Spectra, Scotland’s Festival of Light, will return to the north-east from February 5 to 8 next year, lighting up the city centre through various installations.
Attracting those from across Scotland and beyond, visitors to the much-loved festival can expect iconic city locations to be transformed through breathtaking light installations, with a free programme of artworks situated across the city.
This year, the festival's theme is ‘Be Curious,’ and the soon-to-be-announced programme has been developed to explore, discuss and conceptualise this theme, challenging perceptions and asking visitors to never stop exploring and seeking new experiences and knowledge.
Entering its 12th year in 2026, the festival is a highlight for many Aberdonians, Scots and those beyond Scotland, with the date firmly cemented in various event calendars.
With the pilot event in 2013 attracting 10,000 visits, the festival has grown spectacularly over the years with Spectra 2025 attracting over 100,000 visits over the four-day festival, with over £4.3 million visitor spend to the local economy.
Image: Ian Georgeson.
With a mix of large-scale light installations, projections and interactive artworks, visitors will experience the full line up of art across Aberdeen’s most iconic sites such St Nicholas Kirkyard, Union Terrace Gardens and Aberdeen Art Gallery. The full festival line-up will be announced very soon.
Bringing warm light to the cold dark winter evenings, the free to attend festival hopes to bring the community together, highlight Aberdeen’s iconic landmarks, and showcase the city centre’s hospitality offering.
Spectra is funded, owned and commissioned by Aberdeen City Council and is produced by Live Event Management.
Councillor Martin Greig, cultural spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council, said: "It's great that we are bringing Spectra back to the city centre in February.
"This is Scotland's Festival of Light and I can't wait to see the city centre filled with thousands upon thousands of families and visitors. Everyone enjoys the sight of the installations shining and sparkling alongside the wonderful heritage of our city centre.
"Aberdeen City Council is very proud of this event. It has been a pleasure to support this important community initiative each year. Free, high quality, cultural activities like Spectra bring considerable economic and social benefits to our city.
"The contribution to wellbeing and enjoyment is huge. I am delighted that Spectra has grown over the years and is now recognised as one of Scotland's leading winter celebrations."