Orkney Folk Festival has unveiled its full programme for 2026, with artists from across the world set to perform between the 21st and 24th of May across venues throughout the islands.
The much loved festival returns for its 43rd year with 52 acts and 53 events planned, bringing together international performers and home grown Orcadian talent in a celebration of both traditional and contemporary folk music.
Audiences can expect a rich mix of concerts, dances, stomps, workshops and family events, with more than half taking place in Stromness and the rest spread across communities including Kirkwall, Hoy, Rousay and Stenness.
The scale of the event reflects its growing reputation, with nearly 9,000 tickets sold during a record breaking 2025 festival, and organisers now building on that success with an even broader and more ambitious programme.
This year’s line up includes artists travelling from the United States, Canada, Finland, Ireland and across the UK, alongside a strong core of musicians from Orkney itself.
Among the international names are Kenneth Pattengale of The Milk Carton Kids, making his first solo appearances in 16 years, alongside Louisiana artists Dirk and Amelia Powell and Cedric Watson bringing Cajun and Creole influences.
Brooklyn trio Damn Tall Buildings will also feature, while Canada is represented by members of the celebrated Cape Breton group Beòlach, and Finnish act Polenta adds a distinctive Scandinavian sound.
The festival’s much loved Gathering concert returns with a Transatlantic theme, bringing together musicians from Orkney, the Black Isle, Ireland, Cape Breton and Louisiana under the direction of Douglas Montgomery.
Late night energy remains a cornerstone of the festival, with Friday’s stomp moving to Kirkwall’s Rapture nightclub, featuring Elephant Sessions and Ireland’s Gráinne Hunt, while Saturday’s event returns to Stromness Academy with Orkney favourites The Chair and Auskerry.
For those drawn to more traditional sounds, Scottish dance sessions led by Rory Matheson and his band will offer a chance to take to the floor in both Stromness and Stenness.
Island hopping music lovers are also well served, with events in Hoy and Rousay offering intimate performances and a chance to experience the festival beyond its main hub.
Families remain firmly at the heart of the programme, with Claire Hastings returning to lead interactive music sessions for younger audiences and the popular Family Folkie bringing a more relaxed, welcoming atmosphere to Saturday afternoon.
The long running schools programme will once again give local children the chance to experience live performances, building on last year’s large scale outreach event which welcomed hundreds of pupils and adults with additional support needs.
Festivalgoers keen to take part can also join workshops covering fiddle styles from Orkney, Ireland, Shetland and Cape Breton, as well as guitar, dance and vocal sessions, ensuring the weekend is as much about participation as performance.
Festival Producer Craig Corse said:
“We’re delighted to share the full programme for this year’s festival, which once again brings together artists from across Scotland alongside musicians travelling from England, Ireland, Finland, Cape Breton and the United States.
“It’s a line-up that reflects the breadth of contemporary and traditional folk music, while highlighting the distinctive regional styles that make these traditions so rich.
“As ever, Orkney and Orcadian music is central to the festival, with over half of all artists hailing from these shores.
“That strength of local participation isn’t accidental or for one weekend only.
“It reflects a living tradition carried in sessions, youth groups, choirs, bands and traditional music societies throughout the year.
“This local core sits at the heart of the programme, sharing stages, late nights and good-going tunes with guests proudly welcomed to Orkney.”
Tickets go on general release at 7pm on the 1st of April, following an earlier pre sale for members of the Orkney Friends supporter scheme.
With its mix of global talent and deeply rooted local culture, the 2026 festival looks set to once again turn Orkney into one of the most vibrant musical stages in the country.
Orkney prepares to welcome the world as its folk festival returns with a packed programme of music, dance and community, blending international talent with a strong island voice at the heart of one of Scotland’s most celebrated events.
