The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 - everything you need to know
What's on?
🚀 Aberdeen’s biggest event in a generation, and it’s FREE!
⛵ Public access to majestic Tall Ships from Union St / The Castlegate (entrance at Marischal Street)
🎤 Free live music and entertainment
🎤 Sold-out Quayside Concerts
🍔 Street food, bars and shopping
🔬 STEM activities & military village
🎉 Events and parades
🌙 Late quayside opening, with food, drink and entertainment
Where is it?
⚓ Quayside at Port of Aberdeen, North Harbour
🏰 Castlegate
🚦 King Street
🌳 Union Terrace Gardens
🏙️ Activity across the city
Getting there
🚶♀️Walk or cycle encouraged – access from Union St / The Castlegate (entrance at Marischal Street)
🅿️ 4x Park & Ride locations
🚌 Free and reduced bus tickets from First Bus - Promo codes will be released daily. More info here: Free Bus Travel | Tall Ships Aberdeen
🔁 Accessible event shuttle between sites
🚆 Extras trains from LNER and ScotRail
🔗 More info: Accessibility & Transport
Getting in
🚪 Entrance: Top of Marischal Street. If you’re on a bus, get off at a stop on Union Street.
♿ For those with accessibility needs, the event site can be accessed via Market Street, Virginia Street, Commerce Street, and Church Street. Please use the crossings point as roads will be open. Speak to a steward on arrival.
🔁 Free and unticketed access during opening hours
Quayside opening times
📅 Sat 19 July: 09:00 – 20:00
📅 Sun 20 July: 09:00 – 20:00
📅 Mon 21 July: 09:00 – 20:00
📅 Tues 22 July: 09:00 – 15:00
Evening entertainment
🍻 Live music, bars and street food
📅 Sat 19 & Mon 21 July: 20:00 – 23:00 at Regent Quay
📜 Full line-up: Tall Ships What's On
Quayside concerts (🎟️ sold out!)
🎶 Enter from the West of the city - Marischal Street or Commerce Street
- 🎸 Deacon Blue with Brooke Combe & The Little Kicks– 18 July, 🕡 18:30 – 23:00
- 🎧 Ministry of Sound Classical with Paul Oakenfold & Look Busy Collective – 19 July 🕡 18:30 – 23:00
- 🎻 Tide Lines & Calum Bowie – 20 July 🕡 19:00 - 22:00
- 🥁 Kaiser Chiefs with Glasvegas & The Capollos – 21 July 🕡 18:30 – 23:00
Accessibility
🅿️ Accessible Park & Ride from Pittodrie Stadium – tickets available online
🚐 Accessible shuttle in operation
🅿️Bookable blue badge parking (Waterloo Quay pre-booked blue badge parking is sold out)
♿ For those with accessibility needs, the event site can be accessed via Market Street, Virginia Street, Commerce Street, and Church Street. Please speak to a steward on arrival.
😌 Chillville – quiet space @ Upper Quay
🚻 Disabled toilets @ Jamieson’s Quay
🔗 More info: Accessibility & Transport
Age restrictions
👧 Children under 14 must be with an adult
Animals
🚫 No animals allowed on the quayside, except assistance dogs
Street food, bars, and markets
🍽️ 40+ food stalls
🍹 7 bars
❤️ 50+ local traders and charities
💳 Card payments encouraged
🏪 Local restaurants & bars with special promos
Other information
👜 Bags must be A3 size or smaller (searches apply)
💧 Water stations throughout – please bring a reusable bottle with you
🚫 See full prohibited items list: Safety & Security
For more information please visit the Tall Ships Aberdeen website.
