News

Aberdeen City Libraries – Summer activities

Aberdeen Reads Summer Challenge (Reading challenge)

Open to everyone in the city, this year’s Aberdeen Reads Challenge will see Library Bear (LB) sail across the seas. This year, we are aiming to beat our total of 2800 books read across the city as part of last year’s challenge.  For every book or challenge logged, Library Bear will travel 10 nautical miles – trying to travel 30,000 (3,000 books) nautical miles and visits lots of fictional islands.  Get reading and Library Bear may visit your favourite book islands.

 

Young people aged 4-15yrs will be able to earn rewards throughout the summer for reading books and completing challenges.  A challenge card can be collected from any city library, with online cards available from the Aberdeen Reads website.  Young people will be able to collect up to two stamps for every visit to their nearest library.

 

This year, all participants will also receive a certificate.

 

Keep reading over the Summer and enjoy Library Bear’s adventures on the seas!

 

Water Safety & the RNLI

 

The RNLI will be visiting all the city’s libraries during July to promote water safety and to share the work of the charity.  The visits will be interactive, and we have heard that water and safety suits might make an appearance!

 

There will be sessions for all ages – session for 5-7yrs, 8-11yrs & 12-15yrs.  To book your youngster’s space at one of the sessions, head to the Library Events webpages.

 

Hebocon

Thanks to funding from the Public Library Improvement Fund, Aberdeen City Libraries will be hosting its inaugural Hebocon – a Japanese idea to encourage people to build the world’s best worst robot!  Young people can come along and build their own robot using old toys – think Sid from ‘Toy Story’.  No building experience or knowledge of robots is required to get involved in the Hebocon!

 

You’ll also have an opportunity to find out a bit more about the robotics and coding programmes the libraries are working on.

 

To book your space and find out more about the Hebocon go to https://bit.ly/heboconacl

 

Pond Dipping with Duthie Park Rangers

 

Join the Rangers at Duthie Park on the 16 July for two pond dipping sessions to support our water-themed reading challenge.  Find out what little minibeasts and creatures live in the pond at Duthie Park.  This is a double header of a session – 40mins pond dipping and 40 mins doing a game/craft.

 

Spaces are limited to 12 for each session.  Parents/carers will need to sign a permission form for their youngster.  You can book a place at Library Events

 

Rockpooling with Countryside Rangers

 

We are delighted to have Jack from the Countryside Rangers join us at Central Library for a fascinating talk about rockpooling on 11 August.  If you’d like to know more about the beasties that live in rockpools, this is the event for you!  Another interactive session for young people.  Further information can be found at Library Events.

 

Craft, Coding, LEGO and more @ ACL

 

We are not finished yet!  Libraries across the city will be hosting craft and story times, LEGO clubs and coding workshops throughout the summer.  Some sessions are drop-in and don’t require booking.  Head to Library Events or look out for poster/social media posts to find out what’s going on in your nearest city library.

 

Join Aberdeen City Libraries for a summer of fun!

 

SchoolsInformationFinal

Invitation to Aberdeen City Music School FREE Pop Concert – 2nd July 2025

On Wednesday 2nd July 2025, we will be performing a special family-friendly Summer Prom pop concert at King’s Church, Bridge of Don. This free event will feature iconic pop hits from the past 30 years, including current chart favourites, classic rock anthems, Bohemian Rhapsody, and even a touch of heavy metal!

 

Although ACMS is known for its work in classical, jazz, and traditional music, for one night only our talented young musicians will be showcasing something completely different in one of Aberdeen’s most exciting venues.

 

Concert Details:

  •      Date: Wednesday 2nd July 2025
  •      Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
  •      Venue: King’s Church, Bridge of Don
  •      Cost: Free admission – all welcome

 

 

Link to ticket booking:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2cK7hDoaJOPOJ-S5UjrbcgzMCPEJ0rjuWef7rqJ5gPYHpnA/viewform?usp=dialog

 

NYCOS Regional Choir Try-Out Session – Tuesday 3 June 2025

NYCOS (National Youth Choir of Scotland) recently visited a number of local schools — and it was a joy to hear how much the children enjoyed singing! They’re now inviting children who will be going into P4 and P5 after the summer to a fun and friendly try-out session for the Aberdeen Regional Choir.

If your child enjoys singing, we’d love to encourage you to take them along!

📅 Tuesday at 6pm
📍 Heathryburn Primary School
🔗 Book your free space here: www.nycos.co.uk/regional-choir-workshops-2025

NYCOS Aberdeen 3 June 2025

 

Light The Blue Festival

Light The Blue is an annual multi-artform festival for and by young people, celebrating the creativity of those aged 0-30 across Aberdeen and Shire. With events dedicated to family audiences, teenagers and emerging creatives, the festival offers a week of inspirational activity across our stages and beyond!

 

The 2025 festival features a series of exciting opportunities.  Running from Sunday 1st – Sunday 15th June, there’s something for everyone!

 

Full programme of events: https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/light-the-blue/

 

Family Arts Day 2025

Sunday 8th June, 12:00 – 17:00pm

An exciting day of pop-up, studio and interactive performances, arts activities, live music, sports, food, backstage tours and inspirational experiences for those aged 0-12 and their families. Watch over 200 young and professional artists perform; enjoy a family-friendly backstage tour of the iconic His Majesty’s Theatre; create your own arts and crafts; participate in drop-in sports activities; and soak up the atmosphere. Entry is free and you don’t need to book a ticket!

 

More information here:

https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/light-the-blue-2025-family-arts-day/

 

Find out more about Light The Blue on our website

Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Admissions 2025/26

🌟 Aberdeen Parents and Carers 🌟

Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Admissions 2025/26

Please be advised that applications for ELC Admissions for 2025/26 will be open from Wednesday 19th February 2025 through to Friday 7th March 2025.

Further details will be shared soon.

NYCOS – Aberdeen Regional Choir is recruiting!

We are currently recruiting new members who may be interested in joining our Aberdeen Regional Choir.

 

Our Aberdeen Regional Choir offers a fantastic environment for young singers to develop their vocal skills, make new friends, and participate in community performances. We welcome children of all ages and skill levels, and our rehearsals are designed to be both fun and educational.

 

NYCOS Events – 31 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite

 

Find out more at – www.nycos.co.uk

 

NYCOS Regional Choirs Team

Aberdeen City Music School

ACMS Annual Concert – Friday 21 March at 18:30 – Music Hall

 

We are delighted to provide details for our Annual March Concert, featuring performances from all the pupils of Aberdeen City Music School (ACMS), one of four specialist music schools in Scotland and based at Dyce Academy.

 

Tickets are FREE and now available directly from Aberdeen Performing Arts as follows.

 

Box Office 01224 641122

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

 

You can also click on our poster link – ACMS March Concert Poster 2025

 

 

Other ACMS opportunities / performances to look out for in Term 3

 

Remaining Come & Play Dates (all budding young musicians welcome)

17:45-20:00 Dyce Academy

07 January         Woodwind

08 January         Brass

27 February       Percussion

05 March            Acoustic Guitar

 

ACMS Auditions ACMS Audition Poster

14 January         Other dates will be available – just email for information

 

St Andrew’s Noon Recitals

11 January          S1 Pupils (All welcome)

01 February       Repertoire TBC (All welcome)

02 February       Choral Evensong

 

ACMS OPEN MORNING – ACMS Open Morning

02 February       All Budding young musicians welcome P5 onwards.

 

Cowdray Hall Lunchtime Recital

16 January by our S6 pupils – 12:45 (All welcome)

06 February by Ian Watt (ACMS Alumni)

06 March – Masterclass – Nigel Clayton/Imma Setiadi

 

FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US ABOUT THESE OPPORTUNITES AND TO FIND OUT WHAT ACMS HAS TO OFFER YOUNG MUSICIANS.

 

Aberdeen City Music School