Shetland Folk Festival
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As spring arrives, Lerwick bursts into life with the Shetland Folk Festival. It is a lively four-day celebration of folk music on the Shetland Isles. From 30 April through 3 May 2026, musicians from Shetland and beyond will gather for concerts, ceilidhs and spontaneous jam sessions across the town. Renowned as the UK’s most northerly folk festival, it is a prestigious event drawing both talented touring acts and enthusiastic local performers. The atmosphere is friendly and down-to-earth, fuelled by volunteer organisers and local support. For visitors, the experience feels like joining one big musical family for a weekend of foot-tapping tunes and dancing.
Performers include internationally acclaimed bands and soloists alongside Shetland’s own talented fiddlers, accordion players and songwriters. You’ll hear everything from traditional island fiddle tunes and Celtic reels to Americana, bluegrass and jazz-influenced folk. The festival is famous for its session culture: after the official concerts, musicians and fans spill into local pubs to jam together late into the night. These spontaneous ceilidhs let visitors join in the fun, whether you want to dance a reel or just tap your foot to the rhythm. There are concerts on most evenings, but the real magic is often in the unexpected find – an empty back hallway or quiet bar where a band suddenly sets up and invites everyone to sing along.
What truly sets this festival apart is Shetland’s renowned community spirit. The event is organised entirely by volunteers, and many artists and guests stay with host families around Lerwick and the islands. This home-hosting tradition means you’ll experience genuine Shetland hospitality: you might share a kitchen ceilidh, learn a Shetland tune from a local fiddler, or even practice herding a friendly sheep on a quiet country road. Concerts aren’t just in town: performances in village halls and venues on Mainland Shetland let you enjoy music with the beautiful rural landscape just outside. No matter which stage you’re at, you’ll be surrounded by friendly faces and a sense of community that makes the whole festival feel like a family gathering.
Each night has lineup highlights, especially the final night when Lerwick’s biggest venues host multiple headline acts at once. You can wander from stage to stage catching every performance as three halls often ring with live music simultaneously. Even after the last scheduled concert, the music continues: informal ceilidhs in pubs and halls last until the wee hours. Under the long northern sky, you might end your night clapping in time to a lively Scottish jig or learning a tune on accordion by candlelight. In the end, the Shetland Folk Festival leaves visitors with memories of great music, dancing and a warm community welcome, an experience that stays with you long after the final tune fades.
Lerwick is the main hub for Shetland, and visitors can reach it by air or by sea. By air, Sumburgh Airport (LSI) on Mainland Shetland has daily flights from Aberdeen (about 45 minutes) and connections from other UK cities. From the airport, local buses and taxis run to Lerwick (roughly a 40-45 minute drive). By sea, NorthLink Ferries operates an overnight service from Aberdeen to Lerwick most evenings. The crossing takes about 13-14 hours and arrives early the next morning; booking a cabin or reclining seat is recommended for comfort. In summer there is also a ferry that stops at Orkney (calling at Kirkwall and Stromness) if you prefer to split your journey. If you plan to bring a car to Shetland, remember to reserve a vehicle spot on the ferry.
Once you’re in Lerwick, the town itself is very walkable. If you want to explore beyond Lerwick, consider renting a car (car hire desks are at the airport and ferry terminal). Remember that outside Lerwick many roads become narrow single-track lanes with passing places, so drive carefully. The public bus network (ZetTrans) links Lerwick to other communities on Shetland Mainland – check the timetables in advance as services can be infrequent outside peak hours. Taxis operate in Lerwick for airport or hotel pickups, but late-night services can be limited. Buses, taxis and even bike rental are the main options once you arrive on the isles.
Lerwick offers a wide range of accommodation: hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs and self-catering cottages. Nearby towns such as Scalloway or Brae (about 20-30 miles away) provide additional choices if Lerwick is fully booked. The festival is a busy time, so booking well in advance is recommended. Many lodgings include hearty cooked breakfasts and free Wi-Fi. Lerwick also has supermarkets, cafes and pubs for meals and shopping; after-hours these may be limited on the outskirts, so it helps to stock up on essentials in town.
Finally, prepare for Shetland’s changeable weather. Even in spring it can be cool, windy or rainy, so bring layers, waterproof clothing and sturdy shoes. Daylight hours are long in late spring, but evenings may still feel chilly. Check transport schedules carefully and allow extra time for delays if bad weather occurs. Lerwick has good mobile coverage and free Wi-Fi in many venues, but rural areas can be patchy. With a little planning and flexibility, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy both the festival and the stunning Shetland landscape during your visit.
| Name | Star | Distance | Prices From | |
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| The Shetland Hotel | 0.8 ml | £98.00 | Book |
Lerwick, Shetland Islands, ZE10PJ
