Aberdeen Jazz Festival

Spread across eleven days in March, this is a festival built around Aberdeen's existing venues rather than a single field or arena. Concerts move between the Lemon Tree, larger halls and smaller community spaces, so an evening can mean a seated theatre show or a late set in a busier bar room. The programming reaches well beyond straight-ahead jazz, taking in blues, soul, funk, Latin rhythms, hip-hop and more experimental work, with space for both established names and emerging Scottish players. Many events are all-ages, and there is a dedicated strand of family and children's programming alongside the evening concerts. Because performances are ticketed individually, attendees tend to plan around particular acts rather than committing to a full weekend. It suits people who like seeing music up close in proper rooms and enjoy building their own schedule across a longer run.