Aberdeen this week
Issue date: Thursday 21 May 2026
Covering: Thursday 21 May 2026 to Wednesday 27 May 2026
There is a practical mix this week: a big feel-good musical at HMT, smaller theatre and live music, plus a few city-centre offers that are more specific than the usual shopping-centre roundup. Also worth noting: Voi bikes are starting to roll into Aberdeen, with 350 coral e-bikes planned for pay-as-you-go trips via the app.
Top 5 upcoming events
1. The Great British Bake Off Musical
AOC Productions bring the musical comedy to His Majesty’s Theatre from Thursday 21 to Saturday 23 May, with bakers, songs and stage chaos inspired by the famous tent. It is listed as a family night out, with booking via Aberdeen Performing Arts.
2. HMT Public Tours
The next His Majesty’s Theatre backstage tour is Saturday 23 May at 10am. It is a 90-minute look around the city-centre landmark, led by volunteers, with standard tickets listed at £12.50.
3. What's Left
Jane Williams brings a one-hour work-in-progress solo show to Aberdeen Arts Centre on Sunday 24 May, 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets are pay what you can, with a £10 minimum, and the age recommendation is 16+.
4. Richard Thompson & Hamish Hawk (solo)
Folk-rock guitarist and songwriter Richard Thompson plays the Music Hall on Tuesday 26 May at 7.30pm, with doors at 7pm. Tickets are listed from £47.50 to £62.50.
5. Allegra
Dame Maureen Lipman stars at His Majesty’s Theatre from Tuesday 26 May, with 7.30pm performances inside this week’s window on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets are listed from £17 to £50.
Food & drink
New opening or opening update: No genuinely new, live-verified food or drink opening stood out this week; we’ll keep this slot for confirmed openings rather than recycling older launches.
Deal 1: The Tilted Wig voucher spend: From Monday 25 May, itison has £25 or £50 food-and-drink vouchers from £15 for the recently refurbished Castle Street pub, valid until 31 August and subject to availability.
Deal 2: Social Monkey dining: The Union Street Italian spot has two-course dining for two from £29, with optional wine or a boozy lunch upgrade, valid until 31 August with booking conditions.
Family-friendly picks
- Munelle School of Performing Arts Presents: Shine: A children-led adventure about confidence and kindness at the Tivoli Theatre, with shows on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May and tickets listed at £23.50.
- Hobbycraft May Workshops: Union Square lists ongoing half-term crafting sessions, a practical rainy-day option if you are already in the Guild Street area.
Music, theatre and culture quick list
- Revolution Days: A 70-minute theatre piece at Aberdeen Arts Centre on Tuesday 26 May at 7.30pm, with standard tickets listed at £14.50 and age guidance 14+.
- A Play, A Pie and A Pint - Kenmure Street: Running at the Lemon Tree until Saturday 23 May, with limited availability listed by Aberdeen Performing Arts.
- May Music Extravaganza: A Saturday 23 May Music Hall listing for anyone after an easy city-centre music plan.
Shopping and offers
- Style for your Shape: The size-inclusive womenswear boutique has moved within the Trinity Centre to the former Claire’s Accessories unit, and is advertising 10% off with code SHOP10 until Sunday 24 May.
- Heritage Salons gel nails: Gel fingers or toes start from £19, with Bridge of Don and Inverurie venues listed and validity until Saturday 27 June, subject to booking availability.
- House of Deluxe & Aesthetic Touch treatments: A new-to-itison Berry Street offer lists 30, 60 or 90-minute treatments from £19, valid from Friday 1 May to Saturday 29 August with advance booking required.
Small business spotlight
Sofra: This Skene Street Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant is a handy pre-theatre choice, with a current itison dining offer from £20 and a location listed as less than five minutes’ walk from His Majesty’s Theatre.
Looking ahead
- TechFest Family Activity Weekend: Plan ahead for Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May at The Sir Ian Wood Building, Robert Gordon University, with drop-in STEM workshops and hands-on activities for families and young people.
- Aberdeen Highland Games: Sunday 21 June at Hazlehead Park, starting at 10am, with piping, Highland dance, heavy events, tug of war and a family entertainment arena listed.
Quick weather note
The current Met Office Aberdeen forecast points to a warm few days, with rain possible Thursday evening and again later on Friday, then brighter spells through much of the weekend. Light layers should do for daytime plans, but keep a waterproof handy for evening moves between venues.