Your chance to get out and bask in the warmth of the city's cultural scene.
Hey you,
Can we be honest here amongst friends? November in Aberdeen can feel a wee bit forboding. The granite, the darkness, the North Sea chill. The city closing in on itself as the evenings get properly dark. It's easy to hunker down and wait for December to give you permission, or even demand that you do something.
But then the sun breaks through at that low angle and everything changes. The granite glows gold for twenty minutes and the whole city transforms. It doesn't last long, but it matters. It's why you're here. You remember that Aberdeen can be beautiful.
Would you like to see your message here? Let's talk.
POST highlights Aberdeen’s creative scene, from theatre and music to visual arts. We focus on showcasing the city’s unique talent and supporting local voices.
Through stories, artist profiles, and event coverage, we’re here to share what makes Aberdeen vibrant. Sign up for free or support us and go ad-free for just £3 a month.
The big stuff is there if you want it. Three pantos are starting their runs across the city's theatres. JLS are bringing their arena tour to P&J Live. A Peruvian production of Hamlet, touring comedians like Deirdre O'Kane and Phil Kay, musicians passing through. It's the city taking its place in wider culture, plugging into what's happening elsewhere.
We always take a closer look here at POST though. We like to keep a keen eye on the smaller things that feel unique to Aberdeen. A festival creating queer space across four days. Community mornings running on donations over tea and coffee. Punk artwork going up alongside beat poetry about turning 70. A bedroom project that emerged from lockdown now performing live. Open mic nights, craft fairs in Banchory, a magical society celebrating a century.
People are building a warm cultural community here. We love reflecting some of that light your way. The big events connect you outward, the smaller ones root you here. Both matter. Both are there when the darkness sets in and you need somewhere to go. Step into a venue on a cold evening and your mood shifts. Life transforms for a couple of hours, the way that low sun transforms the granite.
Fleeting, but worth catching while it's here.
Stay cool.
Chris & Kevin xx
What’s on in November
Jamie Reid: Eternal Ecstasy
Until 6 Dec | The Worm
The Sex Pistols’ art director’s work is celebrated through archival material spanning Suburban Press, political poster art and esoteric paintings on raw canvas. Co-curated with John Marchant Gallery, the show explores Reid’s practice beyond punk into decades of political and spiritual work.
A newly editioned screenprint of Reid’s first Sex Pistols artwork launches during the exhibition. Made at Peacock after Reid’s passing in August 2023, the print recreates his DIY aesthetic and is signed by guitarist Steve Jones.
John Forbes’ Songs and Fancies
Until 4 Jan | Aberdeen Art Gallery
Part of the National Library of Scotland’s centenary celebrations, this display features an early secular music book published in Aberdeen in 1682. Songs and Fancies served as an important guide for music students at the time.
The loan coincides with the Cowdray Hall centenary. Related events include performances of the music for voice and lute, talks on early Aberdeen printing, and activities celebrating the partnership between the National Library and local venues.
Emily Mitchell: Place of Solace
Until 11 Jan | The Small Gallery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Drawings and paintings created during and after Mitchell’s studies in Scotland and Germany. The multidisciplinary artist works outdoors, sketching plants to document their growth and letting surroundings guide experimental approaches to capturing nature.
The exhibition showcases work from the past few years, rooted in observation of the natural world. Mitchell studied 3D Design at Gray’s before returning to drawing and painting as a way to process thought and emotion.
That Conversations Event
6 Nov | Foodstory
A facilitated evening for pairs who already know each other. Bring a friend, partner or family member for structured activities that move beyond everyday chat into deeper territory.
Three activities guide the evening, including writing words to describe each other and swapping appreciations. Phones stay away, and the focus is on attentive listening and sharing between people who care about one another.
Hamlet
6-8 Nov | His Majesty’s Theatre
Teatro La Plaza’s production of Hamlet is performed by a cast of actors with Down syndrome, presented in Spanish with English subtitles. Following its sell-out Edinburgh International Festival run, the Peruvian company brings their interpretation to Aberdeen.
Director Chela De Ferrari weaves Shakespeare’s text with personal reflections from the cast and choreography, exploring what it means to exist in a world that often excludes. The Saturday matinee is a relaxed performance with Makaton signing.
Les Misérables School Edition
6-8 Nov | Aberdeen Arts Centre
St Margaret’s School for Girls presents the school edition with an all-girls cast. The musical follows Jean Valjean’s journey from prisoner to redemption, pursued by Inspector Javert across post-revolutionary France.
Victor Hugo’s story of sacrifice and broken dreams unfolds through characters including Fantine, Cosette, Marius and Éponine. The production features iconic songs such as I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own and Bring Him Home.
Aberdeen Queer Arts Festival
6-9 Nov | Various Venues
Four days of queer creativity across Aberdeen venues, featuring cabaret, comedy, music, panel discussions and workshops. The programme includes drag workshops, a tea dance, community open stage and talks on queer representation in literature.
The festival celebrates LGBTQ+ artistry with events at the Lemon Tree and Aberdeen Art Gallery. Highlights include performances, thought-provoking panels and opportunities to dance in fine company across the November weekend.
JLS: The Club is Alive - 2025 Hits Tour
7 Nov | P&J Live
The pop quartet return with their arena tour featuring support from Example. The show runs through their catalogue of number one hits including Beat Again, Everybody In Love and The Club Is Alive.
JLS bring choreography, fan favourites and a visually substantial production. Their previous headline tours in 2021 and 2023 demonstrated their ability to fill arenas with an energetic, polished pop show.
The Nutcracker
8 Nov | Tivoli Theatre
Aberdeen Academy of Performing Arts Ballet students perform the Christmas classic alongside professional dancers Matisse Love and Aaron Smyth from the USA. The production brings the festive tale to life from the Christmas Eve party through to the enchanted Land of Sweets.
A timeless ballet suited to audiences young and old. The evening includes international dances, the Waltz of the Flowers and the Sugar Plum Fairy’s reign, with the pas de deux between Clara and the Nutcracker.
Treasure Hub Open Day
8 Nov | Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Behind-the-scenes tours of the storage facility where Aberdeen’s collection is cared for when not on display. Meet the team and volunteers who look after the artworks and artefacts, and learn about conservation methods.
The tours include examples of toys and games from across the ages. Last tour departs at 3:15pm. Limited parking available, with the number 12 bus stopping nearby at Fowler Avenue.
Speakin’ Weird
10 Nov | The Blue Lamp
A night of poetry, prose, stories and comedy in one space. Whether you’ve got something to share or just want to listen, it’s a relaxed way to connect with Aberdeen’s spoken-word scene.
Sign up to perform on the night. Poetry, comedy, prose, angry rants and introspective musings all welcome. Featured poet Bonnie performs alongside open stage contributors.
Carlton Kirby’s True Tales of the Tour de France
11 Nov | Aberdeen Arts Centre
The cycling commentator shares stories from 25 years covering the Tour de France and major races in conversation with former Procycling writer Duncan Steer. Behind-the-scenes tales from budget European hotels and accounts of his dealings with British stars.
Kirby reflects on commentary during a golden age of British cycling, including Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish. The evening includes audience questions.
Claudia Buckley: Come On In and Sit Right Down
11 Nov | Tivoli Theatre
Irish country singer Claudia Buckley performs with her five-piece band and special guest Tony Allen. The Galway performer has six number one singles in the Irish Country Charts and blends traditional country, pop and bluegrass.
Buckley’s repertoire includes hits such as Drinking with Dolly, Diane and Come On In. The three-time Female Entertainer of the Year winner recently took Female Vocalist of the Year at the Hot Country Music Awards.
A Play, A Pie and A Pint: Death of an Influencer
11-15 Nov | Lemon Tree
Gerry has spent decades performing in small-scale theatre with his partner Peter, mourning failed ambitions. When his social media star son Tyler arrives with news, Gerry confronts the reality of being overshadowed by his child’s flourishing career.
Matt Anderson’s comedy-drama explores the difficulty of parental pride when your offspring outstrip your achievements. Produced by A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Òran Mór, the show includes a pie and pint with each ticket.
Deirdre O’Kane: O’Kaning It
13 Nov | Tivoli Theatre
Irish comedian Deirdre O’Kane brings her stand-up show to Aberdeen, mining personal insight and everyday chaos for laughs. The show was postponed from its original October date and forms part of Aberdeen Comedy Festival.
O’Kane’s comedy draws on the human condition with warped perspective and relentless energy.
flock: Contemporary Craft & Design Fair
14-16 Nov | the Barn, Banchory
Forty-five Scottish makers present ceramics, jewellery, woodwork, textiles and glass across three days. Visitors can shop directly from independent makers and hear the stories behind their work, from statement pieces to smaller items.
Free admission with advance booking recommended. A raffle featuring prizes from exhibitors raises funds for the Barn’s creative programmes. Maker-led workshops run in the lead-up to the fair, including paper folding and silver ring making.
Citizen Papes
15 Nov | The Blue Lamp
The Glasgow bedroom project performs live, drawing on influences from Bon Iver and Vampire Weekend alongside folk music traditions. Citizen Papes began during the pandemic and has since moved from solo recordings to live performance.
The show is presented by AGP. The project blends indie sensibilities with folk roots, creating music that emerged from isolation and has grown into a touring act.
Fin Hall: Act My Age
15 Nov | Unit 3 Eco Centre
Beat poet laureate Fin Hall performs a solo show exploring life as a septuagenarian. The performance celebrates turning 70 without slipping into nostalgia, examining what it means to age in the present moment.
Hall’s work looks at the realities and freedoms of being 70 now, through the lens of beat poetry. The show offers a frank, grounded perspective on a life stage often glossed over or sentimentalised.
Hue and Cry: Electro Acoustic
15-16 Nov | Lemon Tree
Pat and Greg Kane perform their electro acoustic show, returning to keyboard and voice. The format strips back to how the brothers started, refreshing catalogue material alongside classics like Looking For Linda and Labour of Love.
The Scottish duo formed Hue and Cry in 1983 and have sold over two million records. They’ve received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Scottish Music Awards and performed alongside artists including U2, James Brown and Van Morrison.
Greyhope Morning: One Wee Bit of Grun in Torry
18 Nov | Greyhope Bay Centre
Local historian John Dunn traces the history of a single piece of ground in Torry from 1746 to 2025. The talk explores what existed on the site over nearly three centuries and the people who used it.
Free tea and coffee are served by volunteers. Greyhope Mornings run on donations, with free tickets available for those unable to contribute towards the unfunded community event series.
Afro Indie Series 4.0 - League of the Extraordinary
21 Nov | Lemon Tree
Independent African artists take the stage for the fourth edition of this celebration of music and culture. The evening creates space for cultural exchange and connects music lovers across Aberdeen and beyond.
The theme, League of the Extraordinary, brings together rhythm, artistry and storytelling. The series continues to showcase outstanding talent from the African diaspora in an intimate venue setting.
Phil Kay
21-22 Nov | Breakneck Comedy
The improvised comedian performs two nights of unpredictable stand-up. Kay works without a set structure, creating spontaneous material that changes each performance and involves the audience in the moment.
Since starting out in 1989, Kay has toured constantly and remains a fixture at Edinburgh Fringe. His approach relies on improvisation and energy rather than scripted material, making each show distinct from the last.
Gray’s School of Art: 140 Years - Never Make a Head Bigger Than a Melon
22 Nov - 12 Apr | Aberdeen Art Gallery
A major exhibition marking 140 years of Gray’s School of Art, using the 1966 relocation from Schoolhill to Garthdee as a lens. The show explores shifts in studio practice, teaching methods and the school’s evolving identity across generations.
Works by artist-educators including James Cowie, Henderson Blyth, Sylvia Wishart and Joyce Cairns sit alongside pieces by current staff and alumni such as Andrew Cranston, Callum Innes and Tako Taal. Curated by Dr Judith Winter and Sally Reaper.
Aberdeen Magical Society Annual Show
25 Nov | The Sportsman’s Club
Ten magicians from Aberdeen Magical Society perform, representing styles from comedy magic to close-up work. The line-up includes society president Garry Seagraves, comedy poet Sid Ozalid, and local magicians Paul Rae, Carl Howse and James Dickson.
The evening is hosted by award-winning magicians Eoin Smith and Magic Jono. The society, founded in 1926, celebrates its 100th anniversary next year and has expanded this year’s line-up from eight to ten performers.
FINE Creative Continuum
26 Nov | Aberdeen Arts Centre
A monthly drop-in gathering for creative workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire run by peer-led network FINE. The informal session offers time to chat, meet other creatives across disciplines, and discover what’s happening locally.
The Creative Continuum has no fixed agenda. Sessions might include a speaker, games, or outings to local exhibitions. Anyone involved in the arts in the north east is welcome at this free social meet-up.
Elisabeth Flett: No Such Thing As Kelpies Book Launch
29 Nov | But n Ben Books, Stonehaven
Elisabeth Flett launches her collection of 13 queered Scottish folk tales and fantasy re-imaginings. The stories weave together contemporary fantasy with fairy tale fragments, featuring selkies seeking revenge, girls who refused to save unloved brothers, and wishes that go awry.
Flett is a writer, theatre-maker, musician and feminist troublemaker. The book blends very old tales with entirely new ones, offering alternative readings of familiar Scottish folklore through a queer lens.
Cinderella
29 Nov - 4 Jan | His Majesty’s Theatre
Joe McFadden and Dawn Steele lead the cast as Prince Charming and Fairy Godmother, with Alan McHugh returning as dame Baroness Heifer McHardup. The traditional pantomime follows Cinders from rags to riches with her wicked sisters providing obstacles.
The production includes comedy, scenery, costumes and the expected pantomime ingredients of boos, hisses and audience participation. Paul J Corrigan plays Buttons, with Danielle Jam as Cinderella and Julie Coombe and Helen Logan as the sisters.
Robin Hood
29 Nov–24 Dec | Aberdeen Arts Centre
This year’s Arts Centre panto brings Robin Hood to Aberdonia, with Doric jokes, daft songs and a cast made up mostly of local talent. Philip Napier returns as dame Nurse Little Joan.
The show blends traditional panto fun with a distinctly north-east flavour, packed with in-jokes, sing-alongs and family-friendly mischief. Young dancers from Danz Creations join the professional cast across the festive run.
Vagrant Real Estate: Neither Collar Nor Crown
30 Nov | All Streaming Platforms
Aberdonian producer Vagrant Real Estate releases his new album featuring 25 Scottish artists across hip-hop, folk and Gaelic traditions. The project pairs spoken word, choir, brass and MC work from contributors including Iona Fyfe, Bemz and Jackill.
The LP draws on Scottish trad music alongside contemporary production, with orchestration and beat programming sitting beneath storytelling in English and Gaelic. The first track, Go With The Flow is released on 7 November.
Aladdin
5-21 Dec | Tivoli Theatre
Attic returns to the Tivoli with a local take on the pantomime favourite. A cast of Aberdeen performers brings the story to life with an original script and music, promising a version rooted in the city.
The production offers a family pantomime with the traditional story told through local voices. Attic’s approach emphasises community theatre and homegrown talent across the three-week run.
That's it for this month. If you've got a cultural event coming up, let us know. We're here to share what's happening, especially the smaller things that deserve attention.
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See you out there catching the light, or back here next month.
K+C xx
