Alive with Events and Festivals

Whether you're a regular visitor to the region or this is your first time in the north-east of Scotland, it's well worth checking out what's on.

Within Aberdeen City, highlights include Word Festival 2009 in May which brings you a fabulous selection of 60 authors and 130 events covering everything from poetry and prose to film screenings and workshops. Hosted in historic Old Aberdeen, the event is supported by activity throughout the month in Aberdeenshire at Wordfringe.

If you love the arts then don't miss COAST Festival which celebrates the visual arts on the rugged Banffshire coastline. The 2009 festival in May offers a Local Art Fair and a Local Food Fair and includes exhibitions at the historic Duff House, home to collections of the National Galleries.

Continuing the coastal theme, the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival at Portsoy in July offers a colourful mix of arts and crafts, music, good food, sailing and running.

For an authentic Scottish welcome don't miss the City of Aberdeen Highland Games in June, only one of a huge number of Highland Games which occur throughout the summer months in Aberdeen City and Shire, including the often star studded Lonach Highland Games. The North East Clan Fortnight in July and Aberdeen's Tartan Day in August features a very special sight - The Gordon Highlanders International Beating Retreat.

If the performing arts are your cup of tea then why not check out the Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) in July and August. AIYF is the world's leading festival of youth arts and year on year attracts a wealth of talent from all over the world.

With so much going on, visit our regional website for more events information.

Discover Aberdeen - The Granite City

Aberdeen offers a multitude of sights to explore. Shop ‘til you drop in the city centre, have a bite to eat or drink in one of Aberdeen’s many bars before a trip to the theatre or take a relaxing walk along the beach promenade on a sunny day.

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