Aberdeen gears up to welcome nearly 50 Tall Ships and about 400,000 visitors, positioning it as Scotland’s largest free family event this year. The harbour – spanning Waterloo, Regent, Trinity, Upper, Jamieson’s and Blaikie’s Quays – will host a mix of square-riggers, brigs, barquentines and schooners, including iconic ships like Poland’s Dar Młodzieży (205 ft tall) and Peru’s BAP Union, fresh from a 7,500-nautical‑mile journey.
Expect the city to transform: from festooned quays and themed marquees in Castlegate and Weigh-House Square to shopfronts and restaurants celebrating maritime heritage and Aberdeen’s tea-trade legacy.
The Tall Ships & the Race
The Tall Ships Races, organised by Sail Training International, began in 1956 to preserve traditional sail training and foster international youth teamwork. Ships in Class A (square-rigged or over 40 m) and Classes B–D (smaller traineeships) host crews where at least 50% are aged 15–25 and inexperienced.
Aberdeen is the third stop on the 2025 route: after Le Havre (July 4–7) and Dunkirk (July 10–13), the fleet arrives on the evening of July 18 and remains until departure toward Kristiansand, Norway, followed by the final stop in Esbjerg, Denmark.
Aberdeen previously hosted in 1991 and 1997. This return after 28 years brings huge significance and renewed local pride.
Visitors, Crew and Volunteers: The Scale of Aberdeen’s Tall Ships Races 2025
The Tall Ships Races 2025 is expected to attract around 400,000 visits to Aberdeen over the course of the four-day event. This figure accounts for repeat visits, highlighting the scale and anticipated popularity of the celebration.
Supporting the delivery of the event is a dedicated team of hundreds of local volunteers, who have been recruited to assist with everything from wayfinding and hospitality to ship liaison and stewarding. Their role will be crucial in helping visitors navigate the quayside activities and ensuring a warm welcome to the city.
In addition, approximately 2,000 international crew members will descend on Aberdeen as part of the fleet. These young sailors and experienced mariners represent a truly global gathering, with vessels crewed by participants from countries including Uruguay, Oman, and many others across Europe, the Americas and beyond.
Their presence brings a vibrant international dimension to the event, fostering cross-cultural exchange and adding to the sense of community and celebration that defines the Tall Ships Races.
Berthing Maps: (Credit: TallshipsAberdeen.com)
Meet Dorry the Dolphin
Keep an eye out for Dorry, the official mascot of The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025. This friendly dolphin character will be making appearances throughout the festival, helping to welcome families and younger visitors to the event. Whether you’re grabbing a selfie on the quayside or exploring one of the many family zones, Dorry is sure to bring a smile and a splash of fun to your Tall Ships experience.
The Programme: Four Days of Maritime Festival
Quayside Fleet Experience
From July 19, the harbour gates open at Marischal Street. Visitors can explore the ships docked at various quays, many offering free deck tours. First opportunity to view and board begins the night of July 18, when fleet arrival closes the quays briefly.
Discovery & Family Zone
Discovery Zone (Castlegate) from 9:00–18:00 daily, closing at 15:30 on the final day. Features:
MacDuff Marine Aquarium touch-tanks
TechFest STEM activities on buoyancy, offshore wind, and maritime engineering
University of Aberdeen and schools’ displays on North Sea marine life.
Daytime entertainments in Broad Street with performances like Citymoves’ Ship Shape, a vintage 1915 Dennis Fire Engine, street theatre, merpeople and giant seagulls.
Curated Market
The Curated on the Quayside pop-up hosts 60 local stalls during the same hours. Sellers include artisans, beekeepers, charities, distillers, and craft producers like Glen Garioch, Dani’s Bees, Aberdeen Whisky Shop, Viva La Vegan, RSPB, RNLI, and Charlie House.
Quayside Concerts
Held at Peterson Seabase, Regent Quay from 18:30–23:30:
Fri 18 July: Deacon Blue, Brooke Combe, Little Kicks
Sat 19: Ministry of Sound Classical, Paul Oakenfold, Look Busy Collective
Sun 20: Tide Lines, Calum Bowie (free concert)
Mon 21: Kaiser Chiefs, Glasvegas, The Capollos
Tickets sold out quickly – concert nights expected to draw around 7,000 spectators each .
Funfair & Carnival Big Top
From 9 am–11 pm daily (until 15:20 on July 22), the Castlegate/King Street area will host the funfair with rides, Ferris wheel, carnival atmosphere and STEM “Fast and Furious” exhibits, complemented by street food stalls.
Food, Drink & Bars
Over 60 street-food stalls across the event, including:
A&Z’s Delicious Donuts; Aberdeen Angus Steak Bar; Base Artisan Pizza; Boujee Burgers & Fries; Cafe Sal; Calum’s Kitchen; Coffee & Churros; Coventry Ices; Dirty Bird; Drumsleed Burger Co; Eldewurst German Street Food; Fancy Franks; Fish & Chips; Fish ’n’ Chip 2 Go; Fresh Donuts & Coffee; Fries Guys; Furnandos Coffee; Greek Gyros; Hot Wok Noodle Bar; La Casa Burrito; Little Molly’s Cheesecake; Loop & Scoop; Popseys Donut Balls; Qismat Indian Street Food; Salt & Chilli Chicken Airstream; Salt & Chili Noodle Bar; Seafood Bothy; Shipyard Street Food; Skoff Mexican; Smoke and Soul; Smokehouse; SMSH Burger; The Duck Club; The Great British Fudge Company; The Greek; The Oven Pizza; The Quayside Fish & Chips; Viva La Vegan.
Bars (quayside venues): Blaikie’s Quay, Glen Garioch Whisky Bar, Jamieson’s Quay, Lind & Lime Gin Bar, Peterson’s Yard, Regent’s Quay, Regent’s Quay Can Bar—all offering local ales, spirits and soft drinks.
Transport & Road Closures
Aberdeen City Council and P&J advise using public transport, Park & Ride (Bridge of Don, Craibstone, P&J Live, Kingswells), or walking/cycling. Free First Aberdeen adult tickets were offered to support sustainable travel.
Parking & waiting restrictions apply:
No waiting from 6 am 11 July to midnight 28 July on Church St, Clarence St; various restriction timings on Marischal Street, Regent & Blaikie Quays, Theatre Lane, Sugarhouse Lane, Waterloo Quay, Wellington Street
Road closures:
6 am 14 Jul–6 am 25 Jul: Weigh‑House Square gated
From 00:01 16 Jul–6 am 25 Jul: King & Castle, Regent Quay, Marischal St, Shiprow, Exchequer Row, Shore Brae, Church St, Blaikie’s Quay
Additional closures for special events on Beach Esplanade, Greyhope Road, New Pier Road from 18–22 Jul
Residents in Footdee and Castle Street/Castlehill/Castle Terrace** receive permits; emergency access via barriers and steward-controlled routes
Remain alert for tow-away zones if parked in restricted areas; signage is in place.
Safety, Security & Health Guidance
NHS Grampian advises:
Use SPF 30–50, reapply often
Pace alcohol with food and non-alcoholic drinks
First‑aid posts and medical centre by Scotia Medical
Dr Kirsty Smith urges the use of NHS24 for minor ailments (dial 111) and reserving 999 or A&E for emergencies. Overseas visitors may need to pay for treatment.
Security arrangements:
24/7 site security with CCTV, patrols, vehicle barriers
Trained stewards, Police Scotland, Project Servator deployment
No large bags, alcohol, glass/metal containers, pyrotechnics or weapons allowed
Small water bottle (≤500 ml) and baby food permitted; all items searched .
Things to Do in Aberdeen
Two‑hour day sails: aboard Morgenstar or Wylde Swan, £60 pp (booking essential), departing Blaikie’s Quay – ideal for family adventures .
Maritime heritage tours by Grampian Escapes & Tours: discover coastal villages, Balmoral, Royal Deeside.
University events: sea‑life map‑making, Polish‑Scottish sea songs, marine science talks and cartography seminar.
Nearby daytime attractions: Aberdeen Art Gallery, Science Centre, Aquariums, Union Street landmarks.
FAQs (TallshipsAberdeen.com)
Can I go on the Tall Ships?
Yes – many of the Tall Ships will be open to the public for onboard visits throughout their time in Aberdeen. Deck tours of most ships at the quayside are free and widely available.
What food and drink will be available at the event?
Expect over 60 street-food stalls and six bars across the site, offering everything from local seafood to vegan options. Water refill stations will be available throughout the venue.
Can I bring food or drink into the Quayside Concerts?
No. Food and drink are not permitted in the Quayside Concert venues. However, outside of concert hours and areas, visitors are welcome to bring their own food and refill water bottles (500 ml or less) at designated stations.
Are Park & Ride services available?
Yes – four Park & Ride sites (Bridge of Don, Craibstone, P&J Live, and Kingswells) will be operating, with shuttle buses approximately every 15–20 minutes. Advance booking is strongly advised due to anticipated demand.
What roads and parking restrictions should I be aware of?
Many city-centre streets – including Marischal Street, Regent Quay, Blaikie’s Quay, Church Street, King Street, Clarence Street, Theatre Lane, and parts of Beach Esplanade – will be subject to closures and no-waiting zones from 11 to 28 July. Vehicles parked in contravention may be towed. Permit holders and residents will be advised via local signage.
Can I cycle to the event or bring my bike?
Cycling to the event is encouraged, with additional bike parking provided in the city centre. Please note that bicycles are not permitted on the quayside itself.
Are accessible facilities and transport available?
Yes – the event is fully accessible. Features include a raised viewing platform, wheelchair-accessible toilets, and a free shuttle service from Aberdeen Football Club. Mobility-aid loans and sensory-support kits (“Sensory Bags”) will also be available.
Will there be relaxed or BSL tours?
Yes – a relaxed session will take place on Monday 21 July (09:00–10:00) for visitors with autism, ADHD, sensory conditions, dementia, or immunosuppression. Informal British Sign Language (BSL) tours will be available 19–21 July, starting from the Maritime Museum at noon.
Can I bring my dog?
Only assistance dogs are permitted on site. Other animals are not allowed.
What are the age restrictions for Quayside Concerts?
Concertgoers must be aged 14 or over. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult (aged 21 or older), with a maximum of two under-16s per adult.
Can I bring a camping chair or bag?
Chairs are not permitted at the concerts, which are standing-only. Small bags (up to A3 size) are allowed but will be searched on entry.
What should I do if I fall ill or get injured?
There will be first-aid posts on site. For non-emergencies, contact NHS 24 by dialling 111. In case of an emergency, call 999 or attend the nearest Accident & Emergency department.
Can overseas visitors get free healthcare?
Not always. Eligibility for free NHS care varies. Visitors should consult NHS Inform for detailed information about health coverage.
Are there STEM or children’s learning activities?
Yes – the event features a Discovery Zone, workshops from local universities, touch-tanks, engineering activities, street theatre, a vintage fire engine, a funfair, and live family-friendly entertainment.
Aberdeen’s Tall Ships Races 2025 offers a four‑day deep dive into maritime heritage, cultural celebration, science, youth engagement, and family entertainment. For residents and visitors alike, it’s a compelling opportunity to explore sail training, sail on historic vessels, delve into science galleries, sample local flavours, and soak up festive energy.
By planning around transport, staying sun‑safe, monitoring personal health, and being mindful of security and access routes, you can make the most of this landmark event. For any more information about Tall Ships, consult the TallshipsAberdeen.com website
Prepare your itinerary, bookmark the programme, and be part of the festive tide. See you in the Harbour!
