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Orkney’s ‘ORKtoberfest’ is back, celebrating the food, drink, and Viking heritage of the islands.

There is a packed programme full of events and fun activities, all held in and around Stromness, between 24 – 27 October.

The main event sees the town welcome Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa squad and a Viking Galley, with photo opportunities available throughout Saturday afternoon. Then, as the sun sets, a torch procession through the Stromness street will end with a celebratory burning of the ‘peedie galley’. Torches are available for a donation of £10 to CLAN Cancer Support which can be done online, in person at the CLAN shop in Kirkwall, or at the Ferry Inn on the day of the event.

Throughout the weekend you’ll be able to sample some of the finest Orkney beers alongside guest ales at both the Ferry Inn and the Royal Hotel, and live music sessions will be held too. A special Viking Feast is planned for the Friday night, and Sunday sees fun and games featuring the Orkney Arm-Wrestling Championships, one v one Tug o’War, and Speed Nailing.

The weekend will be capped off by a special curry night and traditional sessions in both the Ferry Inn and the Royal Hotel beer bars.

Torchlit procession through Stromness as part of a previous ORKtoberfest.
A potential local opponent at the Orkney Arm Wrestling Championships as part of ORKtoberfest 2023.One of the handheld torches available for folk to carry during the parade before the burning of the galley at ORKtoberfest 2023.

View the full programme below:

THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER

Orkney beer bars at the Ferry Inn and Royal Hotel open from 4.00pm, offering the best selection of local cask ales alongside the fantastic range of local bottled and canned beers.

5.30pm - 8.30pm: Evening meals served at The Ferry Inn - Booking is essential or phone 01856 850 280.

9.00pm til late: Open traditional music sessions in the Royal Hotel. Feel free to bring an instrument and join in.

FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER

Orkney beer bars open from 4pm.

7.30pm: Viking Feast - "Come in yur auld claes and ait wi yur hauns.” Ticketed three-course dinner at The Ferry Inn. Booking essential. £30 per ticket including toasts. Email info@ferryinn.com or tel 01856 850 280 to reserve your place. See the Ferry Inn website for information on menu.

10.00pm: Live band at the Royal Hotel. Party to the latest local star line-up, bringing the very best live sound to Stromness. Let the good times roll.

SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER

Orkney beer bars open for Saturday afternoon sessions - at the Royal Hotel from 12.30pm - 5pm, and the Ferry Inn from 3.00pm - 5.30pm.

2.00pm: South Mainland Up Helly Aa Galley on display at Stromness pierhead. Photo/selfie opportunity with the full size Viking galley and SMUHA squad representatives. Great chance for young and old, local and visitor, to grab a souvenir pic. Collection/donations in support of CLAN Cancer Support.

4.30pm: Torch Gathering. Come to The Ferry Inn between 4.30pm and 5.15pm for registration and collection of torches and instructions for the torchlight procession. Torches available on donation of £10 with pre-registration available at the CLAN shop in Kirkwall’s Victoria Street until Friday 25 October, and at The Ferry Inn, Stromness, until 4.30pm on the day. Registration and torch collection closes 5.15pm. Registration and payment can also be made online.

5.45pm: Fiery Parade. Led by the Stromness Royal British Legion Pipe Band and Jarl Leigh Smith, the galley and torch bearers proceed from the Pierhead to Ness.

6.45pm: Celebratory burning of the ‘Peedie Galley’. Courtesy of Chris Thomas of Stenigar, and subject to weather and tide, the bonfire will take place on the beach at the Ness slipway. Fire Marshall’s instructions must be followed at all times. No unauthorised access within the fire barriers or onto shore in front of fire.

8.00pm: Orkney beer bars reopen.

From 8.30pm: SMUHA Jarl and Squad visit the Ferry Inn – toasts to the Jarl.

10.00pm: Live band - live music returns to the stage in the Royal Hotel.

SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER

Orkney beer bars open at the Royal Hotel from 12pm, and at the Ferry Inn from 4.00pm.

From 3.00pm: The Viking (fun and) Games, incorporating the 2024 Orkney Arm-Wrestling Championship and the right Royal Speed Nailing competition (note: names to be submitted for Arm-Wrestling and Tug o’ War knockout competitions by 3pm with competitors to be on the premises for 3pm. World Arm-Wrestling Federation specification table. BAF rules apply.) £5 entry for mens and womens competition. All proceeds to CLAN.

Arm-Wrestling table available for folk to arrange their own battles.

Speed nailing from 3pm. Big nail, wee hammer. Come along and harness your inner Thor. Competition runs throughout the afternoon. Chance your arm for £2 with all proceeds to CLAN.

From 4.00pm (approx) Grand Finals and Trophy Presentations.

5.00pm-8.00pm: Ferry Inn Curry Night (mair Fire, Maet and Ale). Bar and restaurant at Ferry Inn open for a one-off curry night with meat, fish and vegetarian options and plenty beer on hand to wash it down. Booking advised on 01856 850 280 but walk-in tables may be available.

From 6.00pm: Closing traditional sessions in the beer bars.

11.00pm: Final tastes and toasts before the bars close and the festival ends.

, Visit Orkney, Food & Drink, Culture & Heritage, Life in Orkney, Culture & Events, Food & Drink, Stromness