Let loose with little ones at the Tall Ships Races

Press and Journal

13-06-2025

There's no doubt the Tall Ship Races will be a spectacle when it takes place in Aberdeen from Saturday July 19 to Tuesday July 22 2025, and it will provide days out to remember for all ages.
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However, for little ones, it offers a unique chance to create truly magical memories and ignite their imaginations with all the fun, colour and excitement the event brings to Aberdeen.
From spotting Captain Jack the pirate, exploring mythical monsters of the deep and stepping on board the tall ships to the best picnic spots to rest and refuel, here's how to make the most of the Tall Ships Races with kids.
The Tall Ships certainly look like they are straight out of a swashbuckling fairytale, and many certainly have interesting tales to tell – and a good story always captures a child's attention!
For example, the stunning Wylde Swan is the largest two-mast topsail schooner in the world, while the Sorlandet is the oldest full-rigged ship in operation in the world and first crossed the Atlantic in 1933!
The tall ship Belem is over 120 years old and began life as a cargo ship transporting sugar from the West Indies as well as cocoa and coffee from Brazil and French Guiana to Nantes in France. It's also been a private yacht for the 2nd Duke of Westminster and even sailed the seven seas under ownership of beer baron Sir Arthur Ernest Guinness.
You wouldn't know to see it now, but the Thalassa actually sank in 1885 and has been totally rebuilt and refitted by owners Arnold Hilkema and Jacob Dan.
Many of the Tall Ships docked at Port of Aberdeen's North Harbour will open their decks to the public during the event, offering a unique chance to explore these magnificent sailing vessels up close.
In their 'day jobs', many of the Tall Ships are training hubs for young people – who knows, perhaps your little one might discover a passion for sailing the high seas!
Across all four days the streets of Aberdeen feature a vibrant schedule of daytime entertainment including performances by local artists, ship bands, traditional sea shanty groups, street theatre and more.
Keep an eye out and spot the Captain Jack lookalike, giant seagulls, and enjoy street theatre performances that will vary across the days. These include Ocho the Octopus, Long Time No Sea, The Mermaid, and Ooorargh Pirates.
And don't miss out on your chance to get a picture with the Tall Ships mascot, Dorry the Dolphin, who'll be out and about during the four-day festival.
A highlight of the Tall Ships Races, the Crew Parade will bring colour and joy to the streets of Aberdeen. Taking place on Sunday July 20 at 4pm, the Tall Ships crews are known to really embrace this event, dressing up and performing during the parade, making it a truly memorable event.
Starting on Union Terrace and finishing at Quayside, the parade route follows School Hill, Broad Street, Castle Street, Marischal Street and Regent Quay before finishing at Peterson Seabase ahead of the Prizegiving Ceremony.
Definitely a spectacular you won't want to miss, the Red Arrows will take to the skies above Aberdeen for a thrilling 22-minute show taking place on Monday July 21 at 5:30pm. The Beach Esplanade will be the perfect viewpoint.
No matter your age, one of the key moments to witness at the Tall Ship Races 2025 is the Parade of Sail. Taking place from 10am on Tuesday July 22, it's a remarkable sight, you'll see all the incredible ships parade together along the Beach Esplanade towards the start of the race.
Two large vessels brandishing water cannons will mark the starting line approximately 4km out at sea.
The Discovery Zone is a STEM zone featuring organisations running family friendly come and try activities, alongside pop-up performances and a colouring wall.
Packed-full of things to see and do, highlights include getting hands on with seashore life with the Macduff Marine Aquarium's Mobile Touchpools and taking on a boat building challenge with Aberdeen Science Centre. There are also LEGO workshops and virtual reality experiences with Skills Development Scotland.
Once the Discovery Zone has been explored, a visit to the fabulous funfair on King Street in the city centre will win bonus points with kids of all ages during the Tall Ships Races.
The funfair is being run by Codona's Amusement Park, the renowned funfair adjacent to Aberdeen's beachfront that has been a mainstay of family fun in the city since 1970.
Another must visit destination with the kids is the Family Zone at Blaikie's Quay. With a focus on fun for all ages, it features a giant sandpit, Ferris wheel and children's entertainment.
Have a monster loving tot? Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction? at Aberdeen Art Gallery uncovers myths, legends and strange creatures, and delves into what really lurks beneath the waves.
Take a deep breath and plunge down into the dark murky depths to explore the unexplained. Examine eerie deep-sea specimens, come face to face with the skull of a killer whale, marvel at the double-tusked skull of a narwhal and the tooth of an extinct megalodon.
Find out how stories of strange appearances and unexplained sightings continue to capture imaginations, fuelled by conspiracy theories, science fiction books, comics and movies like Creature from the Black Lagoon and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
As part of the exhibition, which is currently running through until October this year, related events are also taking place at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum and Aberdeen Treasure Hub. Download the full programme of events here.
Aberdeen Art Gallery and Maritime Museum will open until 8pm during the Tall Ships Races.
When hunger strikes, you'll be spoilt for choice with a line-up of more than 50 food trucks to choose from – covering every taste imaginable from Mexican burritos to Chinese noodles, Korean street food or freshly baked Italian pizzas. There will be fish and chips, burgers and fries, salt 'n' chilli chicken and vegan and veggie options.
Among the operators catering at the event will be well known local names such as Calum's Kitchen, Quismat Street Food, Little Molly's Cheesecake, Drumsleed and Watermelon Catering.
Even the most intrepid little marine explorers might need a little downtime, and a family picnic makes the perfect excuse to take a little time out from the fun and excitement before heading back to action.
Aberdeen Beach and Queens Links are a short walk away from Port of Aberdeen and offer golden sands, grassy areas, and a vibrant esplanade with cafes and ice cream stalls.
A little further out, Greyhope Bay is another great picnic spot being a scenic headland offering panoramic views of the harbour, and as a bonus it's ideal for dolphin spotting too.
Finally, what summer day out with the kids is complete without ice cream? Renowned ice cream parlour Mackie's 19.2 in Marischal Square Courtyard will be selling limited edition ice cream flavours specially created for the event. And with indoor seating available, all ages can relax and enjoy an ice cream treat no matter the weather!