Fireworks Spectacular to light up Aberdeen’s sky

03 November 2016

Thousands of people are expected to descend on Aberdeen beach on Saturday evening for this year’s Fireworks Spectacular.

The annual free event, which is organised by Aberdeen City Council and is part of the Winter Festival, will include fire jugglers and a charity firewalk from 7pm and a 20-minute fireworks display set to Disney-themed music from 8pm.

Fireworx Scotland has created new designs in fireworks and special effects to create the show.

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen George Adam said: “The annual fireworks display is one of the most popular dates on the Aberdeen calendar, bringing our communities together and attracting visitors to what is always a spectacular event.

“A Disney theme has been chosen for this year’s music and that will add to what is always a tremendous family atmosphere.

“This year November 5 falls on a Saturday, so we have been able to schedule an 8pm start - slightly later than we have done previously on weekdays. We hope all ages will enjoy the colourful free display which kicks off the start of Aberdeen’s Winter Festival, with a packed programme in the weeks and months ahead.

“As the event attracts over 12,000 people, we highly recommend using the park and ride services which will be in operation on the night.”

There are Park and Ride buses available from the Bridge Don, Kingswells and Souter Head Road at Aberdeen Altens Hotel (formerly Altens Thistle Hotel).

The best vantage points for the display are around the Beach Boulevard, Queens Links and Esplanade areas. Disabled parking is available on Links Road with access via Urquhart Road on a first-come, first-served basis.

People are advised they should not bring alcohol and they should also not to bring fireworks to the event. Sparklers can be brought to the event if used responsibly by not giving them to under-fives, ensuring younger children are supervised and not holding a child and a sparkler at the same time.

There will be clearly marked sparkler bins for safe disposal. No other rubbish should be disposed of in these bins.

More than 12,000 people attend the event every year so roads are closed to ensure everyone can enter, watch and leave the Queens Links area safely. There are no dedicated parking spaces, so people are advised to walk or get buses to the event as nearby roads are likely to be extremely busy.

Most roads are to close at 6pm and re-open at 9.30pm on Saturday. Full road closures and restrictions are as follows:

Road closures for the event include:

From 2.30pm to 10.30pm on Saturday 5 November

Greyhope Road – full length

From 6pm to 9.30pm on Saturday 5 November

Beach Boulevard – full length Links Road from its junction at Beach Retail Park (ASDA) to the roundabout at the Beach Ballroom Esplanade from a point just north of Accommodation Road southwards to the roundabout at Burger King Accommodation Road – full length Cotton Street – full length Constitution Street – full length Urquhart Road from its junction at Park Road to its junction at Links Road Miller Street from its junction at Castle Terrace to its junction at Garvock Wynd.

From 9.30pm to 11.30pm on Saturday 5 November

Beach Boulevard, between its junctions with its south junction to Links Road and its north junction to Links Road.

From 6.00pm to 9.30pm on Saturday 5 November

No right turn from the entry road at Sunset Boulevard on to Links Road No right turn from Queens Links Leisure Park car park on to Links Road No left turn from Beach Retail Park car park on to Links Road No left turn from Wales Street on to Beach Boulevard No right turn from Hanover Street on to Beach Boulevard Exit from Doubletree by Hilton Hotel is by right turn on to Links Road and left turn on to Constitution Street

Waiting Restrictions

From 6pm on Friday 4 November to 9.30pm on Saturday 5 November

Links Road from its junction at Beach Esplanade to its junction at Urquhart Road (Only Blue Badge holders will be accommodated for disabled parking) Beach Boulevard – full length Cotton Street – full length Urquhart Road from its junction at Links Road to its junction at Park Road Esplanade, both sides, from Beach Boulevard to Accommodation Road South side of Greyhope Road, between its junctions with St. Fittick’s Road and Sinclair Road

Width Restrictions

From 9am to 11.30pm on Saturday 5 November

To allow access for delivery of fireworks and the Park and Ride bus service from Bridge of Don.

Beach Esplanade from its junction with King Street/Ellon Road to its Junction with Links Road (Roundabout)

Mobile Traffic Management will be in place to prevent traffic entering the roundabout at Commerce Street and the Boulevard Junction from end of display until pedestrians clear.

There will also be a number of police officers on duty to assist with traffic/pedestrian issues for access and egress at the event.

Park and Ride Services

Fares: Adult £1.50 return

Child £1.00 flat return

Bridge of Don Park and Ride – operated by First Bus

Kingswells Park and Ride – operated by Stagecoach

Souter Head Road – operated by First Bus

Timetable: Outbound buses should depart the Park & Rides sites towards Beach Esplanade at the following times:

Bridge of Don Outbound Timetable

Bridge of Don P&R

18:10

18:25

18:40

18:55

19:10

Beach Leisure Centre, Esplanade

18:25

18:40

18:55

19:10

19:30

Kingswells Outbound Timetable

Kingswells P&R

18:10

18:30

18:50

Beach Boulevard

19:05

19:25

19:45

Souter Head Road Outbound Timetable

Thistle Hotel, Souter Head Road

18:10

18:30

18:50

Beach Boulevard

18:45

19:05

19:30

Bridge of Don Return Timetable

Beach Leisure Centre, Esplanade

20:30

20:45

Bridge of Don P&R

20:50

21:05

Kingswells Return Timetable

Cotton Street

20:30

20:45

Kingswells P&R

21:10

21:25

Souter Head Road Return Timetable

Cotton Street

20:30

20:45

Thistle Hotel, Souter Head Road

21:05

21:20

For more information on the Aberdeen’s Winter Festival visit: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/winterfestival