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Aberdeen this week
Issue date: Friday 8 May 2026
Covering: Friday 8 May 2026 to Thursday 14 May 2026
This week brings a handy mix of theatre, football, art-gallery music and the first night of Aberdeen Cocktail Week. There are also free family crafts, practical city-centre offers and a showery forecast, so keep a light waterproof close by.
Top 5 upcoming events
1. Mean Girls
The West End musical opens at His Majesty’s Theatre on Tuesday 12 May and runs into the weekend. This week’s performances include Tuesday and Wednesday at 7.30pm, plus Thursday at 2pm and 7.30pm; tickets are listed from £24.50.
2. Aberdeen Cocktail Week: Spring 2026
Starts Thursday 14 May and continues until Sunday 24 May across 27 city venues. It is over-18s, wristband-based, and venues are listing cocktails and mocktails from £6.
3. Aberdeen v Dundee United
Pittodrie hosts Dundee United on Saturday 9 May, 3pm kick-off. Home-supporter tickets are listed from £15, with family options available; the itison allocation notes no wheelchair access.
4. TV Classics at the Cowdray
Nova Quartet play familiar TV favourites at Cowdray Hall on Friday 8 May, 7pm to 8pm. Tickets are £16, or £12 concessions, and it is a neat one-hour culture stop in the city centre.
5. 2:22 A Ghost Story
The touring supernatural thriller finishes its Aberdeen run at His Majesty’s Theatre this weekend, with Friday 7.30pm and Saturday 2.30pm and 7.30pm shows. Tickets are listed from £20.
Food & drink
New opening or opening update: Miller & Carter Riverside is open now and taking bookings at Great Southern Road, Bridge of Dee, after replacing the former Harvester site. It is outside the centre, but useful for south-side plans.
Deal 1: Café Andaluz on Bon-Accord Street has a Spanish sharing feast for two with sangria, or a soft-drink swap, for £45; valid until 21 June, subject to availability.
Deal 2: Wild Ginger on Union Street has curry, rice and naan for two from £24, or two courses from £29; valid until 30 August, subject to availability.
Family-friendly picks
- Family fun: Drop-in craft sessions — Saturday 9 May, 1pm to 3pm, Aberdeen Art Gallery; free drop-in ArtCart Creativity for children aged 5 to 12 and families.
- BIG — Saturday 9 May, 11am, The Lemon Tree; a ticketed show for ages 3 to 6 about the excitement and nerves of starting somewhere new.
Music, theatre and culture quick list
- SCO: Schumann Cello Concerto — Saturday 9 May, 7.30pm, Aberdeen Music Hall.
- Seed Talks: The History of Mermaids, Sea Spirits & Women — Tuesday 12 May, 7.30pm, The Lemon Tree; tickets listed at £17.50.
- The Light House — Thursday 14 May, 7pm, The Lemon Tree; a touring theatre piece about care, loneliness and community.
- Lunchbreak Concert: North East of Scotland Music School — Thursday 14 May, 12.45pm, Cowdray Hall; pay what you can.
- Dave Formula & Noko — Saturday 9 May, 7pm, The Lemon Tree; Magazine material from the former band members.
Shopping and offers
- Union Square currently lists 20% off at Mint Velvet and complimentary styling sessions at Mint Velvet, Hobbs, Phase Eight and Whistles.
- Bon Accord has active retail offers including New Look 25% off coats and jackets, Smiggle 20% off full-price items, and Phase Eight up to 50% off.
- Very Spexy on Thistle Street has an eyewear styling consultation and single-vision prescription glasses package for £49, valid Tuesday to Saturday until 31 July; ages 16+.
- Union Square Quiet Hour runs each Sunday, 11am to noon, with selected retailers offering a quieter shopping experience.
Small business spotlight
Books & Beans on Belmont Street is a good pause between showers: a Fair Trade café and second-hand bookshop with breakfasts, toasties, soups, cakes and more than 10,000 used and new books across two floors.
Looking ahead
- Tom Stade: Naughty By Nature — Friday 15 May, 7pm, The Lemon Tree; one for next week.
- The Great British Bake Off Musical — Wednesday 20 to Saturday 23 May, His Majesty’s Theatre; tickets listed from £32.50.
- Aberdeen Highland Games — Sunday 21 June, 10am to 5.30pm, Hazlehead Park; a bigger summer diary date with traditional games, stalls and family activities.
Quick weather note
The Met Office forecast has Friday showery, Saturday cooler with sunny intervals, then more cloud and showers returning later in the week. Layers and a waterproof are the safe call, especially for evening plans.