Art and Culture
Aberdeen Film Festival: 2-10 October, various venues and times
The Aberdeen Film Festival takes advantage of the city's cultural connections to bring in films and filmmakers from across the globe. Expect feature films, shorts and docs, plus workshops, Q&As and a web series night.
Kaitlyn Dunsmore and Shaun Stables: Bon Accord: 22-31 October, Seventeen
Installation exploring the city's ambience.
Vivian Ross-Smith: Erosions: Through 6 October, Newave Gallery
Artist from Shetland
Music, Comedy and Dance
DanceLive: 9-20 October, Various locations and times
Annual festival celebrating – and exclusively devoted to – contemporary dance. The programme draws high-quality companies to the north-east of Scotland, emphasising new choreography and opportunities for participation.
In Cahoots: Showcase Events: 23-24 October, Arts Centre & Theatre Aberdeen, Times vary
Showcase for new Scottish music.
Scottish Ballet: Elsa Canasta, Motion of Displacement and Maze: 9-10 October, His Majesty's Theatre, 7:30pm
Triple-bill featuring Javier de Frutos’ Elsa Canasta set to Cole Porter, the world premiere of Bryan Arias’ Motion of Displacement, set to music by Bach and John Adams and Maze, a new piece of work created by contemporary dancer Sophie Laplane.
Kevin Bridges: A Whole Different Story: 7-12 October, Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, 8pm
The biggest name in Scottish stand-up continues his reign with another show packed with astute observations and deathly funny gags.
Scottish Opera: Carmen: 22 and 24 October, His Majesty's Theatre, 7:30pm
Bizet's Carmen has everything you want from an opera: tunes, drama, sex, violence and hordes of sizzling gypsies.
Lectures, Sports and Local Festivals
Alex Ferguson: Leading: 1 October, Music Hall, 7:30pm
Sir Alex Ferguson (that fella who managed that football team for ages) talks about leadership skills and how what he learned during his career can be applied beyond the football pitch.
Aberdeen Parkrun: Saturdays, Beach Esplanade, 9:30am
An informal weekly 5k run along the Beach Esplanade. Everyone is welcome, no matter how fast or slow (you're welcome to walk the route, bring your dog or push a buggy), so you can use it as a one-off fitness test, a chance to get some fresh air or come every week to try to beat your personal best time.