There's nothing quite like the Kingdom of Fife in the summertime, with so many beautiful seaside towns to explore and outdoor celebrations to partake in. This year sees the return of several annual favourites, from coastal food festivals and artistic offerings to Highland Games, as well as a few new gems for this season's calendar. So why waste a moment of this glorious sunshine? Pack a picnic and head on out to discover all that Fife has to offer.

Kirkcaldy Beach Highland Games

As the UK's only Highland Games to take place on a beach, thousands of spectators flock to Kirkcaldy's waterfront for this annual day of summertime family fun, sport, entertainment, activities and food and drink. This year will feature a parade and pipe band, Highland dancing, kids' races and a full athletics programme. To top it off, the grand finale will feature a closing ceremony in front of the stunning backdrop of the Firth of Forth.
Kirkcaldy Beach Highlands Games, Kirkcaldy Waterfront, Sat 8 June.

Crail Food Festival

Sample wares from some of the very best food and drink providers at this foodie celebration in the picturesque fishing village of Crail. This year's theme is 'picnic', and all guests will be invited to enjoy the food and drink available to purchase at the festival and to have their lunch in and around the village. For the musically-inclined, there's an 'open air open mic' event taking place at Beech Walk Park, so don't forget to pack your picnic blanket and guitar.
Crail Food Festival, Crail Town Hall & Beech Walk Park, Sat 8 June–Sun 9 June.

Cupar Arts EDEN

Cupar Arts EDEN returns to the rural town of Cupar to showcase a fantastic selection of art, music, comedy and theatre throughout the former royal burgh. The festival's central venue, Cupar Corn Exchange, will feature an exhibition of portraiture by artist Celie Byrne and stand-up from professional funnyman Phill Jupitus. There will also be many more exciting events taking place across the town, such as musical performances from The Pictish Trail and Coaltown Daisies, a family ceilidh and the Scottish Opera's pop-up roadshow featuring scenes from Iolanthe and The Magic Flute.
Cupar Arts EDEN, various venues: Cupar, Sat 15 June–Sun 23 June.

East Neuk Festival

A hallmark of the classical music lover's calendar, the East Neuk Festival showcases a wide range of classical, jazz, roots and world music across various scenic coastal villages, often in unusual and charming venues. This year, the programme includes the Colin Currie Quartet, Belcea Quartet, Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita and many others. There will also be free events taking place throughout the festival, including a family-friendly garden party with pop-up live music performances, a maze at Kellie Castle and an art installation in the castle's meadows.
East Neuk Festival, Wed 26 June–Sun 30 June.

Anstruther Harbour Festival

Enjoy all the fun of the fair at the Anstruther Harbour Festival, which will once more play host to the burgh's historic Anster Fair, featuring local food and craft stalls, alongside plenty of live music and street theatre for the whole family to enjoy. Highlights such as the Anstruther Muster and Classic Boat Rally will also be making their colourful return to the waterfront, alongside a welcome new addition of the Dunedin International Folk Dance Festival to the programme.
Anstruther Harbour Festival, Fri 19 July–Sun 21 July.

Largo Arts Week

An exciting new addition to the Fife events calendar, the Largo Arts Week boasts a range of exhibitions, musical performances, workshops, street food, talks, workshops and family events to be enjoyed throughout the parish. Local artists will also be opening the doors of their studios, so do poke your heads in to see genius at work. The line-up for this inaugural festival features the likes of artist David Mach; music from Fife's famous folkster James Yorkston, Rab Noakes, Withered Hand and Mairi Campbell; comedy from Phill Jupitus; and poetry from Michael Pedersden, Liz Lochead and Hollie McNeish.
Largo Arts Week, various venues, Largo, Fri 19 July–Sun 28 July.

Defend Fife

Go back in time at this festival of military history, which explores life in Dunfermline and West Scotland during the Second World War. This year, the festival will focus on the defenders of Fife in 1940, air raids on the Forth and the role of the Polish navy in Rosyth. Featuring indoor exhibitions at the Glen Pavilion, a parade through Dunfermline's town centre, a tea dance, military re-enactments and family activities, experience the story of 1940s Dunfermline and the people who worked to keep Fife safe from invasion.
Defend Fife, Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline, Sat 3 Aug–Sun 4 Aug.

Pittenweem Arts Festival

Experience a true artistic feast at this celebration of the visual arts, which will see over a hundred exhibitions by British and international artists hosted in galleries, homes, studios and public venues across this small coastal village. Invited artists this year include Allan Black, Avril Cunningham, Gail Duncan and Paul Bartlett. The festival also hosts a full programme of talks, workshops and live music to be enjoyed alongside its visual arts offering.
Pittenweem Arts Festival, various venues, Pittenweem, Sat 3 Aug–Sun 11 Aug.

Breabadair Festival

This brand new Celtic music festival is set to rock the peaceful countryside village of Ceres, with live music performances on the Saturday from some of the best contemporary folk and trad musicians in Scotland and beyond, including Salsa Celtica, Niteworks, Jarlath Henderson and the Ross Ainslie Band and Tommy Bentz. Sunday takes a more relaxed tone with a family-friendly artisan and vintage market to explore, and a showcase of acoustic tunes.
Breadadair Festival, Bow Butts, Ceres, Sat 10 Aug–Sun 11 Aug.

Women's Tour of Scotland (Stage 1)

A new and permanent fixture of the professional cycling calendar, this world-class race will cover 350km of Scotland's central belt, with over 20 elite teams from across the world coming to throw their hat in the ring. The first stage of the competition will see cyclists racing through Fife's gorgeous rural scenery, running through Cupar and North East Fife and finishing in Dunfermline's Pittencrieff Park, so come along to witness a world class sporting event up close.
Women's Tour of Scotland: Stage One, various venues, Fife, Fri 9 Aug.

Outwith Festival

The third annual Outwith Festival returns to Dunfermline, as its usual colourful range of musicians, comedians, writers and artists descend upon the town to host concerts, exhibitions, workshops and Q&As over the six-day celebration. Though this year's full line-up has yet to be announced, with over 200 events programmed to take place over 23 venues, this multi-arts festival in Scotland's ancient capital promises to continue going from strength to strength.
Outwith Festival, various venues, Dunfermline, Tue 3 Sep–Sun 8 Sep.