Celebrate Aberdeen festivities cancelled for 2020

The organisers of this year's Celebrate Aberdeen festivities have cancelled the parade and events weekend - and awards ceremony - due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The main event had been scheduled for the weekend of August 29 and 30, with the awards ceremony due to be held three weeks later.

Founder Morven Mackenzie said: "Although the events are still some months away, we have made the decision to cancel.

"Last year we had 4,000 people parading with thousands more turning up to watch the parade. Because of the scale of event, we didn't feel it was appropriate for it to go ahead this year.

"It's deeply disappointing of course, because Celebrate Aberdeen was founded to showcase and celebrate the enormous contribution that charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises make to the lives of countless people. The awards night takes that one step further by recognising outstanding contributions made by individuals and organisations across the third sector.

"We are now looking at ways that Celebrate Aberdeen can continue to support and promote what all these groups are doing to help others in these difficult and challenging times. The third sector has been a lifeline for so many people during this time and now more than ever there is a lot to celebrate." 

Last year, more than 150 organisations took part in the parade which travels the length of Union Street. In addition to third sector organisations, the parade also features cultural organisations, youth groups, sports clubs and music, dance and entertainment groups.

The first Celebrate Aberdeen parade took place in 2011 and the first Celebrate Aberdeen Awards took place in 2018. The events are organised and run entirely by volunteers.