January to March
April to June
Orkney Event Dates 2012
Where else would you find a packed calendar of events that are as diverse as Orkney’s? From the summer’s agriculture shows to the famous mass yule tide football game ‘The Ba’, with plenty of classical, jazz, folk and traditional music mixed in between, Orkney has every possible taste covered.
Highlights include:
St Magnus Festival
This internationally acclaimed midsummer celebration of the arts focuses primarily on music, but also includes poetry readings, talks, community productions and exhibitions.
The Boys' Ploughing Match
South Ronaldsay is the setting for a spectacular show, where children get dressed up in elaborate costumes that replicate Clydesdale horse decoration.
The Ba
The famous mass football game where the two teams – the ‘Uppies’ and the ‘Doonies’ – rage through the streets of Kirkwall until the triumphant team reaches its goal.
The Ba
2nd January 2012
The famous mass football game where the two teams – the ‘Uppies’ and the ‘Doonies’ – rage through the streets of Kirkwall until the triumphant team reaches its goal.
Orkney Ceilidh Weekend
13th – 15th April 2012
A weekend of dance workshops and ceilidhs are held over the three days in and around Kirkwall.
Orkney Jazz Festival
13th – 15th April 2012
Come and listen to a weekend of jazz music by visiting jazz bands, Diplomats of Jazz and Bill Salmonds Louisiana Rag Time Band. Special weekend packages (3 nights) offered for dinner, bed and breakfast. Bus transfer from Edinburgh available. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Orkney Folk Festival
31st May - 3rd June 2012
This year is the BIG 30 for the Orkney Folk Festival. It has a reputation for being one of the friendliest and most unforgettable visitor experiences in the folk festival calendar. Based in its spiritual home of Stromness, there are events in Kirkwall, other mainland parishes and outer islands.
www.orkneyfolkfestival.com
Olympic Torch Relay
10th June 2012
Orkney will be taking part in the London 2012 Olympics Torch Relay on Sunday 10 June 2012. A number of people will participate in the relay and there will also be a range of events and entertainment to celebrate the visit of the torch and London 2012 Olympics. Further details will be available early in 2012.
St Magnus Festival
22nd – 27th June 2012
As one of the leading festivals in the UK and in its 36th year, the prestigious St Magnus International Festival brings international orchestras, recitalists, theatre, dance and literature to the Orkney Islands for six days around midsummer and is renowned for its unique blend of world-class performance and community participation.
www.stmagnusfestival.com
Stromness Shopping Week
15th – 21st July 2012
The 64th annual Stromness Shopping Week offers a fun filled week of entertainment and activities for all, culminating in an impressive fireworks display and open air dance on Saturday 21st. Programme of events available locally from mid June.
www.stromnessshoppingweek.co.uk
Orkney Agricultural Shows
4th – 11th August 2012
The best of the islands’ livestock, local produce and crafts are on show for a week of events that are the highlight of the agricultural year. The grand finale is the County Show held on the second Saturday in August.
Orkney Vintage Rally
12th August 2012
A rally to display vintage and classic cars, tractors, motorbikes, farm implements, commercial vehicles and stationary engines.
South Ronaldsay Boys Ploughing Match
18th August 2012
An old traditional event where girls dress as horses and are judged for decoration and harness. Boys plough in the sand with miniature ploughs for prizes. Children have to live in South Ronaldsay or have parents or grandparents that have taken part in the ploughing match.
Orkney International Science Festival
6th-12th September 2012
It is a rare combination of science, culture, music, hands-on experiments and good-humoured lively discussion that attracts word-class speakers back to this event – year after year.
Orkney Blues Weekend
21st – 23rd September 2012
This annual event takes place primarily in Stromness and features the cream of blues artists from Britain as well as many exciting local bands and performers.
The Ba
25th December 2012
The Ba' is played on Christmas Day Broad Street with the boys game beginning at 10.30am and the men’s at 1pm. Street rugby - two teams – the ‘Uppies’ and the ‘Doonies’ – must bring the Ba' to their respective goals after a long fight through the streets of Kirkwall!
These are just a flavour of the many events taking place all year round in Orkney. Whether it's impromptu music sessions in pubs, pipe band parades through the streets, summer regattas or music festivals, you will be sure to find an occasion to enrich your time in the islands.
Booking directly with NorthLink Ferries on www.northlinkferries.co.uk is cheaper than booking 
with another website and we never charge for any amendments made to your booking!
