Aberdeen’s Spectra Festival Lights Up the City
The four-day event featuring illuminated art installations and performances drew over 100,000 visitors.
It was amazing to see Aberdeen’s streets alive this weekend—proof that when you give people a reason to visit, they’ll come. Spectra, Scotland’s free Festival of Light, drew over 100,000 visits across four days, filling the city with glowing installations like a giant slinky, a neon colouring wall, and a high-powered light beam sending Morse code messages into the night sky. Now in its 11th year, the festival blended 15 illuminated artworks with street performances, creating a magnet for locals and visitors alike.
For Fiona Doherty, who travelled from Livingston after winning a social media competition, the event was a chance to rediscover her hometown. “It’s been amazing to visit Spectra,” she said. “Taking the train made for a really easy and stress-free trip, with my little girl enjoying the lights and atmosphere. We’ll definitely visit again!”
A wonderful spectacle
Local regular Scott Morrice echoed the sentiment: “Spectra is such a wonderful spectacle. I come every year, and it’s great to see so many people out when the city centre needs a boost.”
Highlights included a 50-metre sensory walkway by Lucid Creates, pulsing with strobe lights and heartbeats of local residents, and a large-scale video installation in Aberdeen Art Gallery’s Sculpture Court. The latter, created by Scottish artist Council Baby, wove stained-glass-inspired animations with nods to the city’s history—now part of the gallery’s permanent collection. Collaborative projects, like Craig Barrowman’s virtual exhibition with Gray’s School of Art, added depth, while the iconic ABERDEEN letters outside Marischal College drew crowds before returning to Union Terrace Gardens.
More big events to come in 2025
Councillor Martin Greig highlighted the festival’s role in Aberdeen’s cultural calendar, linking it to the upcoming Tall Ships Races—a summer event set to draw global attention.
As organisers gather feedback through a visitor survey, Spectra’s success serves as a reminder: invest in creativity, and communities will respond. With the city poised to host more events this year, Aberdeen’s blend of heritage and innovation continues to shine.
