Entertainment

Our bustling events calendar was impacted significantly by the pandemic, but ordinarily, 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.

It has been said that Orkney may hold more festivals per head of population than anywhere else. From music festivals to wine, 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.