Whenever your visit to Orkney falls in the calendar, you can rest assured there will always be something happening. Even when major live events were cancelled recently, our creative community rallied to ensure online versions filled the gap.
This year, live events are returning with a bang, and it is hoped our calendar of events will be bustling again, just as it has been for decades.
It has been said that Orkney may hold more festivals per head of population than anywhere else. From music festivals to science, nature and craft — there really is an event for everyone, and it doesn’t all happen on the Mainland. The isles are brimming with events, particularly in the summer, where you can check out the Sanday Soulka or the Hoy Hoolie, for example.
The Orkney Folk Festival, St Magnus International Festival, Orkney Rock Festival and Orkney Blues Festival are definitely worth checking out, and the Orkney International Science Festival is the oldest festival of its kind anywhere outside Edinburgh.
Most of our events are family friendly, but if you want an all-round family experience, a trip to Kirkwall’s Wellpark Garden Centre, café and soft play facility will make sure everyone is thoroughly entertained!
Most of these events have a website or social media page, where you can check ahead to keep up with the latest news. Check out our diary of events listings below, for links to keep you right on what’s happening when.
Scottish Community Drama Association’s
(Orkney District) One-Act Play Festival
www.scda.org.uk
Orkney Ceilidh Weekend
www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/otda
Orkney Nature Festival
www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/orkneynaturefestival
Orkney Folk Festival
www.orkneyfolkfestival.com
St Magnus Festival
www.stmagnusfestival.com
Ness of Brodgar Excavations
www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk
Stromness Shopping Week
www.stromnessshoppingweek.com
Orkney Vintage Rally
www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/orkneyvintageclub
East Mainland Agricultural Show
Facebook: East Mainland Agricultural Society
Sanday Agricultural Show
Facebook: Sanday Agricultural Association
Shapinsay Agricultural Show
Facebook: Shapinsay Agricultural Association
South Ronaldsay & Burray Agricultural Show
Facebook: South Ronaldsay & Burray Agricultural Society
West Mainland Agricultural Show
Facebook: Orkney West Mainland Agricultural Society
Orkney Agricultural Show
www.orkneycountyshow.co.uk
Riding of the Marches
Facebook: Riding of The Marches Orkney
Festival of the Horse Boys’ Ploughing Match
Facebook: South Ronaldsay Boys Ploughing Match
Orkney Motocross Beach Race
Facebook: OrkneyMX
Orkney Rock Festival
www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/orkneylivewire
Orkney International Science Festival
www.oisf.org
Orkney Blues Festival
www.orkneyblues.co.uk
Taste of Orkney Festival
www.orkney.com/life/industry/taste
Orkney Story Telling Festival
www.orkneystorytellingfestival.co.uk
The Ba’
Facebook: The Ba
The Yule Log
Facebook: StromnessOrkney