Over 30 Aberdeen businesses to create own stunning Spectra displays as they join light festival

The festival will run from February 6 to 9
-Credit:Ian Georgeson


Aberdeen city centre is set to dazzle even brighter during the Spectra Festival, with local businesses joining in the spectacle and offering visitors the chance to win £100 Aberdeen gift cards.

As part of a creative shop front campaign funded by Aberdeen City Council’s City Centre Events Grant Scheme, 35 businesses will each receive 50 LED-illuminated balloons to craft their own sparkling window displays.

The initiative will add an extra layer of colour and creativity to the festival, running from Thursday, February 6, to Sunday, February 9.

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But the excitement doesn’t stop there, as each participating venue will also hide a mysterious envelope within its display, and one lucky visitor per day will discover an envelope, containing a £100 Aberdeen gift card. Other envelopes may hold discounts, vouchers or fun surprises.

Danuta Dobrzanska, Business Engagement and Development Manager for Aberdeen Inspired, said the initiative gives local businesses the chance to be part of the Spectra experience.

"Aberdeen is going to a blaze of colour for the four days of Spectra, and we wanted to give businesses the opportunity to add their own dazzling flair to this hugely popular festival," she said. "The sky really is the limit for what they can do with these star-filled balloons."

Danuta also highlighted the fun treasure map element of the campaign. "It will be great fun for people to visit the participating shops to see if they can find the ‘golden ticket’ in the envelopes on display - a £100 Aberdeen gift card offers a fair bit of spending power with local businesses."

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Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s Culture spokesperson, praised the initiative, saying: "We are delighted that so many local businesses are keen to support this year’s Festival of Light. Our one-off Spectra grants have been designed to help businesses make the city centre even more vibrant during the festival."

Spectra 2025 will feature 15 breathtaking light installations, as well as street performances, dancers and musicians. Owned and commissioned by Aberdeen City Council, with Aberdeen Inspired as a festival partner, the festival remains free to attend and continues to attract thousands of visitors each year.