Spectra Aberdeen 2026: Every road closure and restriction in place for Scotland's Festival of Light
Here are the road closures and restrictions in place across Aberdeen city centre for Spectra 2026.
With Spectra returning to Aberdeen this week, residents are being advised of road closures across the city centre.
Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the 2026 edition of Scotland’s Festival of Light. While visitors are encouraged to make use of public transport where possible, there will still be some who need to travel into the city by car.
For those needing to get around Aberdeen while Spectra is on, here’s what you need to know about road closures and parking.
Here are all the road closures in place for Spectra Aberdeen 2026
With art installations popping up around Aberdeen city centre, here are the road closures and parking restrictions visitors should be aware of.
From 3pm to 11pm from Thursday, February 5 until Sunday, February 8, the following roads will be closed to all vehicles - including bicycles.
- Gallowgate from Broad Street to Littlejohn Street
- Upperkirkgate from Gallowgate to Schoolhill
- Schoolhill, entire length (including inset road)
- Back Wynd from Schoolhill to Union Street
- Gaelic Lane from Back Wynd to Belmont Street
- Belmont Street from Union Street to Schoolhill
- Harriet Street from Schoolhill to Loch Street
- Union Terrace, from Union Street to Rosemount Viaduct
- Diamond Place from Diamond Street to Union Terrace
- Rosemount Viaduct, from Schoolhill to Skene Street
- Broad Street, from Union Street to Queen Street
- Blackfriars Street & St Andrews Street corridor,
- From Rosemount Viaduct to Crooked Lane
- Queen Street, Whole length
- Netherkirkgate from Broad Street to St. Catherine’s Wynd
For that same period, the following road restrictions will be suspended:
- One-way restrictions on St Catherine’s Wynd to allow two way traffic
- Right turn restrictions from Union Street on to Crown Street and from Skene Street onto Rosemount Viaduct.
Parking restrictions
As for parking, from 11pm on Wednesday, February 4 until 11.59pm on Sunday, February 8, parking on both sides of the following roads will be restricted, with the exception of loading and/or unloading vehicles between 7am and 3pm.
- Upperkirkgate from Gallowgate to Schoolhill
- Schoolhill, entire length (including inset road)
- Back Wynd from Schoolhill to Union Street
- Little Belmont Street from Back Wynd to Belmont Street
- Gaelic Lane from Back Wynd to Belmont Street
- Union Terrace, entire length
- St Catherine’s Wynd from Netherkirkgate to Union Street
- Littlejohn Street, except blue badge holders
- Queen Street, except blue badge holders
- Blackfriars Street, except blue badge holders
The no-waiting restrictions will be marked by cones, with any illegally parked vehicles removed at the owner’s expense.
No dedicated parking for Spectra
There is no dedicated parking just for the festival, with the exception of Queen Street, Littlejohn Street and Blackfriars Street which will be open on a first come, first served basis for Blue Badge holders only.
If you are looking for somewhere to park during the event, it is worth checking the council website. as most car parks will be operating as normal throughout the festival. Some, such as the Trinity Centre car park, will even offer extended opening hours across Spectra 2026. ]
You can also find out more about getting to Spectra on the festival’s website.
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