Festivals in Orkney
If you are able to take your eyes off the landscape and beautiful nature, or peel yourself away from the neolithic sites, there's a lot of festivals and activities going on.
Throughout the year, the islands celebrate this heritage through a variety of festivals that highlight Orkney's music, art, history, and traditions.
1. Orkney Folk Festival (May)
This is one of Orkney's most beloved events, the Folk Festival brings together musicians from around the world to perform traditional folk music. With various locations and events taking place (albeit primarily in Stromness), you'll get live performances from artists who have come across the world.
There's also family-friendly events and informal jam sessions that can go long into the night.
It's a really welcoming festival full of fun, frolics and folk music - one that is consistently in Orcadian's calendars every year.
Next Folk Festival is due to take place 22 - 25 May 2025
2. St. Magnus International Festival (June)
The St Magnus International Festival is a celebration of the arts. It's a fantastic midsummer event that has a plethora of events. This includes classical music, drama and visual arts.
Some of the events take place in St Magnus Cathedral and those are highlights, hearing amazing music in such a brilliant setting. If you can, try and book in a choral performace in St Magnus Cathedral, it's amazing!
For lovers of the arts, this is a must-see event in a breathtaking setting.
The next festival takes place from 20th June 2025.
Take a look here at the St Magnus International Festival
3. Orkney Science Festival (September)
If you're looking for a festival that combines fun and learning, then this festival is for you.
This festival merges science, innovation, and local culture, showcasing Orkney’s unique contributions to fields like renewable energy and archaeology.
This year for example, there was a giant inflatable sperm whale at the local high school!
The Science festival takes place across many venues across Orkney and there's something for everyone. This includes talks and lectures by scientists and hands-on fun workshops for children. There are even talks with local businesses to help highlight Orkney's role in sustainable energy.
Ideal for those curious about Orkney’s role in science and sustainability, with events for both serious enthusiasts and casual learners.
The 2025 dates are here - and the festival takes place from 4- 10 September 2025.
Visit the Science festival website here.
4. Orkney Storytelling Festival (October)
This is one that isn't as big as the others, but just as fun. It's a celebration of Orkney’s storytelling tradition, this festival brings to life the folklore, history, and legends of the islands.
The festival takes place across various intimate venues, such as community halls and historic sites. I personally like St Mary's Kirk in Burwick, it really adds to the sense of stories being passed down from generation to generation.
There's lot's of storytelling sessions including local tales, Viking sagas, and Celtic myths. There's also story walks through Orkney’s dramatic landscapes.
So if you want to immerse yourself in the rich oral tradition of the islands and experience Orkney’s landscape through stories passed down through generations, then this is the festival for you.
2025's dates haven't been confirmed yet, but bookmark the website for later.
5. Ba' Games (Christmas and New Year)
I think the less I explain about this one, the better. One of Orkney’s most unique and oldest traditions, the Ba' is essentially a street football game played in Kirkwall during the festive season.
The streets of Kirkwall become the playing field as two teams, the Uppies and Doonies, battle it out.
If you're up for something different during the festive period, then witness an ancient, adrenaline-filled tradition that is truly unique to Orkney.
6. Festival of the Horse and Boys' Ploughing Match (March)
This event, held in South Ronaldsay, celebrates the farming heritage of Orkney with a mixture of tradition and pageantry.
In it, young boys dress as traditional ploughmen (which is a sight to see). They then move to the Sands O' Wright (a beautiful Orkney beach) and compete in a mock ploughing contest using traditional miniature ploughs.
The imagery for the event is quite stark is often one of the main images you'll see when describing Orkney.
7. Orkney Blues Festival (April 2025)
Taking place in April for the first time next year, The Orkney Blues Festival is renowned for talent, warmth and hospitality.
This is the UK's most northerly blues festival and it's worth the trip up.
This year, the festival held events in Stromness and Burray - and included a special event by Kyla Brox. Her rendition of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen brought the hall to tearful silence.
Discover more about the festival here
8. Orkney Nature Festival (May)
Definitely one for those nature lovers, this fantastic event takes place every May and really helps to highlight all that is good with Orkney nature.
There's boat trips, guided walks and loads of fascinating lectures.
There is even events called 'Guides in a Hide' where you can visit one of the many RSPB bird hides in Orkney and watch the wildlife whilst a RSPB guide points out and helps identify them with you. If anything, this is almost a meditative event as you relax with nothing more than wind and bird noises as background music.
The 2025 festival is pencilled in for 12th - 18th May.
Take a look at the festival here.
So there you have it, festivals in Orkney that really help to demonstrate the strong cultural landscape of Orkney. What will you visit?