A colourful float at the Unstfest Carnival
When: 14th – 22nd July 2018
Where: At venues across Unst, Shetland
£: Events have a small entry fee or request a donation. Some events are free. No tickets are required to attend the festival
What is it?
Enjoy nine days of events on the UK’s most northerly island as Unstfest takes place from Saturday 14th to Sunday 22nd July.
This year, the festival will be celebrating its ten year anniversary by putting on as many events as possible.
Events will include guided walks around the island, the Unstfest Swap Shop, Easting Beach Fun Day and the Unstfest Carnival. New events for 2018 will include a Puppet Extravaganza, the Daft Raft Race (at the Easting Beach Fun Day), Woodwick Beach Tidy and a Twilight Mystery Tour.
The festival will kick off on Saturday 14th July with harbour tours on a Viking boat, a 2K cross country run/walk, and a regatta with activities, music and drams. The first day will finish with live music from David Sandison & The Tennessee Wannabes (bring your dancing shoes).
Revamp your wardrobe with the Swap Shop event
Sunday’s highlight will include the chance to experience a Viking village with games and demonstrations, and a music jam session in the evening.
The festival will continue throughout the week with a chance to play Viking chess, discover the secret gardens of Unst, take a mystery twilight bus tour, make some puppets and put on a show, taste some Shetland gins, watch teams take part in a Gladiator challenge, and meet some horny Vikings.
The Beach Fun Day on Thursday 19th July will have activities taking place all day, with a Daft Raft Race, games, stone stacking, and live music until late.
The final weekend of the festival, on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd July will include a half marathon, Volleyball, yoga, a Sandcastle Competition, a scything demonstration, a Suffragette celebration, and a guided walk to Hermaness.
Unstfest Carnvial will take place on the final Saturday, in the evening, with the Up Helly Aa Jarl Squads and decorated floats.
More info: www.unstfest.org