33 upcoming events in Orkney Islands · page 1 of 2
October 2026
Hadestown: The Musical (screening), Pickaquoy Centre
A big-screen showing of the award-winning folk-jazz musical retelling the Orpheus myth, at Kirkwall's Pickaquoy Centre cinema.
Declan Nerney, Orkney Theatre, Kirkwall
Irish country music favourite Declan Nerney brings his show to Kirkwall's Orkney Theatre for an evening of country and dance-hall tunes.
The Metropolitan Opera: Macbeth (screening), Pickaquoy Centre
New York's Metropolitan Opera production of Verdi's Shakespeare-based Macbeth, screened in Kirkwall so island audiences can enjoy world-class opera.
Betty's Reading Room Storytelling Event
A much-loved storytelling event at Betty's Reading Room going ahead as usual even though the full Orkney Storytelling Festival is not running in 2026 due to funding cuts.
Fallen Angels by Noel Coward (screening), Pickaquoy Centre
A screened stage production of Noel Coward's fizzing comedy about two friends whose shared romantic past comes back to haunt them, shown at Kirkwall's leisure and cinema centre.
Orkney Storytelling Festival at Betty's Reading Room
A single afternoon of traditional Orcadian storytelling at Betty's Reading Room, a scaled-down version of the usual multi-day festival.
Orkney Storytelling Festival event at Betty's Reading Room
A single storytelling event at Betty's Reading Room; free but limited tickets.
Orkney Farmers' Market (October)
Monthly farmers' market in the Masonic Hall, Castle Street, Kirkwall, selling local food, drink and crafts direct from producers.
November 2026
The Royal Ballet: Manon (screening), Pickaquoy Centre
The Royal Ballet's tragic signature work, Kenneth MacMillan's Manon, shown on the big screen in Kirkwall for ballet lovers in Orkney.
ØY Festival of Islands: Space Station ØY
Three-day festival of live performance on Papa Westray.
NT Live: Golden Boy (screening), Pickaquoy Centre
National Theatre Live screening of Clifford Odets' boxing drama Golden Boy, led by Josh O'Connor, brought to Orkney's main cinema.
Creative Orkney & Taste of Orkney Christmas Fayre
Festive fayre at Kirkwall Grammar School showcasing local artisans, food and drink producers.
Giant: The Play (screening), Pickaquoy Centre
Big-screen showing of the acclaimed stage play starring John Lithgow as Roald Dahl, screened in Kirkwall for theatre fans across the islands.
Orkney Farmers' Market (Kirkwall)
Monthly farmers' market at the Masonic Hall, Castle Street, Kirkwall.
Orkney Farmers' Market (November)
Monthly farmers' market in the Masonic Hall, Castle Street, Kirkwall, selling local food, drink and crafts direct from producers.
Tree Lighting Ceremony at St Magnus Cathedral
Community Christmas tree lighting ceremony held at St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.
December 2026
A Christmas Miracle (community opera)
Community opera performance at St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.
Andre Rieu's 2026 Christmas Concert (screening), Pickaquoy Centre
The Dutch violinist's festive concert film, Let It Snow, brings waltzes, carols and Christmas spectacle to the Pickaquoy Centre screen in Kirkwall.
Orkney Farmers' Market (December)
December's Orkney Farmers' Market is held on the second Saturday of the month (instead of the last), in the Masonic Hall, Castle Street, Kirkwall.
Orkney Farmers' Market (Kirkwall, December)
December edition of the monthly farmers' market in Kirkwall.
Christmas Day Ba' Game
Kirkwall's chaotic street ball game between the Uppies and Doonies, thrown up at the Mercat Cross by St Magnus Cathedral on Broad Street.
Kirkwall Ba' Game
The traditional Orkney street football game played through the streets of Kirkwall every Christmas Day between the Uppies and the Doonies.
Kirkwall Ba' Game (Christmas Day)
Traditional mass street ball game between the Uppies and Doonies through the streets of Kirkwall.
Stromness Yule Log Event
Hogmanay tradition in Stromness featuring a tug-of-war competition.