The Granite City became the Carnival City today as thousands of people flocked into the heart of Aberdeen to watch the spectacular Tall Ships Races crew parade.
The atmosphere was electric as cheering crowds greeted the bands, some 2,000 international crew members and proud sail trainees from many of the almost 50 beautiful vessels berthed at Port of Aberdeen for The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025
The parade – one of the biggest events of the weekend of celebrations - made its way through packed streets, winding from Union Terrace and Rosemount through to Broad St and finishing at the Peterson Seabase main stage on Regent Quay.
En route they treated the cheering and waving crowds an array of colourful costumes, national dress, pounding Latin rhythms, dancing, chanting and even juggling and a Loch Ness Monster.
Adding some pomp and circumstance to proceedings was The Band of HM Royal Marines who led the parade along its route with military precision.
Among the thousands of people enjoying the spectacle were Barbara and Nick Pilichos, from Redmoss.
Barbara said: “I thought the parade was absolutely amazing, really good. All the colours and all the effort people put into it with the costumes. Just the happiness and the joy that everyone had. “The Tall Ships Races has brought a lot of people back into Aberdeen and that is a good sign.
Nick said: “It’s just so good to see Aberdeen busy and vibrant again. We can build on this atmosphere. From this we know Aberdeen can come together and bring people out. Hopefully there will be inspiration for more things this.”
Kerry Fyfe, from Dyce, watched the parade with her mum, Lorraine, and children Max and Amaya.
“The parade was really good. It was nice to see all the different countries and their interpretation of a parade. The South American ones were definitely the best. The city is really buzzing and it’s nice to be part of it.
Asked what she thought The Tall Ships Races had done for Aberdeen, Kerry said: “Just look at it, look at all the people. It is brilliant and put us on the map. It has done so much for Aberdeen. The people of Aberdeen want something like this to come and enjoy and celebrate.”
Karen Hislop, from Bridge of Don, lined the parade route with husband Michael, mother-in-law Sheila and daughter Nicole.
She said: “The parade was really good, very impressive and lots of colour, just great to see. There was lots of good music. It was a great atmosphere and so good to see lots of crowds coming out in Aberdeen.”
The Crew Parade was immediately followed by another celebration of the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen with a crew prizegiving event, with trophies being handed out including ‘Most Welcoming’ to Dar Mlodziezy and ‘Team Spirit’ to the Gulden Leeuw.
The partner organisations behind the event – Aberdeen City Council, Port of Aberdeen and Aberdeen Inspired – said they were delighted by the huge success of the crew parade.
Councillor Martin Greig, chair of the Aberdeen Tall Ships organising committee, said: “The crew parade has been a joyful celebration of friendship and talent right in the heart of our city. It has been inspiring to see the passion and fun shared by residents and visitors. This event lifts the spirits and makes you proud of what we can achieve together.
“The Tall Ships is all about learning and teamwork and we are really seeing the benefits in the city centre and around the harbour area. It is great time that so many are taking part in this positive activity."
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “It was so uplifting to see so many crew members from around the world, bringing a taste of their homelands and culture to the streets of Aberdeen. And how wonderful to see the pride – and smiles – on the faces of our sail trainees. They are on the voyage of a lifetime and the Crew Parade has created a memory that will live with them forever.”
Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of Port of Aberdeen, said: “We can’t thank enough the thousands of people who lined the streets and clapped, cheered and waved so enthusiastically. Once again, the people of Aberdeen have shown they know how to party.”
And party was what 7,000 people also did yesterday evening as the danced the night away at the Ministry of Sound Classical gig at the purpose-built main stage on Peterson Seabase.
Local party-starters Look Busy Collective kicked off proceedings, followed by dance music legend Paul Oakenfold, before the Ministry of Sound Classical orchestra blew the crowd away with classics such as Sandstorm and Insomnia.
The party continues this evening (SUNDAY) when Tide Lines and Calum Bowie play a charity “thank you” gig at Peterson Seabase in support of Aberdeen RNLI.
And the fun will continue tomorrow from the bustling market of Curated On The Quayside showcasing the cream of north-east makers, creatives and businesses, to the family zone at Blaikie’s Key with its giant sandpit and Ferris wheel.
In the mix are stages offering free music day and night, along with a plethora of pop up bars and food stalls.
Beyond the harbour area, there is a Discovery Zone with STEM activities for young and old at the Castlegate, a funfair on King Street, and a Military Village along with other stalls and activities at Union Terrace Gardens.
Also, shops, pubs, restaurants and businesses across the city centre have also pushed the boat out, decked out in bunting and posters ready to welcome the 400,000 visits the Tall Ships Races could generate.
Tomorrow (MONDAY) will also have the Red Arrows performing amazing aerial acrobatics just off the coast with the Esplanade as an excellent grandstand for thousands of fans.
And in the evening the Kaiser Chiefs will headline the last Quayside Concert in a keenly anticipated gig.
Tuesday will see the spectacular Parade of Sail as the Tall Ships leave port to muster at sea ready to start their race to Kristiansand in Norway.
For more information on the Tall Ships including the full programme of events visit www.tallshipsaberdeen.com.
