Aberdeen Performing Arts

12/06/2026

It's the FINAL weekend of Light the Blue 2026! ⚡️

We've had some great events, performances and development opportunities for the young people of Aberdeen and beyond.

Thanks to everyone that's come along so far and participated, but we're not done yet!

STILL TO COME

🔹 20 Tiny Plays About... - Fri 12 & Sat 13
A showcase of short plays and stories devised, written, directed, designed and performed by Aberdeen Performing Arts’ Youth Theatre.

🔹 TAKEOVER - Sat 13
Follow our city centre trail and discover pop-up performances from local youth groups based across Aberdeen city, shire and wider Scotland.

🔹 Gray's Degree Show Tours - Sat 13
Come on an inspiring journey through creativity at the Gray’s School of Art Degree Show 2026! Join us for guided tours led by one of our Graduating Students.

🔹 Then. Now. Next. - Sun 14
Across an intensive five-day process, young artists experiment with movement, text and whatever else they can get their hands on, remixing and reimagining past, present and future. What’s kept? What’s cast aside? And what gets passed on anyway?

🔹 The Big Gig - Sun 14
Get ready for The Big Gig – an electrifying showcase celebrating the extraordinary musical talent of young people from Aberdeen and the wider North East of Scotland.

We'll see you for an electrifying, final weekend of the festival that is made for and by young people.

https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/light-the-blue/

11/06/2026

Aberdeen Grammar School pupils put their grey cells to work for Granite Noir’s 10th anniversary in February - and the results are nothing short of brilliant!

Students took part in writing and research workshops before crafting their own crime stories set in the past of the Granite City. The standard was exceptional, with three stories selected to be read aloud by their authors or a professional actor at this year’s festival.

A team of young illustrators then stepped in, creating artwork to bring each tale to life. Their words and images are now published in a special book, produced by Grammar School staff and students. A copy of the book has been gifted to each contributor as well as the school library to act as a legacy for the project.

A copy of the book is currently on display at the Music Hall as part of Light the Blue 2026 - building a creative bridge between our festivals and celebrating the next generation of storytellers. Be sure to drop in and see the results for yourself!

A huge well done to everyone involved. You’ve raised the profile of Granite Noir among young people and created an unforgettable learning experience.

08/06/2026

The DEADLINE for the ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT role has been extended to 14th June 📣

📍 The Lemon Tree | 💼 Full-time (37 hours)

More details and how to apply at:
https://aberdeenperformingarts.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoard/Opening.aspx?v=f58675e7-f905-45ad-815c-86e41faa4334

🎭 We’re hiring: Assistant Accountant

Aberdeen Performing Arts is looking for an Assistant Accountant to join our team, supporting the delivery of finance operations across our iconic venues.

📍 The Lemon Tree | 💼 Full-time (37 hours)

This is a great opportunity for someone looking to develop their accounting career in a creative, collaborative environment, working at the heart of a busy arts organisation.

If you’re detail-focused, motivated, and enjoy working as part of a team; we’d love to hear from you.

⏰ Apply by Sunday 7 June
👉🏻 https://bit.ly/4vawZ6M

06/06/2026

It's looking a little cloudy but all activity for Family Arts Day is going ahead as planned.

We'll be monitoring the weather as the day goes on but hopefully it stays nice and clear for us 🤞

Hope to see many of you there! 💙

06/06/2026

NEW CALL-OUT FOR MUSIC COMMIISSIONS 📣🌍

We are seeking 2 composers or musicians to create new works in direct response our Dear Soil Installation, an archive of love letters written to the ground beneath our feet.

Each commissioned artist will spend time with the letters: reading, listening, sitting with what they find and creating a new piece of music to be performed at the Music Hall Big Sky Studio on October 1st during North East Climate Week.

👉 For more information and on how to apply visit: Dear Soil: An Open Call for Music Commissions
📅 Deadline for applications: Friday 19 June 2026, 5pm

05/06/2026

Who's ready for Family Arts day this Sunday? 🖐️

Taking place across Union Terrace Gardens and His Majesty’s Theatre, Family Arts Day invites those aged 0 – 12 and their families to spend the day with us.

Entry is free and you don’t need to book a ticket – come along from 12pm – 5pm for an unforgettable, fun and creative time.

And if you are joining us, bring along your Teddy Bear pups and join in with 'Tufts'. A comedy, walkabout piece of theatre.
P.S. Teddy bears only, we cannot accept real dogs! 🧸

05/06/2026

We've got a bunch of special exhibitions happening in the Music Hall for Light the Blue ⚡️ Have you seen them yet?

Come in and read the lovely letters people have left for soil, see if you can add to our balloon collection with the help of a see-saw, admire the beautiful art that talented young artists in hospital settings created and read the very sweet postcards that P1 - 7's wrote to their future selves 💙

02/06/2026

Light the Blue starts today!

Our very first event Into the Arts is well underway and pupils are having a great time learning about career options within the arts. From lighting to sound, stage and directing, there's many pathways for young people to explore.

Later on in the day 📣

We've got a Zero Waste Instrument Making Workshop happening in the Music Hall for anyone looking for an after school activity with their young one.

https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/play-space-listen/

And tomorrow! Don't forget to join us for Various Stages where emerging artists will share their new writing, devised work and performances before it reaches the big stages.

https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/various-stages-light-the-blue-2026/

See you then 👋

30/05/2026

Light the Blue opens next week! ⚡️

The festival For and By Young People begins next Tuesday and will run until Sunday 14th June.

We've got a packed programme with big day events for all the family, professional work that’s never been seen before, shows for babies and teenagers, exhibitions which will evolve throughout the festival, large-scale schools performances, bold new youth-led work, tours, workshops and lots more for all ages.

So many groups have been hard at work behind the scenes so come along to show your support, be curious and celebrate the joy of telling stories with us 💙

https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/light-the-blue/

📸 Glen Cairns Productions

27/05/2026

✨ Put Your Brand Centre Stage at His Majesty’s Theatre ✨

Almost a quarter of a million people took their seats at His Majesty's Theatre in the last year - and each one of them could have the chance to look at your company by advertising on our safety curtain. We have a limited number of available for new advertising partners this year and this opportunity offers:

⭐️Visibility to a highly engaged audience
⭐️Aligning your brand with a local cultural institution
⭐️A strong reach across Aberdeen and the wider region

Whether you are building awareness, looking to increase your customer base or launching something new, this is your chance to step into the spotlight.

Interested? Then please contact [email protected] for further details.