We are delighted to confirm that VSA will be part of the 2026 Celebrate Aberdeen Parade on Saturday August 29th.

Celebrate Aberdeen is a fantastic, heart-warming gathering of the city's many third sector groups and organisations coming together to celebrate the amazing work we do for our community.

Would YOU like to join the VSA section of the parade and proudly march through Aberdeen City Centre to represent us? We would love as many people as possible to join in the fun!

To represent VSA at Celebrate Aberdeen, simply contact us at fundraising@vsa.org.uk with an estimated number of people in your group and preferred t-shirt sizes if required.

More details on exact timings etc will be posted on this page very soon!

Before the event...

Q. What should I wear to the parade?

A. We are going for a purple theme this year, this can be your VSA T-shirt or you can wear whatever you like. The brighter the better and fancy dress is encouraged. Of course, we cannot guarantee good weather so please take sensible precautions of your own. If you require some T-shirts please email us with preferred sizes.

Q. I require a Shopmobility scooter - how do I book one?

A. If you require a Shopmobility scooter to take part in the parade there are a number of scooters available on a first come, first served basis. Please call 01224 254338 to book a scooter which will be delivered to Harlaw Academy for your arrival.

Q. Will there be parking available at the Albyn Place, Harlaw Academy or Broad Street?

A. No, none. Please arrange for your participants to be dropped off and picked up outside of the immediate vicinity of the parade staging area (Albyn Place) and termination area (Broad Street), giving priority to disabled participants within the nearest access streets.

Q. When will the parade end?

A. It is not easy to predict this accurately. The first paraders will set off at 11.05am and we have permission for the road closures until 1.00pm. However, experience suggests the parade will end around 12.30pm.

Q. Will there be photography/filming on the day?

A. Yes. It is your responsibility to ensure that your group is aware of this and to take any necessary steps. It will not be possible for Celebrate Aberdeen to arrange for specific groups not to be photographed or filmed.

On the day...

Q. Where will the First Aid point be?

A. There will be first aiders located throughout and at the rear of the parade.

Q. Where will the Lost Persons point be?

A. If anyone is lost please see one of our volunteers, identifiable by their pink, high-vis Celebrate Aberdeen vests.

Q. Will our group be able to use the toilets at Harlaw Academy?

A. Yes between 9.00am and 11.00am.

Q. If we have had confirmation that a mobility aid or assistance has been arranged for us, where will this be made available?

A. At Harlaw Academy.

Q. At which location must my whole group be gathered?

A. Beside the appropriate large letter on Albyn Place.

Q. How long will we have to wait before we start parading?

A. It is impossible to predict this accurately. The first paraders will set off at 11.05am approx. and we have permission for the road closures until 1.00pm. Please be prepared for a substantial wait.

Q. How will the parade start?

A. The parade will start with the Celebrate Aberdeen team sending off a team of Mel’s Union Street Mile runners. You will then be signalled as to when to start moving forward down Albyn Place and onto Union Street.

Q. What will happen at the end of the parade?

A. In order to reopen the roads and for safety’s sake it is important that paraders disperse from the street and pavements around the Broad Street area as soon as possible.

What if ...?

Q. What happens if the weather is bad?

A. The Celebrate Aberdeen parade will go ahead, as planned. If in doubt about the weather please check our social media channels for any updates or advice.

Q. What should we do if there is an emergency within our group? And what should we do if there is an emergency affecting the parade as a whole?

A. We would ask you to nominate at least 2 Group Stewards for this eventuality. You should make sure they can assist your group in an emergency - by taking the individuals out of the parade or the group as a whole, with the support of parade stewards, and/or members of the police and emergency services.