Lights, Music, Action! What’s on Around Mayen in 2025
Asides from the sprawling stunning countryside, lush rolling mountains and gorgeous coastlines, there is plenty to do in Banffshire and beyond. Our local area is jam-packed with fantastic experiences, festivals and family events that you simply wouldn’t want to miss out on!
1. Spectra Festival of Light (6th – 9th February)
Brilliant projections, live-performances and larger than life installations mark the eleventh year of Scotland's Festival of Light!
With a jam-packed programme of artwork and local artist collaborations which will light up Aberdeen's iconic city centre, with landmarks including Marischal College, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Union Terrace Gardens featured during the exhibition.
And of course, the magical festival is free to attend, drawing over 100,000 guests from near and far last year!
2. Aberdeen Tall Ships (19th – 22nd July)
All aboard Europe’s largest free family event this Summer with the 2025 Tall Ships Race which will stop over in Aberdeen in July! Over 50 Tall Ships will dock in Aberdeen and put on an incredible display as they sail France, Norway and Denmark and a fantastic programme of events are3 planned over the four day extravaganza including daily celebrations, ship tours, ceremonial crew changes and great entertainment, all completely free of charge!
The Tall Ships Races | Aberdeen | 19-22 July 2025 | Tall Ships Aberdeen
3. Highland Games – Saturday, 23rd August 2025
We are so proud of our Scottish Heritage and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation over the centuries, and Scottish Highland Games remain one of the most popular attractions for tourists and locals alike.
For over 200 years, the Lonach Highland Games have been celebrating and preserving Scotland’s traditions and heritage, originally founded to lift public spirits after the devastating post-Culloden Battle era.
Featuring a seven mile march from the immaculately kilted Lonach Highlanders, the event is a brilliant day celebrating Scotland’s traditional sports, music, dancing and entertainment. A true testament to sportsmanship, why not let the community of Lonach welcome you into their hearts and enjoy a fabulous day out of community spirit and good old family fun!
Slightly closer to home, the Aberdeen Highland Games (Sunday 15th June 2025) is another highlight on the calendar with a diverse display of traditional Scottish sports, competitions, stalls, stage entertainment and a very warm family environment to be enjoyed by all.
4. MacMoray Festival (19th – 20th April)
Kicking off Easter Weekend and the start of the festival season is the famous MacMoray music festival in Elgin this April! An excellent family day out with fantastic stalls, family entertainment, traditional music and a brilliant funfair, this years’ lineup already features Nathan Evans, The Vengaboys and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers to name a few. Tickets are now on sale and booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.
5. Speyfest (25th – 27th July)
Another festival not to be missed, we are so excited about the return of Speyfest this July! Showcasing the very best in traditional and contemporary Folk and Celtic music, Speyfest is now in it’s 28th year and is one of the best celebrations of Scottish music in our area. A warm community spirit welcomes everyone who attends and includes a dancehall, tented village, family activity workshops and plenty of fine food and fayre over the 3 day event.
6. Glenglassaugh Portsoy Boat Festival (27th – 29th June)
Sailing into the historic fishing harbour of Portsoy, the 32nd Portsoy Boat Festival is one of the largest maritime celebrations in Scotland. Offering so much more than its name suggests, the famous festival entertains tens of thousand of guests with intriguing stalls, brilliant music, dancing, live traditional entertainment and so much more!
