Plan your perfect Orcadian festival trip with Orkney Festivals and Events: Your Ultimate Guide to What’s On. This article presents a clear, interactive calendar of events across fertile moor landscapes and coastal location options, from april through autumn, with extra tips, practical details on venues, tickets, accessibility, and how the people behind each event shape the experience.
What you’ll find: concerts, theatre, markets, and heritage talks – thing you can tailor to your plan. Use the map, drop pins on shows you like, and read brief notes in this article for quick comparisons. We offer a good mix of free experiences and affordable tickets so you can pace your day without overspending.
Start with Kirkwall as the main hub and Stromness for intimate gigs by the quay. Use the location filter to see distances and travel times, and let the journey unfold at a comfortable pace; if you’re dating someone special, we’ve included relaxed routes with coffee stops and sunset bays.
The heritage section draws on local voices–tait notes and interviews with festival organizers–to give you a sense of place, from standing stones to erected stages, showing how heritage and contemporary stages keep the scene still vibrant and relevant.
Plan your week with extra events and a good sense of timing. Consider a two-day plan: day one on a fertile moor walk followed by an evening concert; day two in a coastal town with markets and storytelling. The article offers scheduling tips and sample plans you can adapt to your interests.
Ready to start? Create your personalised journey with the map, save locations, and share your itinerary with friends or dating partners; Orkney Festivals and Events helps you choose the best mix of heritage, music, and family-friendly fun.
20 Scapa Bay Highlights: Date-by-Date Calendar
May 3 – Start at ronaldsay manor with ancient stones and pillars framing a displayed pottery exhibit by local artists; visitors receive a map for the calendar's 20 highlights.
May 5 – Rain shifts activity indoors at key locations along the south coast; either route keeps you immersed as photos and artifacts are displayed and explained.
May 7 – Traditional music and spoken culture performances take place at a spot by the harbor, inviting visitors to feel the rhythm of island life.
May 9 – An ancient ruins walk near the manor reveals stones and pillars and shares the story of early settlers; guides provide context for visitors.
May 11 – A pottery workshop at the ronaldsay village hub shows shaping techniques; potters display their wares and explain glazes based on local clay.
May 14 – A market of coast-based crafts highlights locations across the south, with wares from wood, textile, and ceramic makers.
May 16 – A short family session invites kids to try a clay wheel; lets younger visitors make a keepsake while adults observe.
May 18 – An evening stones-and-sundown walk leads to a special display on the beach, with art carved on ancient stones and small pillars.
May 21 – Scale ships models and seafaring stories fill the harbor display; artists discuss culture and craft with visitors.
May 23 – A south-end garden spots host herb and seed displays; based tours explain how the coast shapes flavor and design.
May 26 – Gaelic songs and dance performances bring traditional culture to the quay; a short session invites attendees to join in.
May 28 – Museums day at Ronaldsay manor features a focus on island pottery and local artifacts; judges share what makes pieces collectible, based on texture and form.
May 30 – Dawn painting on the beach offers a chance to capture color; participants share small sketches and notes for the calendar audience.
June 2 – A talk on ancient geology connects rocks, stones, and sea history, enriching the day with context.
June 4 – A guided ride and demo with horse handlers along the coast, pairing equestrian skill with the sea air.
June 7 – A colorful market highlights pottery, textiles, and woodwork across several locations.
June 9 – Ronaldsay artists host a courtyard display; visitors gather for short talks and live demos.
June 11 – A map-based trail leads to spots with sea views and ancient ruins, with signage explaining the craft history.
June 14 – The finale music and dance day includes a short talk about Scapa Bay culture and community, inviting all to participate.
June 16 – Closing notes: a special keepsake calendar insert, made by local artists, helps visitors recall the 20 highlights and the felt connection to the bay.