The Best Events in Fife This Autumn
There's a lot happening in Fife – keep exploring, as summer eases into autumn, with our handy what's on guide
Over the past year, holidaying somewhere local has been high up the agenda for many of us, and we’ve been so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world. With restrictions easing it’s been exciting to see festivals and events back on the menu, and this autumn the Kingdom of Fife are going all out with a packed calendar of picturesque coastal festivals and thrilling sports, as well as outdoor events and concerts.
Starting in the glorious East Neuk, Fèis Chala An t-sruthair (Anstruther Harbour Festival) gets the season off to a great start. Running from 3-5 September in the quaint seaside village of Anstruther, famous for the award winning Anstruther Fish Bar, take the family for a day out to be treasured. Traditional music and dance, family entertainment, street food, a muster of historic, classic and modern sailing boats and the annual ‘anster fair’, where a slew of local traders from cheesemongers to distillers sell their wares. The weekend-long festival is free to attend with the exception of the opening night concert from Scots Trad Live Act of the Year 2017, Skipinnish. Tickets available from eventbrite.co.uk
While trad is the name of the game at the Anstruther Harbour Festival, the following weekend at Silverburn Park in Levenmouth you’ll find the inaugural Fife Fest (11-12 Sep), where some of the UK’s best tribute bands and local talent will coalesce. 90s and 00s indie, Britpop and Madchester fans are in for a real treat as the line-up includes Definitely Oasis, Kings of Lyon, The Kopycat Killers, Stereosonics, The Absolute Jam, Resurrection Stone Roses and The Freddie & Queen Experience. Expect two days of back-to-back singalongs and sore throats aplenty by the end of the weekend. Tickets available from skiddle.com
There’s more for music fans in Fife in October, too, as St Andrews Voices, Scotland’s only festival of vocal and choral music returns to the Fife coast from 14-17 October. Showcasing a plethora of genres throughout the university town, over the long mid-October weekend you’ll get to truly explore the beauty and versatility of the human voice, with the opportunity to even take part in singing workshops yourself should you want to give it a go. Find more information at standrewsvoices.com
For something a bit different, true thrill-seekers will want to head to the Knockhill Racing Circuit in Dunfermline from 25-26 September where the 5 Nations British Rallycross Championship will be taking place. It's made up of a number of events including the Supercar Championships, the Junior Rallycross Championships and the Retro Rallycross Championships, and will provide a great day’s entertainment for those who like to see action, and lots of it. If one weekend isn’t enough to quench your adrenaline thirst, check out Knockhill’s full season programme. Tickets available from knockhill.com
Two years on from our last chance to don our scariest costumes, Halloween is back and Fife are celebrating in style with the brand new Spook’Ore event, inviting you to be spooked this Halloween. Taking place at Lochore Meadows Country Park in Lochgelly from 29-31 October, family friendly daytime events include spooky walks, pumpkin picking, face painting and more, while their adult-only Horr’ore evening events will feature a terrifying woodland trail, fancy dress, entertainment and street food. What’s more, there’s a drive-in cinema each night showing classic Halloween family flicks like Casper, Monster House and The Addams Family. Tickets available from spookore.co.uk
Golf fanatics will want to make sure they’re in the area a little earlier in the season as the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship takes place from 30 September to 3 October. Taking place at three world class courses, you’ll be able to experience two of Fife’s finest as St Andrews’ Old Course and the East Neuk’s Kingsbarns Golf Links both feature. This unique golfing event incorporates a professional golf tournament and contest which sees celebrity golfers play against the professionals, so you might even spot some famous faces out on the greens. More information can be found at alfreddunhilllinks.com
Finally, if you’re looking to get your art crawl on this autumn, the Falkland Estate Trail of Thought could be just the ticket. Running until 30 September, thought-provoking typographic carvings and art installations within the estate’s surrounding woodlands will help bring some much-needed peace and tranquility to a day out, an experience that hopes to encourage mindfulness. Commissioned by Fife Contemporary from writer/actor Lesley Acheson and artist/designer Sebastian Chaloner, a map and audio guide is also available for the trail. More information can be found at fcac.co.uk/exhibitions/falkland-estate-trail-of-thought
For more information about what’s on in the beautiful Kingdom of Fife this autumn and beyond visit welcometofife.com