Light the Blue Releases Full Lineup for 2025 Festival
Two weeks of youth-led performances and events set to energise Aberdeen this June.
Aberdeen’s theatres, gardens, schools and streets will come alive with creativity this June, as Light the Blue returns with two weeks of performances, workshops and unexpected moments—all shaped by young voices. From 1 to 15 June, over 1,000 young and professional artists will join in more than 25 events across the city.
This year’s theme, Step into the Unknown, encourages artists and audiences to leave expectations behind. Whether you’re watching theatre in a shopping centre or hearing new music at a bandstand, the festival is full of experiences that offer something different.
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Made by and for young people
The programme is grouped into four strands: Young Artists, Young Audiences, Schools and Emerging Artists. Each strand supports creativity at different stages, from children performing for the first time to early-career artists developing new work.
“This year’s festival is about abandoning expectations and exploring new ideas,” said Creative Producer Jordan Blackwood. “Young creatives have helped shape the planning, promotion and running of the festival—not just the performances—and that’s brought a fresh perspective to everything we do.”
Festival highlights
Family Arts Day on Sunday 8 June is a mainstay of the festival, stretching across Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen Art Gallery and His Majesty’s Theatre. There will be craft workshops, sensory spaces, interactive performances, backstage tours and live music. The event ends with Sprog Rock leading a joyful parade of young people in handmade costumes and puppets.
Class Act Aberdeen returns on 11 June, bringing together pupils from Hazlehead Academy, Inverurie Academy and Gordon Schools in Huntly. Supported by Traverse Theatre’s flagship model, they’ll write original scripts. Then they’ll be performed by professional artists.
For primary pupils, Snappy Operas on 5 June offers a high-energy evening of contemporary mini-operas performed by over 100 children from Skene Square, Muirfield and Cornhill. The performances are created in just five sessions, with support from Mahogany Opera and a live band.
New perspectives and local voices
Secondary pupils will also have the chance to explore what happens offstage, with a full-day event on 10 June at the Music Hall. Pupils will get hands-on experience in programming, design, technical roles and more—led by Aberdeen Performing Arts and partner organisations including the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and North East Scotland College.
Emerging artists aged 18–30 are at the heart of the Emerge event on 1 June. The day features work-in-progress performances across drama, dance and spoken word, and offers space to connect, share ideas and receive feedback in a supportive setting.
One of the more playful shows, Tongue Twister, comes to the Lemon Tree on 7 June. It’s a solo performance blending dance, music and language, with one performer racing through tongue twisters in multiple languages while navigating costume changes and live music—all without leaving the stage.
On 14 June, the festival spreads across the city centre for The Takeover—a youth-led trail of free performances curated by the Light the Blue Young Programmers group. Running from the Anatomy Rooms to the Music Hall, the trail will feature theatre, music and dance in a mix of public and pop-up spaces.
A joyful finale
The festival ends on a high with The Big Gig on Sunday 15 June, hosted at the Music Hall. This youth-led concert brings together groups from across the region, including Big Noise Torry, Scottish Culture & Traditions Youth, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Music Services, and Sound. The result is a celebration of musical creativity rooted in the North East.
Whether you’re stepping on stage for the first time or just curious to see what the city’s young creatives are working on, Light the Blue is full of fresh ideas and surprising moments. Most events are free or low-cost. Full programme details can be found on APA’s Light the Blue homepage.
