Applications also invited for £1000 funding pot from last year’s event

The date has been set for the Celebrate Aberdeen parade 2026. The event, which will be held on Saturday, August 29, showcases the enormous contribution that charities, voluntary groups, and social enterprises make to life in North-east Scotland.

Organised with support from Aberdeen City Council the parade through the city centre 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 groups who’d like to participate is open until Friday, July 31.

More than 120 organisations across Aberdeen City and Shire took part in last year’s event, bringing together thousands of participants and spectators and a small army of additional volunteers who come along to help out on the day.

“This first parade was held in 2011, and it is still a special and significant part of the city’s events calendar,” said Celebrate Aberdeen volunteer Emily Findlay.

“The organisations that take part make a huge difference to lives right across the North-east of Scotland, and the event is an opportunity to acknowledge the rich diversity of these groups and the work they do. It’s an inspiring mix of not just the third sector, volunteers and charities but of many of the groups that enrich the cultural offering of the region.

“Watching them progress along the parade route is a spectacular sight, filled with colour, music and pure joy and it’s a truly uplifting experience for those taking part and for the spectators.”

Every year, funds from the collecting buckets carried by volunteers, along with a donation from Celebrate Aberdeen, is given to one participating group. Organisations that took part in the 2025 Celebrate Aberdeen parade have until Friday, May 1 to submit an application to be considered for a £1,000 donation to support their work, with one recipient being chosen by a panel of judges.

The Union Street mile races, which immediately precede the parade also return for 2026. Organised in association with Celebrate Aberdeen by Myles Edwards and the Gathimba Edwards Foundation (GEF) team, the race was renamed Mel’s Union Street Mile, in memory of Myles’ dad Mel.

Application for the races, which cover both children and adults, are now open on the GEF website.

← Back to what's happening