Event Details
The 45th Shetland Folk Festival 2027
From 29 April to 2 May 2027, the legendary Shetland Folk Festival returns for its 45th edition. As the UK's most northerly folk festival, this four-day celebration draws international musicians and visitors from across the world to Lerwick, the capital of the Shetland Islands. Around 15 visiting bands perform alongside Shetland's own outstanding local talent, rooted in centuries of Norse and Celtic musical tradition.
Highlights
- Four days of folk music with around 15 international guest bands and local Shetland artists
- Concerts in Lerwick and at least six rural community halls across the islands
- Festival Club at Islesburgh Community Centre with daytime concerts, workshops and informal sessions
- Sunday Foy finale concerts: all visiting bands play 15-minute sets simultaneously across three venues
- Workshops, ceilidhs and traditional fiddle sessions throughout the weekend
- Unique atmosphere: visiting artists stay with local festival supporters rather than in hotels
Programme
The festival opens on Thursday 29 April 2027 and closes on Sunday 2 May 2027. Each day brings multiple concerts across Lerwick venues as well as events in rural areas of Shetland. The Festival Club at Islesburgh Community Centre is open exclusively to members throughout the weekend, offering informal sessions, workshops and the chance to meet visiting artists. The festival closes with the traditional Foy concerts on Sunday afternoon, where all visiting bands play simultaneously in three separate venues. The full concert programme with artist names is typically announced from early March.
Tickets & Membership
The Shetland Folk Festival does not offer all-inclusive weekend passes; a separate ticket is required for each concert. A festival membership is highly recommended: it grants access to the Festival Club, priority access to ticket sales and significantly lower ticket prices. Member ticket prices for adults range from £16 to £21 per concert; non-members pay £20 to £27 per concert. Child tickets are considerably cheaper. All tickets are sold exclusively through the official festival website and sell out quickly. An early membership purchased in February gives priority access to ticket sales one week before general release and includes a 30% discount on NorthLink Ferries to Shetland.
Visitor Tips
- Buy your membership in February to get priority access to ticket sales and lower prices; popular concerts sell out within minutes of going on sale.
- Book accommodation as early as possible; Lerwick has limited hotel capacity during festival weekend.
- Travel by NorthLink Ferry from Aberdeen (approximately 12–13 hours overnight) or by plane via Sumburgh Airport. Members receive a 30% discount on the ferry.
- Pack warm and waterproof clothing; late April on Shetland can be cold, windy and wet.
- Spontaneous jam sessions happen in pubs and at the Festival Club at all hours and are open to all music lovers.
- Concerts at rural community halls offer a special experience and are typically less crowded than Lerwick venues.
