Spectra Aberdeen 2026: Everything you need to know about Spectra, from locations to opening hours

Spectra, Scotland’s Festival of Light, is returning to Aberdeen this week to light up the dark February nights.

Celebrating its 12th year, installations and artwork will be on display around the city centre from Thursday to Sunday. Marking the theme of “Be Curious”, the 2026 edition of the event remains free to attend and open to all with each site wheelchair accessible.

Open to all and free to attend, the official theme of the festival’s 2026 edition is “Be Curious”.

With displays from large inflatable animals to immersive laser experiences, here is everything you need to know about Spectra Aberdeen 2026 - including display locations, and more.

When is Spectra Aberdeen 2026?

Spectra will return to Aberdeen from Thursday, February 5 until Sunday, February 8, with displays open from 5.30pm to 10pm daily.

What is this year’s theme?

This year, the theme of Spectra Aberdeen is “Be Curious”.

As such, the 2026 programme has been designed to challenge perceptions, inspire curiosity and reflection, and provide a little something for everyone to connect through the light.

The theme of Spectra 2026 is "be curious". | The Scotsman

READ MORE: Every road closure and restriction in place for Spectra Aberdeen 2026

Spectra Aberdeen 2026 Locations: What is on display this year and where can I find it?

Spectra celebrates its 12th year in 2026, and fittingly there are 12 installations and activations across Aberdeen City Centre to explore.

Union Terrace Gardens

Fire Garden

Fire Garden by Walk the Plank in Union Terrace Gardens. | The Scotsman

Union Terrace Gardens will be reimagined as a dramatic Fire Garden, complete with mechanical fire sculptures which are filled with flames, movement and sound. This installation has been created by outdoor arts experts, Walk the Plank.

Inspired by Spectra

Returning for 2026 is the Inspired by Spectra programme, which last year saw 1,200 pupils produce artwork for display in Union Terrace Gardens.

Aberdeen Art Gallery and Cowdray Hall

Solace

Solace by Amelia Kosminsky is inside Aberdeen Art Gallery's Remembrance Hall. | The Scotsman

Artist Amelia Kosminsky has reimagined her artwork Solace for Aberdeen Art Gallery’s Remembrance Hall. Composed of hand sewn lanterns, they invite audiences to imagine the journey of each lantern, with this iteration produced by Pinwheel and installed by Open Format.

Flux

As you walk into Aberdeen Art Gallery, you will be greeted by Collectif Scale's kinetic display, Flux. | The Scotsman

Elsewhere in the Art Gallery is Collectif Scale’s kinetic art installation, Flux, which is made up of 48 strips of light arranged in a circle. The structure moves at varying speeds and is controlled in real time, from slowly and poetically to a raging frenzy.

Storytelling

The final thing to check out at Aberdeen Art Gallery is perfect for children, with storytellers Pauline and Lindsey sharing a wide variety of tales including Scottish tales, fairy tales, folk tales, and creation myths.

St Nicholas Kirk

Flower Field

Created by Jigantics, Flower Field illuminates St Nicholas Kirkyard. | The Scotsman

A short walk away, there is then the Flower Field in St Nicholas Kirkyard. Created by artist Jig Cochrane and the team at Jigantics, this installation contains a number of towering bloods which help light the dark night.

Distopia

For Spectra 2026, Onda Studio's Distopia - an audiovisual show - has been projected onto the side of St Nicholas Kirk. | The Scotsman

Then the façade of St Nicholas Spire will host an audio-visual show which redesigns the building’s architecture. Created by Italy-based studio Onda, this display is led by Marcello Arosio and has appeared in cities including Milan, New York and Barcelona.

Follow Your Heart

Also in St Nicholas Kirkyard is Follow Your Heart by Laura Curran. | Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Commissioned as part of Spectra’s Micro-Commission Programme this year, Follow Your Heart by local artist Laura Curran encourages viewers to pause and observe it’s many ever-changing patterns of light. An original marimba composition accompanies this display, and its subtlety means it is easier to miss among the bolder Flower Field and Distopia.

St Nicholas Roof Garden

Stage of Light

Over at St Nicholas Bandstand, there will be live music performances from local and national musicians across the festival. The line-up should be arriving imminently, so keep and eye on Spectra’s website and social media feeds for more.

Marischal Square and Broad Street

Nocturnal

In front of Provost Skene's House are these two owls by Glow Art Creations. | The Scotsman

Marischal Square will host giant illuminated creatures from foxes to an owl as part of Lincolnshire-based Glow Art Creations’ Nocturnal installation. The playful inflatable displays will feature intricate black-and-white mandala patterns, and will likely satisfy the animal-obsessed in your life.

Parallels

Broad Street hosts the immersive Parallels by Architecture Social Club. | The Scotsman

Arriving on Broad Street is Parallels, an immersive installation that merges architectural light and sound, and inspired by the dynamic movements of nature. Best experienced, rather than photographed, Parallels is from Architecture Social Club and uses thousands of laser beams to create vivid environments which surround and engage spectators in a shifting visual narrative.

Mofingu

Also on Broad Street is WERC's Mofingu, which uses cameras to create a dynamic moving portrait of those who stop to observe. | The Scotsman

Also on Broad Street is Mofingu, by Dutch artist collective WERC. This installation creates an ever-changing portrait of every visitor who steps into view, using depth-camera technology. As visitors approach, the particles will scatter and reform, merging with new participants.

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Banned items: What can I take to Spectra Aberdeen 2026?

If you’re planning on heading to Spectra Aberdeen this year, there are a couple of things to be aware of.

Firstly, while bags are allowed, visitors are asked to avoid bringing large backpacks to the event and that there will be bag searches in place.

Professional camera equipment is allowed, but tripods are not. Monopods are permitted, but visitors are asked to be respectful of other visitors and avoid blocking the pathways.

Drones, however, are not permitted at all over the course of the festival and organisers warn that those who attempt to fly a drone will be reported to the police.

Dogs aren’t recommended, due to the expected crowds and noise, but well-behaved companions will be allowed in Union Terrace Gardens, St Nicholas Kirkyard and street locations, though they must be kept on a lead at all times.

Is Spectra accessible?

Each event site at Spectra is fully accessible for those in wheelchairs, with sites using routes that avoid stairwells. Visitors, however, are reminded that they should take extra care on uneven paths such as those around St Nicholas Kirkyard and entered Union Terrace Gardens.

Based on feedback from last year, Aberdeen City Council have made several arrangements to help accommodate those with accessibility requirements or additional support needs. Once again, they have partnered with We Too! and Abledeen to provide on-site support, with Abledeen based at the Town House with mobility equipment for those who need it.

This year there is also accessible parking, with spaces made available on Blackfriars Street, Queen Street and Littlejohn Street. These are for blue badge holders only, but are on a first come first served basis each evening.

As well as providing support, We Too! will be on hand - their “Ninjas” will be wearing bright green across the site - with visual guides as well as any sensory aides which may be required. The charity, for the first time, will also be offering a BSL tour of the site, with booking required.

Accessibility Welcome Desks at Spectra

There is an alternative entry system for visitors who are unable to queue due to disabilities, mobility issues or additional needs, and while it will help reduce waiting times there will still be some queueing due to the number of attendees.

Further information about accessibility can be found at designated desks in the Trinity Centre and the Town House, and those who require alternative entry must visit there first.

The Accessibility Welcome Desks will be open each day of Spectra, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

For more information, visit Spectra Aberdeen’s website.