Orkney Folk Festival has announced its full programme for the 2025 event, with acts from around the world set to perform across the islands between 22 and 25 May.
Leading artists from Canada, the USA, Australia, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Sápmi, England and throughout Scotland will join home-grown Orcadian musicians as part of the 60 acts appearing at the festival in its 42nd year.
Orkney Folk Festival Producer, Craig Corse said:
“In the year that Orkney welcomes its largest number of fellow island visitors – most likely ever – we’re delighted to kick things off with a bumper contingent of islander musicians and singers from across the globe.
“As well as islanders, with Orkney proudly taking centre stage once again, among the 60 acts appearing this year, we welcome a number of our Nordic cousins – with some of the most groundbreaking Finnish, Danish and Sámi artists heading our way.
“They’ll be joined by more gems from Australia, the USA, Canada, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland, and England, while Orkney’s homegrown artists are once again ready to provide the festival’s famed island welcome. Over 50% of artists proudly hail from our home shores.
“This year we also include our first venture into cinema, musical puppet theatre for the wee ones, the annual Family Folkie events on Saturday afternoon, an enhanced workshop programme, and not forgetting the festival’s famed pub sessions running throughout the weekend in Stromness.
“With 55 events, there’s plenty to satisfy the most varied of folky palates – from the traditional, to the furthest fringes of folk fusion – and with all shows individually ticketed, audiences are able to build their own itinerary to suit their tastes and budgets.
“Whether joining us for one concert or 12, we can’t wait to welcome audiences back to Stromness and across Orkney, and for the festival magic to begin once again.”
While more than half of all events will take place in the festival’s hometown of Stromness, performances are also planned in Birsay, Deerness, Finstown, Harray, Hoy, Kirkwall, Sanday, Sandwick, St Margaret’s Hope, Stenness and Tankerness.
The 2025 festival also includes its first ever cinema event, with a special screening of Kim Carnie’s multi award-winning film, Kim Carnie Out Loud. From the age of 16, Kim spent six years in a secret same-sex relationship. In the film, she meets other members of the LGBTQ+ community who also hid their sexuality for a variety of reasons. Kim Carnie Out Loud is both an exploration of the challenges faced by people because of their sexuality and a joyous celebration of being gay. Kim will attend the screening to take questions from audience members.
Tickets will go on pre-sale to members of Orkney Friends, the festival’s supporter scheme, on Saturday 29 March, ahead of the general release at 7pm BST on Wednesday 2 April.