Fife Alive: Events in Fife this Spring and Summer

The spring and summer months are always a delight in Scotland; the days are longer, flowers are in full bloom and the weather is – hopes not to jinx it – *usually* warmer, making for the perfect time to visit the Kingdom of Fife. In these warmer months, Fife is alive with all manner of forest trails, funfairs, markets and festivals, with a glut of picturesque seasides, harbours and artists studios all waiting to be explored with family and friends; it means that idyllic day trip or weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of Scotland’s major cities could be just around the corner.

Launched in 2021, the Falkland Estate’s Trail of Thought continues through until 1 June. A former place of rest and recreation for Kings and Queens, the Trail of Thought will allow you to explore these unique grounds via beautiful typographical carvings, commissioned by Fife Contemporary and designed by artists to encourage mindfulness, making for a relaxing morning or afternoon out. For more information about the trail and the Estate head to falklandestate.co.uk

A short 25-minute drive from the Falkland Estate, if thrills and spills are more your speed, from 19 to 24 April be sure to check out the Kirkcaldy Links Market. Don’t be fooled by this rather conservative name, as this mile-long funfair – the longest in Europe by the way – will see the Kirkcaldy Waterfront transformed into Scotland’s very own Coney Island, with over 30 adult rides, over 70 kids rides, an abundance of mouth-watering street food and, we’re told, A LOT of candy floss.

The following week, on the Bank Holiday weekend (29 Apr-1 May) art fans should seek out Open Studios North Fife, a weekend where you can step inside artist workspaces and see their creative practices up close and personal. There’ll be digital demonstrations taking place too, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and buy yourself some new art to display proudly in your own home. From Auchtermuchty to Newport-on-Tay, the open studios weekend takes place across several locations each day from 10am-5pm. Find maps featuring artist studio locations at openstudiosfife.co.uk

Further into the summer, another one for the art lovers' diary is Largo Arts Week. Taking place at various locations in Largo over the course of ten days, from 15 to 23 July enjoy exploring artist studio spaces, this time combined with a whole host of music, poetry, talks, family and pop-up events. Past events have featured the likes of Phill Jupitus and Rab Noakes, so you know you’re in for a treat.

Kicking off the month of June, the first of many a Fife festival gets underway with the Anstruther Harbour Festival. A highlight of Fife’s gorgeous East Neuk, Anstruther is perhaps most famous for the Anstruther Fish Bar where you can get the catch of the day served on a bed of perfectly cooked chips, while a few doors along you’ll find the trendy Aeble cider shop. From 2 to 4 June, the harbour comes to life with food and craft stalls from local traders, street performers, a classic sailboat muster, specialist entertainment for kids and a programme of live music covering everything from the more traditional to the quirky Red Hot Chilli Pipers, not to be confused with the LA rock band with a similar name.

Staying in the East Neuk, at the end of the month, from 29 June to 2 July the East Neuk Festival returns for its 18th outing with a lineup of world class musicians traversing jazz, traditional and classical. Taking over venues like St Monans Kirk, Crail Parish Church, Kilrenny Parish Church and Holy Trinity St Andrews, you’re sure to have an almost religious experience as you watch the likes of award-winning Spanish accordionist Sofía Ros, South Korean classical pianist Yeol Eum Son or the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Rounding out Fife’s summer festival programme, Aberdour on the north shore of the Firth of Forth welcomes the Aberdour Festival. Taking place from 28 July to 6 August, this family friendly festival has something for all ages and all tastes, with ten days of activities, workshops, live music and comedy. And of course, the festival wouldn’t be complete without the annual beach day and raft race as well as the world famous seven-mile Donkey Brae Run (30 Jul), which starts and ends at the festival’s village market.

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To find more information about what's on in Fife visit welcometofife.com/events