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Article published 18/07/2025

The Tall Ships Races are here, as the last of almost 50 beautiful vessels pulled into Port of Aberdeen this morning to join the rest of fleet.

These final arrivals herald the start of an unforgettable weekend as the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 bring with them a feast of free entertainment, delights, events, parades, and spectacle from Saturday 19 July to Tuesday 22 July.

Wojtek Zalewski is Chief Officer of the class A tall ship, Fryderyk Chopin, which was among the first ships to arrive. He said he and his crew were delighted to be in Aberdeen and looking forward to the spectacle and excitement the tall ships will bring.

We are looking forward to having fun, especially with the crew parade on Sunday, when we will have some surprises for all the people watching. But I can’t say more or it won’t be a surprise.

We are really excited to see this totally different culture, the Scottish culture, and the history and this beautiful city. We just hope the weather won’t be too Scottish.

Wojtek Zalewski, Chief Officer of the Fryderyk Chopin

What to see and do

The Port of Aberdeen’s North Harbour is set to become a forest of masts, with some of the world’s largest sailing ships finding their berth. Crews are getting ready to welcome visitors on board to get a taste of life at sea over the tall ships weekend.

Meanwhile, adding to the vibrancy of the event, the quaysides will host:

  • colourful and vibrant market stalls
  • stages with free live music, playing day and night,
  • a banquet of food and drink

There will also be a host of events and activities across the city centre. These include a discovery zone at the Castlegate, a funfair on King Street, and a military village at Union Terrace Gardens. 

People posing in front of ships in a harbourCouncillor Ian Yuill, Councillor Alex McLellan, Councillor Martin Greig, Bob Sanguinetti, Lady Provost Hazel Cameron, Dr David Cameron, Allan Henderson. © The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen

Sold-out quayside concerts

Among the highlights of the Tall Ships Races weekend will be the sold-out quayside concerts. The following top-flight acts will thrill fans in a 7,000 capacity purpose-built outdoor main at Peterson Seabase:

  • Deacon Blue (who will open the series tonight (Friday))
  • Ministry of Sound Classical
  • Tide Lines and Calum Bowie
  • Kaiser Chiefs

These concerts are sponsored by Scottish-heavyweight Tennants, promoting its "Outcider" brand.

Enjoy the carnival atmosphere in Aberdeen

Another moment not to miss will be the crew parade through the city centre on Sunday. This will include bands and musicians from the ships, plus the acclaimed Band of HM Royal Marines, all creating a true carnival atmosphere.

On Monday, the thrills and spills will go sky high when the acclaimed Red Arrows take to the air with one of their gravity-defying performances.

Bringing the Tall Ships Races’ visit to an end will be the "parade of sail" on Tuesday. This is when the vessels make their way out of the port to muster at sea, ready for the next leg of the race to Kristiansand in Norway.

On board will be hundreds of sail trainees from the north-east, ready for the experience of a lifetime. 

Aerial display with coloured smokeRed Arrows aerial display. © The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen

The partner organisations behind the event are Aberdeen City Council, Port of Aberdeen, and Aberdeen Inspired. They said they were thrilled to finally see the tall ships thronging the harbour after years of planning.

They all confidently predicted the city will be transformed into a carnival of colour and fun. Around 400,000 visits are expected to be generated over the four days. The festivities kick off with a ribbon cutting and formal opening at 9am on Saturday 19 July.

The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 is supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland, through their International Events Funding Programme.

Find out more at tallshipsaberdeen.com

The council's decision to bring the Tall Ships Races back to the city will create massive cultural and economic opportunities for the benefit of everyone.

This free festival for all ages and backgrounds will really strengthen our sense of community and belonging.

It will be especially good to welcome the crews and visitors, so that we can share the friendship and kindness, for which our city is famous.

There will be sights and activities for everyone to enjoy together. The amazing experiences of fun, learning, and teamwork will create long lasting memories. This is an important investment in the future of our city.

Councillor Martin Greig, Head of the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 organising committee and Aberdeen City Council's culture spokesperson

It is hard to believe this magnificent fleet has sailed into the harbour some three years on from the initial suggestion I made to Sail Training International about bringing the tall ships races back to Aberdeen.

In the many months between, there has been a power of work and a powerful partnership with all involved to have the tall ships bring their unique excitement and vibrancy back to the Granite City after 27 years.

We should thank everyone who made it happen for their blood, sweat and, I know, a few tears to get us to where we are today.

The Tall Ships Races don’t just bring a carnival to Aberdeen. They bring a wealth of opportunity for local businesses, so many already decked out to welcome our visitors, and a major boost for our economy, which will last long after the final parade of sail on Tuesday.

Adrian Watson, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Inspired

The sight of the Tall Ships Races returning to the city for the first time in almost 30 years, is one to behold.

This internationally renowned maritime festival is creating life-changing opportunities for young people and will create a lasting legacy for the city.

We have truly seen the best of Aberdeen in bringing the event the city and being here today with thousands of people.

The collaboration between the host port partners and supporting stakeholders is to be commended.

Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of the Port of Aberdeen

The Tall Ships Races are here, the stages are set, the stalls are ready, and one of the best entertainment programmes you will find in Scotland this summer is ready to burst into life.

Meanwhile, an army of volunteers is standing by to give a smiling welcome to hundreds of thousands of visitors.

So, I would urge everyone, young and old, far and wide, to come along to the Tall Ships Races 2025 and make memories to last a lifetime.

Emma Wadee, Project Manager for the Tall Ships Races 2025 at Aberdeen City Council

The Tall Ships Races 2025 is a spectacular highlight in what is an exciting summer of events across Scotland.

Hosting this world-class event will shine a global spotlight on Aberdeen and the wider region, showcasing everything it has to offer; from vibrant festivals and cultural experiences to rich history and stunning landscapes.

This event will not only reinforce Scotland’s reputation as a world-leading tourism and events destination, but it will also play a vital role in growing the visitor economy.

It will help bring communities together, support local businesses, and create unforgettable experiences for visitors, residents, and participants alike.

With an exciting programme of activity over the next four days, there’s a fantastic opportunity for everyone to get involved, enjoy the atmosphere, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events at VisitScotland

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