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.
Visitors are encouraged to try out a range of dance styles at the Orkney Traditional Dance Association’s ceilidh weekend in Kirkwall. Fringe events take place throughout Orkney in the lead up to the event.
Visiting and local performers get together for a weekend of mainly traditional jazz music based at the Stromness Hotel. The Festival incorporates the annual Jazz Festival Service of Praise at St Magnus Church in Birsay.
Based in Stromness, the annual folk event is celebrated all over the islands with performances from local and visiting artistes.
This internationally acclaimed midsummer celebration of the arts focuses primarily on music, but also includes poetry readings, talks, community productions and exhibitions.
The annual gala in Stromness is celebrating its 60th anniversary in style with special celebrations during a week that focuses on family fun and includes sideshows, sports, competitions and music. The finale of the week is a fancy dress parade followed by a dance and firework display.
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.
South Ronaldsay is the setting for a spectacular show, where children get dressed up in elaborate costumes that replicate Clydesdale horse decoration. This traditional event dates back to the 19th century and ends with a ploughing competition.
The Stromness Hotel is the main venue for the annual sampling of - not only Orkney’s fine ales - but also a range of cask conditioned ales and other guest beers, accompanied by some lively music sessions.
It is the rare combination of science, culture, music, hands-on experiments and goodhumoured lively discussion that attracts world-class speakers back to this event - year after year.
Enthusiasts will gather in and around the Ferry Inn in Stromness to hear visiting and local musicians perform a weekend of blues.
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.
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.
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