Aberdeen’s glittering festival of light, Spectra, raked in more than £700,000 to the city’s coffers this year and attracted more than 60,000 visitors, according to new council figures.
The local authority has focused on its events strategy as part of the 25-year City Centre Masterplan which aims to bring more footfall to the beleaguered city centre.
The visually striking festival involves using unusual and artistic lighting in some of Aberdeen’s most iconic sites, such as Marischal College and St Nicholas Kirk.
Figures published by the city council yesterday highlighted that around £717,000 was brought into the city including £403,454 of visitor spend and “additional investment” while £314,453 was spent by Aberdeen residents while attending the winter event.
Spectra saw a significant rise in attendance this year – with visitor numbers reaching 63,286- nearly double the attendance of 2016.
The festival also received prestigious industry recognition through The Drum Scottish Events Awards when it won Festival of the Year against stiff competition.
Councillor Marie Boulton, council culture spokeswoman, indicated there was plenty for fans to look forward to next year.
She said: “Following the success of 2017 and the approval of the 2017-18 culture programme budget, Spectra will return in 2018 with the theme of ‘Play the Night’ – exploring innovation, creativity and the benefits of play to kick off the national Year of Young People.
“It will centre on Aberdeen’s greatest asset – its young people – to create a collaborative programme which will place young people at the heart of development and delivery.
“Aberdeen is a dynamic city which offers a great deal for both residents and visitors. In the last few years, we have made a concerted effort to raise the city’s cultural profile and we look forward to welcoming Spectra back to Aberdeen in February, 2018.”
The council, in partnership with production company Curated Place, deliver the four-night light festival every year in early February, combining leading international artists with Scottish collaborators.
It was delivered over four days at Union Terrace Gardens, the Kirk of St Nicholas Graveyard, Seventeen and Marischal College.
New site additions for 2017 included the Catalyst Conference at the Anatomy Rooms and the St Nicholas Rooftop Gardens, which presented a series of local commissions and a live music programme, delivered in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts’ True North festival.
