Could Do List – Shetland in November 2026

November may be one of Shetland’s coldest months, with not a fire festival in sight to warm you up, but there’s much to recommend about the islands at this time of year. It’s a time when photographers will find the landscape at its most dramatic, and at night the sky can be lit up by the Mirrie Dancers. There are also many great events to attend.

Celebrating Shetland’s wonderful winter produce. Watch local chefs create delicious warming dishes using Shetland ingredients and buy local products direct from producers. Head along to the Whiteness and Weisdale Hall for an evening of delicious food and entertainment on Tuesday 3rd November and Carnegie Hall on Wednesday 4th November. You can book tickets here.

The Tailor of Inverness is a play written & performed by Matthew Zajac with Jonny Hardie / Gavin Marwick on violin will be performed on Thursday the 5^th of November 2026, 7.30PM – 9.00PM at Mareel. Matthew Zajac’s stunning show about his Polish-Ukrainian father has entranced over 40,000 people, playing in a huge variety of venues from prestigious theatres in cities which include New York, Adelaide, Glasgow, Kyiv, London, Malmo and Berlin, to tiny village halls. This is a rare chance to see this unforgettable and moving story of displacement and survival in war-torn Europe, a powerful allegory for all victims of war. Book tickets here.

There’s a fantastic opportunity to do some Christmas shopping whilst supporting local crafters and small businesses in Shetland at the Shetland Arts & Crafts Associations annual Christmas Craft Fair. Held at the Clickimin Leisure Centre in Lerwick from 6-8th of November 2026. Friday 6th: 6:30PM-9PM / Saturday 7th: 10am-6pm / Sunday 8th: 11am-4pm

Shetland Arts and Crafts producers have been inspired by Shetland’s dramatic scenery, heritage and culture; and we’d recommend taking a Santa sack for all the fabulous items you’ll see!

Head to the Lerwick British Legion on November 13th, 2026, for a fantastic night of music with the Lomond Ceilidh Band along with Andrew and Johnny Polson from the Harper Country Band, Caithness. See more information and book tickets here.

Catch live local country and western acts at the Mareel Auditorium in Lerwick running evenings on November 13th and 14th, with an afternoon show on November 15th, 2026. You can get tickets here.

At the Vidlin Hall Lounge Bar there are monthly Traditional music sessions. Bring your instrument and join in or just head along to hear some fantastic music.  Friday November 27th, 2026 – 7pm till late.

Check out local youth talent at the Mareel Cafe Bar on November 29th, 2026. 2.00PM – 3.30PM Pop in on the last Sunday of every month for the Young Musicians Sessions in the relaxed setting of Mareel’s Café Bar. These afternoons are a fantastic opportunity to experience the next generation of local musical talent!

Wrap up and head to community bonfire and fireworks displays around the county – usually held on or around the 5th of November. Keep an eye on local community Facebook pages for more information.

Finally, if you’re looking for a great walk in Shetland in November 2026, why not visit the Broch of Dalsetter? This is an almost entirely demolished broch near Boddam, Dunrossness, in the South Mainland of Shetland. It’s a 500m walk from the roadside and the broch stands just 50m from a cliff.

The remarkable thing about the Broch of Dalsetter is the surrounding deep and wide ditch and the two well-preserved concentric ramparts. Traces of the outbuildings can still be seen. It’s easy to imagine what an impressive building this was in the Iron Age!

We hope you have a brilliant time in Shetland during November!

By Victoria Dixon Orkney and Shetland fanatic, likes to capture life through a lens, loves creating, eclectic taste in music, enjoys being a Mum; would secretly love to be a star of the West End!

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