There was a carnival atmosphere in the Granite City today as hundreds of people turned out to toast those who make a difference in the city.
Dance troupes, choirs, drummers and musicians were out in force for the inaugural Celebrate Aberdeen.
Organisers said they wanted to showcase the fantastic local talent the north-east has.
The event will continue tomorrow, starting at 11am, at various locations throughout the city-centre.
Morven Mackenzie, who set up event, said: “We’re extremely excited that Celebrate Aberdeen is now upon us and look forward to treating the people of the city to an action-packed weekend.
“We would just urge the people of Aberdeen and visitors to this great city to show their support by coming along and joining in the fun.”
A number of temporary traffic restrictions will be in place until 10pm tomorrow to accommodate both Aberdeen’s international street market and Celebrate Aberdeen.
Union Terrace and Diamond Place will be closed and there will be no parking on Union Terrace or the slip road between Rosemount Viaduct and Union Terrace.
Meanwhile, the right-turn ban for buses from Skene Street in to Rosemount Viaduct will be suspended.
To provide parking for market vehicles, the normal pay-and-display parking restrictions and operations will be suspended on both sides of the Beach Boulevard, between its junctions with Wales Street (north side) and Hanover Street to opposite the east junction of Wales Street (south side), until 9pm.
This is the first time the festival has been held – it has been organised following the success of the previous Celebrate Aberdeen parades, which have seen more than 3,500 people take to Union Street for the last three years.
This year the two-day festivals replaces the parade.
