Musical Memories is a friendly singing group for people with dementia, their partners, families and friends. Established and delivered by a dedicated group of volunteers, these sessions support wellbeing and improve brain activity, encouraging creativity and participation. Everyone is welcome - we look forward to singing with you! The series is supported by Alzheimer Scotland. 

Enjoy fun-filled morning of popular music with DJ Nina at our monthly daytime disco for little ones to enjoy with their adults! Coffees, cakes and juices are available to buy in the café to keep you well-fuelled and boogie-ing away.

More than a record of stitches, a sampler was also evidence of the sewer’s industriousness, obedience and virtue. These samplers from our collection provide insights into the lives of the girls who sewed them and the social, political and religious environment in which they lived in the 1700s and 1800s.

We’re working with Grampian Hospitals Art Trust to bring Artroom to Aberdeen Art Gallery. Led by professional artists, these weekly sessions are person centred and welcome adults of all abilities to experiment with art making in a variety of materials.  Grampian Hospitals Art Trust (GHAT) is an award-winning charity that exists to enhance the wellbeing of all who spend time in NHS Grampian or associated Health and Social Care facilities by providing access to quality arts experiences. Artroom at Aberdeen Art Gallery extends the programme to those out with the clinical setting.

A well-known established comedian, who performs stand-up in Glasgow and the surrounding area. He’s made appearances on BBC Radio Scotland’s Call Kay, and The Fred MacAulay Show. He’s also one of the most under rated comedians in Scotland. The man is a comedy legend. Support: Scott Forbes, Yvonne Hughes 18+ Doors 7pm Starts 7.30pm

Works on paper can be prints, collages or photography; they might be drawings made with charcoal or ink, painted with oil or dripped with acrylics, but all have one thing in common, which is that they are made on paper. This new display of works on paper from the Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums’ collection by contemporary women features celebrated artists such as American photographer Francesca Woodman (1958-1981), whose work was recently presented in a major exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London. The Nocturnes series by Glasgow School of Art graduate Caroline Walker (born 1982), is on display for the first time in Aberdeen, having recently been acquired for the collection. Other notable artists whose work is presented here include Scottish figurative and landscape painter Bet Low (1924-2007) and Elizabeth Ogilvie (born 1946), the Scottish environmental artist renowned for her work exploring the impact of climate change.

Get ready to discover monsters! Join us to explore the deep sea, with ancient and modern stories of strange creatures, sort out the fact from the fiction, learn about what really lurks beneath the waves and understand why tales of monsters persist. Historic and modern exploration equipment, and expeditions allow us to see the scientific discoveries that have changed our view of the oceans.  Legend, myth and modern-day science combine in Monsters of the Deep - a journey from the medieval mind to the modern-day mysteries of the ocean. This summer, take a deep breath and plunge down into the dark murky depths as we seek to explore the unexplained. Discover centuries-old myths and legends represented in medieval maps such as the Carta marina with its vividly-illustrated sea monsters, and the shapeshifting Selkies of Scottish folklore. Find out how stories of strange appearances and unexplained sightings continue to capture imaginations, fuelled by fake news and conspiracy theories, and surviving in science fiction books, comics and movies like Creature from the Black Lagoon and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. From a terrifying Feegee mermaid to the spindly legs of a giant Japanese spider crab, there are lots of strange and wonderful things to see in Monsters of the Deep. Come face to face with the skull of a terrifying killer whale, marvel at the double-tusked skull of a narwhal and the tooth of an extinct megalodon. Examine eerie deep-sea specimens and see some of the technological tools scientists use today to explore the bottom of the ocean – then you decide what lies beneath. Based on an exhibition originated by the  National Maritime Museum Cornwall 

The archive of the Port of Aberdeen contains hundreds of photographs that bear witness to the technological change that has taken place at the quayside over the past 100 years. This exhibition, timed to coincide with the Tall Ships Races arriving in Aberdeen this summer, displays some of these fascinating images from the collection. Not only do they illustrate how much has changed, but also how familiar many of the features are to the modern eye. Curated by Phil Astley

What relation exists between the great sea monsters of myths and tall tales, and the fossil reptiles and marine mammals that existed in the past? Darren Naish explores how a growing knowledge of animal life has influenced our perception of sea monsters throughout the past and present.

Artist and writer Viktor Wynd offers us a glimpse of his extraordinary, not to say infamous and eponymous, curiosity museum in London's West End. We may hear stories about Mermaids, Mandrakes, Monsters, Fairies, Shrunken Heads, Magickal Stones, Extinct Birds and travellers tales from his adventures in New Guinea and The Congo. Viktor is the author of three books. Cabinets of Wonders, The UNatural History Museum, and Dark Fairy Tales, and the proprietor of 'The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & Unnatural History’.

Join Tea Green at Aberdeen Art Gallery this summer for an unmissable market! Once again this beautiful venue will be packed full of an inspiring showcase of independent creative businesses based all across Scotland! Discover a carefully curated selection of sumptuous textiles, beautiful & bold jewellery, unique & functional ceramics, vibrant illustrations, and so much more! Featuring a dynamic selection of independent creative businesses, showcased across three days, Tea Green at Aberdeen Art Gallery is a must attend event! Be sure to join us and discover, support & celebrate Scotland's remarkable creative community. Established in 2014, Tea Green Events has emerged as a leading and prominent pop-up events platform. Over the past decade, they have been committed to championing Scotland's wealth of independent creative talent through thoughtfully curated events across Scotland.

Join Tea Green at Aberdeen Art Gallery this winter for an unmissable market! Once again this beautiful venue will be packed full of an inspiring showcase of independent creative businesses based all across Scotland! Discover a carefully curated selection of sumptuous textiles, beautiful & bold jewellery, unique & functional ceramics, vibrant illustrations, and so much more! Featuring a dynamic selection of independent creative businesses, Tea Green at Aberdeen Art Gallery is a must attend event! Be sure to join us and discover, support & celebrate Scotland's remarkable creative community. Established in 2014, Tea Green Events has emerged as a leading and prominent pop-up events platform. Over the past decade, they have been committed to championing Scotland's wealth of independent creative talent through thoughtfully curated events across Scotland.

For centuries, strange creatures washing up on our shores, unexpected catches by fishermen, and mariners' tales have fuelled curiosity about deep-sea life. Only recently have we been able to explore these depths and see the inhabitants "face to face." Since 1985, the Department of Zoology at the University of Aberdeen has been developing a robotic camera system to investigate deep-sea creatures in their natural environment. This talk will share findings from the last 30 years of exploration.

Talk by Professor John Spicer, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth Gigantism in marine animals, such as sea spiders and amphipod shrimp, is a common feature in the deep sea and Antarctic waters. In this talk we’ll explore the challenges of studying such amazing creatures in Antarctica. We’ll see why such studies are critical for understanding how marine life will be impacted in our warming world.

Join us for a day of PLAY at Aberdeen Art Gallery.  We’re hosting hands-on activities for children aged 2 to 5 and their grown-ups. Come along and create, play and be curious together.  Bookbug by Aberdeen City Libraries. Get ready to sing some favourite nursery rhymes and enjoy story time with Bookbug. 

Let your imagination run wild as you turn your drawings of sea creatures into your very own Monster of the Deep! Join artist Elaine Grant and use a variety of art and craft materials to create your unique sea monster. This hands-on workshop is perfect for kids and their grown-ups to enjoy together.

Join us for a day of PLAY at Aberdeen Art Gallery.  We’re hosting hands-on activities for children aged 2 to 5 and their grown-ups. Come along and create, play and be curious together.  Musical play tour with Music Bus Aberdeen  Youngsters are invited to go on a musical tour of the Art Gallery. We’ll be singing, wiggling and laughing our way around the gallery spaces. Featuring instruments, props and some classic children’s songs.

As part of your visit to the Art Gallery, drop by for creative sessions where the whole family can get involved. We'll be crafting amazing sea creatures using a variety of papers and card in inventive ways. Come and unleash your creativity together in this hands-on, drop-in activity that's perfect for all ages! Suitable for families with children aged 5+

Join Guthrie the Goose as each month he playfully introduces our youngest visitors to a different artwork or theme. Sessions can include a mixture of music, dance, crafts and games. Enjoy exploring the Art Gallery, getting creative and having lots of fun together. Expect something different every time. Playtime at the Beach  We’ll be making a splash and enjoying playtime at the beach. Come and enjoy story time, sensory play and crafting as we explore our seaside themed displays.  Wednesday 8 October   Afterglow  As colder days draw nearer, join Guthrie for all the cosy vibes as we explore an Aberdeen Art Gallery favourite, Afterglow by Joseph Farquharson. Expect plenty of games, stories and snowflakes.

Join us for a day of PLAY at Aberdeen Art Gallery.  We’re hosting hands-on activities for children aged 2 to 5 and their grown-ups. Come along and create, play and be curious together.  A space for children and their grown-ups to come together to play, be curious and be creative with simple, open-ended play resources. This is an un-structed drop-in session.

Expect tubes and pipes, big boxes, crates, reels, tyres, and lots more, creating a world of endless possibilities to explore and create. A space for young children and their grown-ups to come together to play, be curious and be creative with simple, open-ended play resources. This is an un-structed, loose parts play, drop-in session. Stay as long as you like and let your little one’s curiosity guide the play. Volunteers will be on hand to support. Suitable for pre-school children aged 2-5 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Join us for a day of PLAY at Aberdeen Art Gallery.  We’re hosting hands-on activities for children aged 2 to 5 and their grown-ups. Come along and create, play and be curious together.  Drop-in to our Learning Space between 10:30-12 noon and explore a host of creative activity stations. Expect plenty of painting, tinkering, drawing, cutting, spraying and collaging. Children might get a little messy so we recommend old clothes.

Join us for an engaging and interactive discussion with Professor John Spicer, marine zoologist at the University of Plymouth's Marine Institute. Discover the incredible benefits our ocean and its inhabitants provide us, from life-giving resources and hidden medicines to awe-inspiring stories and natural wonders—all seemingly for free!

To be ‘flighty’ is a gendered term. It implies a woman likely to forget or change their opinions; who is silly or unorganised. This talk is in support of flightiness, where we celebrate the work of the 12 women artists in the G16 Works on Paper exhibition. 

2025 marks the centenary of both the National Library of Scotland and the Art Gallery’s Cowdray Hall concert venue. To celebrate this shared milestone we’re taking part in the National Library’s Outwith programme, which brings an early edition of secular music to the Art Gallery. Songs and Fancies was published by John Forbes in Aberdeen in 1682. Join our panel of experts including Alison Stevenson, Director of Collections, Access and Research at the National Library of Scotland, Phil Astley from Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums, and Shane Strachan, writer, lecturer and former Scots Scriever, as they reflect on the past and present of these two cultural institutions and explore how historic collections can inspire new creativity and collaborations today.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant colours and textures of a coral reef during this two-day embroidery workshop led by Heather King. You will be introduced to a variety of three-dimensional hand embroidery techniques and stitches, learning how to combine them to create a stunning underwater scene. Workshop runs 11:30-15:30 each day. All materials provided.  No experience necessary. 

The Cowdray Hall comes alive with music and performance as we celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the hall. This beautiful concert venue with its exceptional acoustic was funded by a gift from Annie, Viscountess Cowdray, whose family has strong links with Aberdeenshire. It was constructed to encourage “a taste for art and music in the city of Aberdeen.” Join us for a day of music and entertainment from 10am, showcasing some of the best in local talent throughout the day. Many of our musicians will be giving pop up performances at Union Square from 10.30am so you can enjoy music as you shop.

Joseph Long is no stranger to the Cowdray Hall. One of Scotland's finest concert pianists, his extensive musical knowledge and repertoire embrace a vast canon of music from Bach to the present day. As part of Cowdray Hall’s centenary celebrations, this evening recital explores the themes of childhood with a programme including Children's Corner by Claude Debussy and Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood) by Robert Schumann.

Twelve Tables, twelve Dungeon Masters, and another day of epic storytelling. Join us for a day of inclusive, non-competitive, role-playing games, inspired by our special exhibition, Monsters of the Deep! … And this time we’re going to offer some alternative role-playing games alongside Dungeons & Dragons. Open to beginners, veteran players, and sea creatures alike.

Stop. Listen. Breathe. We invite you to immerse yourself in the astonishing clarity of four musicians, together and alone. Rising star Charlotte Bowden, soprano, offers up beautifully reflective and philosophical Handel, while violin, cello, and theorbo each take their turn in the limelight. Bach’s mesmerising and forthright third suite for solo cello contrasts with the obsessive tread of Biber’s ‘Guardian Angel’ Passacaglia, the final movement of his astonishing Mystery Sonatas.

These relaxed monthly meet-ups are perfect for trying your hand at something new, finding inspiration for your own projects and socialising with like-minded people. You can join in the planned activities or do your own thing – just come along and get creative! Materials are provided and an artist is on hand to offer guidance should you need it.  Friday 15 August  Nautical Decoupage with Lynsey Allan Inspired by the Tall Ships Races 2025 coming to Aberdeen, come along to create a nautical themed piece of home décor. Creating and adding design through the art of decoupage, this session will allow time to create a piece any seafarer would be proud of! Friday 19 September   Print A Monster of the Deep with Jade Anderson  Learn to create a mono printed imaginary Sea Monster using upcycled juice cartons. Jade Anderson will show you how to use household materials to print your own designs, consider the use of negative space and how a mono- tone print can shape your monster creation.  Friday 17 October   Draw/Doodle with Wire with Lynsey Allan  A relaxed session to explore the technique of drawing with wire. Make a collection of pieces to create a 3D doodle or work building your own unique piece of art. This session explores a calming and mindfulness craft exploring the technique of wire work.  

For blind or visually impaired visitors or for anyone who would appreciate more detail. Join us for this rich and detailed description of Coping Mechanism: to numb grief by artist Vicky Higginson who uses a variety of glass-making techniques to create complex sculptural pieces which combine colour, pattern, mark-making and form. 

The National Library of Scotland’s centenary celebrations see selected treasures from their collections go on display at venues around Scotland, including the Art Gallery. John Forbes’ Songs and Fancies, published in Aberdeen in 1682, is an early secular music book which would have been an important guide to students of music at the time. This loan also coincides with the centenary of our concert venue the Cowdray Hall.

Ethan Loch, an acclaimed Scottish pianist and winner of the BBC Musician of the Year Keyboard Category aged just 18, presents a captivating programme. His performance will feature works by composers who have profoundly influenced his musical journey, bringing their voices to life through his exceptional talent. Join us at 12.00pm for a pre-concert talk where we delve into Ethan's unique approach to music and the piano, shaped by his experience of being blind from birth. Presented in partnership with Haddo Arts. 

Celebrate the centenary of the Cowdray Hall, inaugurated by King George V and Queen Mary on 25 September 1925, with a special Lunchbreak Concert by renowned pianist Joseph Long. Joseph will perform a selection of Chopin's masterpieces, including the Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-flat major and the Barcarolle in F-sharp major. Pre concert talk: 12.00pm

The Bubblyjock Collective, an ensemble dedicated to performing classical and contemporary music by Scottish composers, presents their latest programme, 'QUINES'. This exciting new programme celebrates the works of female Scottish composers and highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women in Scotland's history. The concert will feature compositions by Claire Liddell, Isobel Dunlop, and Marie Dare, along with a brand-new commission created specifically for the ensemble. Pre-concert talk: 12.00pm

Drawing inspiration from the likes of Frédéric Chopin and Edvard Grieg, Scottish pianist Brian Davidson shares a programme of his own compositions including selections from his recent collections, The Music Box and Scottish Suite.  Pre-concert talk: 12.00pm

Scottish singer-songwriter Jenny Sturgeon and Indian Carnatic singer Rahul K Ravindran – both award-winning musicians - first collaborated back in 2016 and they are back performing together for this special one-off concert of songs which celebrate their cultures and musical storytelling.

As part of soundfestival 2025, Héloïse Bernard ("soprano full of charm and emotion”- RESMusica) and composer and pianist Electra Perivolaris (“a razor-sharp musical imagination” - The Telegraph) join forces in this recital themed around islands and identity. Featuring a world premiere of Perivolaris’ new song cycle ISOLA, written specially for Héloïse, surrounded by music ranging from Purcell to Barber.  Pre-concert talk: 12.00pm

Aberdeen City Music Service presents performances by children and young people receiving music instruction in Aberdeen City Council schools. Lunchbreak concerts offer an opportunity for both emerging and well-established musicians to perform in front of a live audience in the historic Cowdray Hall.

As part of soundfestival 2025, renowned accordionist Andreas Borregaard will present a unique performance of "My Favourite Piece is the Goldberg Variations" by Philip Venables and Ted Huffman. This piece is inspired by interviews with Susanne Borregaard, Andreas's mother, conducted during the summer lockdown of 2020. The performance will offer twelve snapshots of a life spanning seven decades, capturing intimate and poignant moments through music.

Cellist and performing artist Simone Seales is passionate about exploring how sound can reflect emotional states of being. In their debut album, 'I believe in living', Seales responded to Assata Shakur's poem 'Affirmation' through solo cello and voice, using Shakur’s evocative language as a springboard to create a sound world which holds space for discomfort, beauty, hope, and grief. Pre-concert talk: 12.00pm

Come with the Roarie Bumlers as we explore the meaning of peasebogle, tweavlet and dreich! As part of soundfestival 2025, Roarie Bumlers turns the volume up on the earth, bringing the landscape of lost Scots words for nature alive through sound and movement in this family-friendly show to transport the senses!

Soprano Heloïse Bernard and lutenist Eric Thomas will perform selections from John Forbes' "Songs and Fancies". Published in the latter half of the seventeenth century, this collection revisits some of the most beloved songs from Renaissance Scotland while also incorporating the latest trends in Italian music of the time. 2025 marks the centenary of both the National Library of Scotland and the Art Gallery’s Cowdray Hall concert venue. To celebrate this shared milestone we’re taking part in the National Library’s Outwith programme, which brings an early edition of secular music to the Art Gallery. Songs and Fancies was published by John Forbes in Aberdeen in 1682. Pre-concert Talk - 12:00pm

Soloists from North East of Scotland Music School celebrate 50 years of NESMS and share a selection of contemporary and classical music. 

As part of soundfestival 2025, Con Anima chamber choir will perform new works by emerging Scottish composers, following a three-month composer development project.  

Directed by Dr Gemma McGregor, the University of Aberdeen Renaissance Recorder Consort specialises in music from the Tudor period. Their repertoire spans from liturgical pieces to music for state occasions, offering a rich tapestry of historical sounds. The consort's learning process involves in-depth research into the customs and performance practices of the time, ensuring authentic renditions of these timeless works. Pre-concert talk - 12.00pm