East Scotland College (NESCol) captured a powerful series of photographic portraits spotlighting the unsung heroes of the local maritime industry from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
See the portraits one more time come to life in large-scale displays around the Port of Aberdeen.
Making Waves: Amazing Machines
Aberdeen Art Gallery - £10.50, £7.50 concessions, £15 exhibition pass, Children 12 years and under go free
Push buttons, turn cranks and let your imagination run wild as you explore the captivating art of contemporary automata in our joyful summer exhibition.
Discover the fascinating revival in automata-making over the past 40 years in this collection of original automata artworks from Cabaret Mechanical Theatre. Unlike the makers of 18th-century automata, this new generation do not strive to imitate real life. Instead, they leave the mechanisms of their creations visible, inviting us to observe and appreciate the complexity and artistry of their intricate inner workings.
Combining mechanics, engineering and art, these whimsical sculptures often reflect or humorously comment on our modern world. From a 'Kissing Couple' and a 'Wiggling figure', to 'Sheep Shearing' and 'How to Swim', you are sure to be delighted and entertained by them.
Exhibition developed and toured by Cabaret Mechanical Theatre. Supported by bp.
Artists' Film: Seals'kin by Hanna Tuulikki
Aberdeen Art Gallery, FREE
More-than-human centres on Hanna Tuulikki's short film Seals'kin, filmed among grey and common seals at Newburgh beach, Aberdeenshire. Through sound, movement and selkie mythology, the film explores loss, transformation and kinship between human and more-than-human worlds. The screening is accompanied by works from Aberdeen's Gallery and Museums Collection that evoke the folklore of the selkie and local coastline.
Imagined Landscapes
Aberdeen Art Gallery, FREE
Landscapes have long inspired artists and makers. Today, some continue traditional approaches, while others reimagine landscape through memory, imagination and materials drawn from nature. From evoking the experience of place to working with earth, air, fire and water, these works reveal the enduring power of landscapes as a creative force.
Works on Paper: Art and Energy
Aberdeen Maritime Museum, FREE
From pylons to wind turbines, this display explores how artists from the 1970s to today have responded to the monumental infrastructure of the energy industry. Featuring drawings, prints and photographs from the collection, works by Sue Jane Taylor, George Mackie, Kate Steenhauer, Donald Addison, Tony Clayden and Fay Goodwin are shown alongside a new commission by Kate Downie RSA. Art and Energy is the second in a series highlighting the depth and diversity of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums' works on paper.
Wreck and Rescue
Aberdeen Art Gallery, FREE
Wreck and Rescue explores Aberdeen's relationship with the sea through shipwrecks, coastal rescues and the lifesaving work of the RNLI. Tracing the evolution of maritime safety, the exhibition highlights local courage and the enduring risks of the North Sea.
Join the RNLI in the gallery on Wednesday 15 July for a hands-on history experience and informal chats with the crew.
Ship Shapes
Aberdeen Maritime Museum, FREE
Ships come in many different shapes and sizes - but can you tell a tanker from a tug, or a brig from a barque? Ship Shapes highlights the design and function of a selection of vessel types constructed over the decades in Aberdeen shipyards.
Aberdeen Ships, Trade and Empire
Aberdeen Maritime Museum, FREE
Ships owned and built by Aberdonians were heavily involved in the business of Empire. Locally-based merchants, families and companies relied on these vessels to trade goods across the globe. Between the 1700s and early 1900s, the demand for sugar, cotton, tea and gold was intense. For many decades, enslaved people were forced to work to satisfy consumer tastes. People from the North East owned plantations invested in trade and became wealthy.
Colin Helling, one of our Aberdeen-built ship volunteers, has been researching the role of ships owned and build in Aberdeen in Empire and colonialism. This exhibition highlights some of his key findings.
Explorer Trail
Collect at any venue - Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen Maritime Museum or Provost Skene's House, FREE
Explore Aberdeen's city centre museums using one simple map, collect stamps at each stop and earn a special Explorer sticker when you finish. Download the trail online today.
10 Things to do on your visit trail
Aberdeen Maritime Museum, FREE
A playful checklist packed with ideas to help families look closer, explore more, and enjoy the Maritime Museum together.
Meet the Munchies Trail
Aberdeen Maritime Museum, FREE
Meet the Munchies! Help the Rovies catch mischievous Planktonians hiding throughout the museum. Follow the clues to spot cheeky clay creatures tucked into the maritime galleries.
Download the trail online today.
Meet the Craiturs
Aberdeen Art Gallery, FREE
Spot curious clay creatures hiding among the artworks.
Download the trail online today.
Clean Up Aberdeen
Celebrate the beach environment with a beach clean, any day from 11th-26th July, FREE
Easy to arrange and great fun, clean ups make a noticeable difference. Organise your own event with friends, family or work colleagues. For equipment along with guidance and advice, just email cleanaberdeen@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Lost Harbours: Stories from the Coast
11-26 July, The Greyhope Bay Centre, Torry Battery, FREE
An exhibition featuring photography and physical model-making which invites visitors to share memories, experiences and ideas connected with the North East's coastal and harbour spaces.
Open Road
Fittie Community Hall, New Pier Road, AB11 5DS
Join Open Road throughout the festival for a rich and varies programme celebrating creativity, community and connection to the coast. Enjoy exhibitions, films and artist-led engagement, alongside moments of wellbeing by the sea through yoga and song. Take part in creative workshops with renowned environmental artist Eve Mosher, and immerse yourself in inspiring author events, workshops and readings. Raise your voice at a lively sea shanty workshop with Sarah Boyle Harbour Voices Community Choir, and settle in for atmospheric harbour-side film nights.
All ages welcome. Events are a mix of free and paid for. Find out more online.
Zoological Museum
Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, FREE
Explore the Zoological Museum where the displays are worldwide in scope, from starfish to great whales, including taxidermy, skeletons, fluid-preserved specimens and models. Find out more online.
Bookbug Sessions
Aberdeen City Libraries, FREE
Bookbug Sessions are free story, song and rhyme sessions for children aged 0-5 years and their mums, dads and carers. Sessions last around 30 minutes and everyone is welcome!
Going to a Bookbug Session is a great way for families to spend time bonding with each other and meeting other families in their local area. Bookbug Sessions can also help to build children's social skills and support their speech and language development. Most importantly, Bookbug Sessions are fun!
French Impressions
Aberdeen Art Gallery, all ages, FREE
Discover the shared ideas shaping late‑19th‑century French and Scottish art through striking pairings of works exploring the sea, coastline and modern life.