Best things to do in Fife this summer
This season's highlights include arts festivals, cycling and some serious golfing
All year round, Fife has endless treasures to explore, from its beautiful coastlines and beaches to world-famous golf courses and historic castles. However, there is rarely a better time to visit Fife than in the summer, when the entire county becomes jam-packed with events and festivals for everyone from art lovers and foodies to music fans and sports fanatics. To help you create your perfect itinerary, we've sifted through Fife's busy calendar and picked out the highlights that you can't miss.
Glenrothes Comic Con
After last year's successful inaugural event, the Glenrothes Comic Con flies back into town for its second year celebrating and appreciating comics and related art forms. This year's event is curated by Marvel and DC Comics artist, Gary Erskine, and features both established creators and local talent. Expect all your favourites from comics, film and games, cosplay, workshops, panels, vendors, toys and more.
Glenrothes Comic Con, Sat 9 Jun
Spokes Cycles Kingdom Junior Classic
Scotland's only British Road Series pedals its way into Fife in June, bringing with it some of the best under 19s cycling talent from across Europe. The course covers 140 miles of road, with stage one beginning in St Andrews and looping its way around the countryside before ending at the summit of Falkland Hill. Stage two is more gruelling, with competitors starting in Kennoway and racing over four laps through Cadgers Brae and Cults Hill. Former winners include Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish – so you may just witness the next star in action.
Spokes Classic, Sat 9–Sun 10 Jun
Crail Food Festival
Foodies are sure to delight in this food festival held in a fishing village known for its fresh seafood. The festival is bigger than ever this year, with a new venue at Beech Walk Park that features a marquee area with a market, bar and live music. It takes place in different locations around the little village and offers visitors food and drink stalls, chef's workshops, live music, demonstrations and activities.
Crail Food Festival, Sat 9–Sun 10 Jun
East Neuk Festival
If you're looking for concerts in unusual and interesting venues, then this is the event for you. The East Neuk Festival is known for hosting its music events in quirky spaces throughout the coastal villages of Elie, St Monans, Anstruther, Kilrenny and Crail. The five-day programme includes 23 different events with a mix of classical, jazz, roots and traditional music to enjoy from prominent composers and performers.
East Neuk Festival, Wed 27–Sun 1 Jul
Fife Pride
Show your support for equality and diversity at the second annual Fife Pride taking place in Kirkcaldy Town Centre in July. Expect a colourful parade and non-stop music and entertainment, from burlesque stars and fabulous drag queens. This event is family-friendly with a range of activities like henna, face-painting and mocktail-making classes on offer. Expect lots of rainbow freebies.
Fife Pride, Sat 7 July
The Senior Open Championship at The Old Course, St Andrews
Fife is known around the world for golf and every year, people travel from far and wide to play or watch the game where it was invented. This year, the home of golf hosts The Senior Open at The Old Course for the first time in the event's 32-year history. Golfing legends like Sir Nick Faldo, John Daly, Tom Watson and Bernhard Langer will compete for the Senior Claret Jug.
Senior Open Championship, Thu 26–Sun 29 July
Anstruther Harbour Festival
This festival is two full days of fun and entertainment for the whole family in the idyllic surroundings of a picturesque fishing village. There is something for all tastes, with events like a Classic Boat Rally, Anster Muster, ceilidhs, traditional Scottish music, highland dancing, family-friendly activities, and local food and drinks stalls. Complete your weekend by grabbing a world-famous Anstruther fish supper.
Anstruther Harbour Festival, Sat 28–Sun 29 July
Pittenweem Arts Festival
Good things come in small packages, and the tiny village of Pittenweem attracts around 25,000 people each year. The Pittenweem Arts Festival takes place over nine days and hosts 100 exhibitions in galleries, homes, studios and public venues from artists all around Britain. There is also a programme of talks and workshops. Every year, internationally acclaimed artists are invited to exhibit, and this year the artists are Glen Onwin, Lucy Dunce and Derek Robertson.
Pittenweem Arts Festival, Sat 4–Sun 12 Aug
Eliminator Bike Festival
Eliminator Bike Festival has evolved in recent years to be so much more than a cycling festival. Yes, there is still Scotland's only Cross Country Eliminator tournament, the Muckathlon off-road Duathlon and bike racing for kids. But there is also three days of camping (or glamping) to enjoy, live music, kids' entertainment, food and drink and craft workshops. So you don't need to be a mountain biker to enjoy everything Eliminator has to offer.
Eliminator Bike Festival Fri 31 Aug–Thu 2 Sep
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