The Celebrate Aberdeen Awards 2026 is now open for nominations.

In its seventh year, the event recognises and celebrates the outstanding positive impact that individuals, organisations and volunteers from across the North-east’s third sector make to thousands of lives across the region.

The awards are open to all third sector organisations in Aberdeen city and shire, including charities, social enterprises, voluntary groups and those who volunteer for third sector organisations.

The focus of the entries should be on activities carried out between April 1st, 2025, and March 31st, 2026.

Submissions are invited for eight categories – Large and Small Organisations of the Year, Community Impact, Young Supporter, Volunteer/Fundraiser, Event/Campaign, Heart of the Community and Team of The Year and organisations can submit applications for a maximum of three categories.

Deadline for submitting applications is Monday, August 17th with finalists announced on Wednesday, September 16th. Three finalists will be selected in each category with informal interviews with the judges taking place in October.

Winners will be named at a gala awards ceremony, which will be attended by more than 300 people, at Aberdeen’s Chester Hotel on Saturday, October 31. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors from Aberdeen business community up to five representatives of each finalist organisation or individual can attend the ceremony completely free of charge.

“There is an incredible amount of outstanding work taking place right across the region every year, much of it by largely unsung heroes in the third sector. We always receive a high calibre of submissions which reflect some of this work and we hear of many heartwarming stories and truly inspirational people.” said Celebrate Aberdeen volunteer Emily Findlay.

“Past winners and finalists have come from a diverse range of organisations, large and small, but they’ve all made a significant positive impact on the people they support so we encourage all eligible groups to apply for these awards. We’d especially like to see organisations that have never submitted applications before come forward and those who may have applied previously but been unsuccessful on that occasion apply again.”

“Without the support of sponsors who generously provide all the funding for this event, and the hard work of our small team of volunteers, the event could not take place,”

This is the second event in the 2026 Celebrate Aberdeen calendar.

The Celebrate Aberdeen parade, which is watched by thousands of spectators, will take place on Saturday, August 29, when around 130 organisations will follow a route down Union Street and through the city centre.

First held in 2011, the parade brings together an eclectic and inclusive group of third sector organisations, cultural organisations, youth groups, sports clubs, and music, dance, and entertainment groups. Registration for this year’s event closes on Friday, July 31.