Events
Our music sessions are world famous, our pubs are friendly and our shows and festivals lively.
There are numerous annual events to enjoy which take place at different times throughout the year.
The first of these is the Lerwick Up Helly Aa, the largest of the islands' fire festivals, which is on the last Tuesday of January. The Folk Festival, offering an eclectic international programme, runs for four days around the beginning of May. Around midsummer, we have the Bergen-Shetland Races and also, this year, the Shetland Hamefarin. Our Nature Festival, in July, is a great opportunity to learn about our wildlife. Fiddle Frenzy takes place in August and is a great introduction to our traditional music and arts and crafts. Later in the year, during September, we have two more great music events, the Blues Festival and the Guitar Festival. In October, there's a Food Festival that celebrates Shetland's wonderful natural ingredients; it overlaps with another important musical event, the Accordion and Fiddle Festival.
You'll see outstanding musicianship not only at the Folk Festival, the Johnsmas Foy, Flavour of Shetland and the Accordion and Fiddle Festival. Great playing can be heard at the many regular musical events and sessions on the islands. Our award-winning Simmer n' Sessions are a chance to enjoy Shetland's music in the relaxed setting of a local pub. There's no easier way to experience the excitement and passion that is at the heart of Shetland's musical culture.
