Light the Blue Leads a Packed June at APA Venues
New work, big names and youth-led ideas fill Aberdeen’s theatres next month
June is shaping up to be a lively month across Aberdeen Performing Arts venues, with a packed programme that puts young voices, big names and local talent centre stage. From the Music Hall and His Majesty’s Theatre to the Lemon Tree, something is happening almost every day, whether you’re in the mood for a polished production or something a bit more offbeat.
Much of the buzz comes from Light the Blue, a youth-led festival that fills the first half of the month with shows, exhibitions, workshops and family events. It’s less about polished outcomes and more about ideas in progress, early steps, and inviting audiences into the process.
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Next Up from the Belmont? A Lost Cinemas Walking tour with Hidden Aberdeen, and Nautical Screenings in partnership with Aberdeen Art Gallery’s Monsters of the Deep Exhibition.
Big names and full houses
On the bigger stages, The Waterboys (11 June) bring their shape-shifting sound to the Music Hall, with Scottish Opera’s The Merry Widow following at His Majesty’s (12 and 14 June). Kathryn Joseph appears at the Lemon Tree on 5 June with music from her upcoming album, while The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (17–21 June) brings a well-known story to life with full West End production values.
Also making a splash this month: Rob Beckett’s new comedy tour (25 June), and Encore, Danscentre’s showcase of young dance talent (5–7 June) across ballet, tap, and contemporary styles.
New work, early stages
Light the Blue opens with Emerge Day on 1 June. It’s a full schedule of rehearsed readings, solo shows and scratch performances from early-career artists, with a day ticket covering the lot. There’s also a dedicated slot for artist advice sessions, offering emerging creatives time with professionals from across the sector.
The Music Hall hosts two visual exhibitions throughout the month. One features a new mural created by young people from displaced backgrounds working with Ursula Kam-Ling Cheng. The other pairs artwork from hospital-based Artroom sessions with new music from Sound’s Get Creative Orchestra.
Family days and youth-led events
The second weekend is all about families, with Family Arts Day (8 June) filling Union Terrace Gardens, His Majesty’s Theatre and Aberdeen Art Gallery with crafts, music and performances for ages 0 to 12. Elsewhere that weekend, early years shows like Doon the Watter and Zooom take to the stage, alongside a procession through the gardens led by young musicians and artists.
That same spirit continues into the week with backstage tours for school groups (9 and 13 June), a behind-the-scenes arts careers day (10 June), and Class Act Aberdeen (11 June), where student-written scripts are performed by professional actors at the Lemon Tree.
Music, poetry and moments of calm
There are quieter moments too. Key North play their biggest gig yet at the Lemon Tree on 7 June, while The Big Gig (15 June) brings youth ensembles together in one collaborative concert. For those after something reflective, Seed Talks explores the science of trauma (17 June), and the Loud Poets Slam returns with a local heat on 19 June.
Later in the month, the Aberdeen Performing Arts Community Choir holds its annual concert (24 June), and Aberdeen City Orchestra closes things out with a film-themed programme at the Music Hall on 28 June.
It’s a busy few weeks, but there’s a real sense of care in how it’s all been put together. Across the whole programme, artists of all ages and stages share space in ways that feel open and generous. Tickets for all events can be purchased from the Aberdeen Performing Arts website.
