What’s On in the Outer Hebrides
There are many events taking place in the Outer Hebrides and many of these are held annually. They range from the annual rural livestock shows that are held at various locations throughout the islands to the Hebridean Celtic Music Festival that is held in Stornoway each summer to the Fisherman's mass in Barra.
The best place to find out what is going on locally, is to visit the Welcome Points and also local community shops.
These inlude the Hebridean Celtic Festival, in Stornoway, Lewis which takes place mid July. Followed by the Eilean Dorcha Festival in Benbecula a week or two later - if you plan carefully you could do both!
Join the Hebridean Pride Festival in Stornoway in June which brings music and colour to the town.
The Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival also takes place at the end of June.
The Hebridean Fine Food and Drink Festival usually Stornoway in September and in Tarbert in December (in 2024 it is in Tarbert Hall at 10am - 4pm). The Hebridean International Film Festival usually takes place in October.
Each district from Butt of Lewis to Barra hold an annual show in their area. These usually take place in July. Some are agricultural shows and some are Highland shows with prize breeds, wonderful baking, stalls and lots more, it is a fabulous family day out.
Sport plays a significant part in island life and this is reflected in the annual half marathon, 10k road races and hill races that are run every year on several of our islands.
There is also The Heb: Race on the Edge which is a combination of cycling, kayaking and running event taking place over 2 days in Uist.
While the Gaelic culture of the island is promoted through events such as the local Mod’s and Feis and Ceolas Summer School in July in South Uist.
Halloween (Oídche Shamhna) and Hogmanay (Oidche Challain) are widely celebrated in the Outer Hebrides, with local events in most islands.
Usually at the end of October/beginning of November, the Faclan Book Festival, a flagship cultural event is held in An Lanntair in Stornoway and draws audiences and top-level authors and performers from all across the UK.
In February, there is the amazing Hebridean Dark Skies Festival (although not in 2025). Which is an ambitious annual programme of events at An Lanntair and across Lewis, including theatre, live music, film, visual art, food, astronomy talks, and stargazing....you might also get to see the mesmerizing Northern Lights!
The wonderful Feis Mara na Hearadh (Isle of Harris Festival of the Sea) is held each summer in Tarbert .
The St Kilda Challenge is a unique, international sailing challenge, The bi-annual event has also on shore events in Lochmaddy, North Uist. You can sail to the World Heritage site, St Kilda by Flotilla, Sprint or Passage Race.
RSPB at Balranald Reserve, North Uist do regular guided walks around Uist and RSPB Loch na Muilne Reserve in Lewis also do the same.
North Harris Trust also organise some fabulous guided nature walks from April to September - every Wednesday at 10am from Bogha Glas car park.
During the year a number of craft and produce fairs are held at various locations throughout the islands and here you can purchase everything from hand-knitted clothing to home grown fruit and vegetables.
Regular produce markets through the summer include a Wednesday market in Grimsay and each Saturday morning in Stornoway town centre square.
Many of our artists open their studios over the summer. In Uist there is Art on the Map in June, July and August and in Lewis there is OSH (Open Studios Hebrides) on in July and Aug with a Stornoway Art walk in July.
Taigh Chearsabhagh and An Lanntair Art Centres have lots of events throughout the year.
You will also find events at the various community hubs throughout the island including Calanais Visitor Centre, Grinneabhat, Kinloch Historical Society, Ravenspoint, Talla na Mara and Kildonan Museum.
