The 44th Shetland Folk Festival will be held between Thursday 30th April and Sunday 3rd May 2026 and as the UK’s most northerly folk festival, it is regarded as a prestigious event for local and visiting artists both new and those more experienced.
The Shetland Folk Festival is a vibrant celebration of music, culture and community that has been bringing people together since 1981. Organised by a dedicated volunteer committee and supported by hundreds of local helpers, the Festival showcases Shetland’s renowned hospitality and strong musical heritage.
Concerts take place across community venues including community halls, Mareel and the Clickimin Leisure Centre, where local performers share the stage with visiting artists from around the world. This unique meeting of cultures keeps Shetland’s rich fiddle tradition at its heart while creating an internationally respected festival shaped by the people of the islands.