Orkney Folk Festival is a firmly established date in Scotland’s folk festival calendar and has drawn visitors back many times since it started in 1982.  A heady mix of international and UK artists and performances from the fine local talent play an important part in the musical and cultural life of Orkney.

Held over four days at the end of May, the festival offers folk music in its broadest sense to please all tastes from acoustic singing to traditional tunes, concerts featuring contemporary bands to dance gigs.  Ceilidhs in parish halls and community centres offer a traditional taste of island life with a concert, supper and a ceilidh dance.  The festival is centred on Stromness where opening and farewell concerts are held and venues for other sit-down gigs include the town hall, academy and Stromness Hotel.  Events are also held in the Pier Arts Centre.  The town’s pubs host jam sessions which often spill out onto the street if the weather is fine.  You can walk down the town’s long street and often hear music from windows and gardens too.  There is an annual open stage event which has often spawned successful music careers and workshops in playing and song writing.  Artists also travel to perform in the isles, parishes and Kirkwall.  Another regular event at the festival is the visitors versus locals comedy football match.

Orkney has a vibrant folk scene year round and is home to many talented musicians of all ages.