Outwith Festival 2025 - 3rd - 7th September 2025
Outwith Festival is a vibrant five-day celebration of creativity, culture, and community taking place in Dunfermline from 3–7 September 2025. Showcasing the best in music, art, film, literature and theatre, the festival features local talent alongside big names. With everything from live gigs to art exhibitions and creative workshops, Outwith offers something for everyone to enjoy in Scotland’s ancient capital.
Festival Highlights
Music & Live Performance
- All‑Dayer – 6 Sept, 2:00 pm–11:00 pm @ Glen Pavilion, Pittencrieff Park. Features Arab Strap, The Twilight Sad (Stripped Back), Sergeant, Gulp, and more across four stages, plus artisan market, food stalls, beer tent, and funfair.
- West Wind – Young Musician Showcase – 4 Sept, 7:00 pm–10:00 pm @ Carnegie Hall. Local emerging bands including CALICO, SILENCED BLUE, KARNYX, and more, with recordings produced by Michael Brennan available to purchase on-site
Theatre & Live Storytelling
- Mary, Queen of Rock! – 3 Sept, 7:30 pm–9:00 pm @ Carnegie Hall. A fresh Scottish musical reimagining Mary Stuart as a rock ‘n’ roll queen under prohibition
- Ian Rankin – The Outwith Interview – 5 Sept, 8:00 pm–9:15 pm @ Carnegie Hall Studio Theatre. The beloved author discusses cultural moments with BBC’s Nicola Meighan.
Film Screenings & Conversations
- Alfred Hitchcock: The First Steps (Double Bill) – 6 Sept, 1:00 pm–5:00 pm @ Carnegie Hall Studio Theatre. Includes The Lodger (1927) with live piano music by Mike Nolan, and The 39 Steps (1935) with an intro from Ursula Buchan.
- Restless Natives (1985) – 40th Anniversary – 6 Sept, 6:30 pm–8:30 pm @ Carnegie Hall. Screening followed by a Q&A with Bruce Watson (Big Country) and screenwriter Ninian Dunnett.
- Short Film Night – 7 Sept, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm @ Carnegie Hall. A curated program of shorts from emerging filmmakers, with post-show networking at Tiffany’s bar.
Art, Writing & Workshops
- Outwith Contemporaries ’25 Exhibition – 6 Sept, 12:00 pm–8:00 pm @ Library, Carnegie Hall. Showcasing up-and-coming visual artists from Fife and beyond.
- Smorgasbord – Marcus Oakley Exhibition – 4 Sept, 10:00 am–4:00 pm @ Abbot House. Displays the vibrant and pared-back works of local contemporary artist Marcus Oakley.
- Elisha Enfield Exhibition – 4 Sept, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm @ Fire Station Creative. Featuring award-winning works exploring rituals and human presence by Sky Arts’ Landscape Artist of the Year 2022
- Thieves of Dunfermline II – Alternative Art Tour – 6 Sept, 1:00 pm–2:00 pm @ Workspace Dunfermline. Join artist Alan Grieve for a playful and insightful walking tour through the city’s landmarks
- Interior Design Inspiration: ‘Outwith Inside’ – 7 Sept, 3:00 pm–5:00 pm @ Carnegie Hall Studio Theatre. Instagram interiors stars offer styling advice, followed by mingling at Tiffany’s bar
Writing & Literary Events
- Cut‑up Workshop with Fi Bailey – 4 Sept, 5:00 pm–6:30 pm @ Carnegie Hall. A creative, low-stress writing workshop for all levels
- How to Write Your Own Memoir – 4 Sept, 7:00 pm–8:30 pm @ Carnegie Hall. Use local landmarks as prompts in this interactive session by Marianne Berghuis
- Spoken Word Open Mic Night – 6 Sept, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm @ Tiffany’s, Carnegie Hall. Hosted with Fife Writes—bring your poetry or enjoy performances
- “Cowboy Like Me” – Literary Analysis (Taylor’s Version) – 5 Sept, 5:15 pm–6:15 pm @ Library, Carnegie Hall. Explore Taylor Swift’s lyrics in a fun, creative group session
Family & Children’s Activities
- Heebie Jeebies – Children’s Theatre – 7 Sept, 1:00 pm–2:00 pm @ Carnegie Hall. Multilingual storytelling with puppetry and music for children under 7
- Magnetic Mapmaking – 7 Sept, 10:30 am–11:30 am @ Carnegie Hall. Create a tabletop Dunfermline map with moving characters in this all-ages art activity
- Short Films for Wee Ones – 7 Sept, 11:00 am–12:00 pm @ Studio Theatre, Carnegie Hall. A delightful, dialogue-free program of shorts for younger children (3+) with free activity packs and fruit
- Short Films for Families – 7 Sept, 12:30 pm–1:30 pm @ Studio Theatre, Carnegie Hall. Suitable for ages 8+, a charming mix of global short films—with content warnings for some whimsical or slightly intense scenes
Special & Community Experiences
- Festival Cheese and Wine – 4 Sept, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm @ Tiffany’s, Carnegie Hall. A curated pairing of five cheeses and wines by local food experts Juniper Wine Cafe and Must Be Crackers Deli. (Note: no vegetarian or vegan options)
- Forth Ports Vintage Bus Tour – 7 Sept, 12:00 pm–4:00 pm. Guided vintage bus tours of the Port of Rosyth and Dunfermline city highlights—three one-hour sessions departing from Pittencrieff Park. Note: may not suit those with soy allergies
- Park Bathing – 6 Sept, 10:30 am–11:30 am @ Carnegie Hall entrance. A relaxing forest‑bathing session in the park led by Pete Hogg of Heading Out
- STODDCAST: LIVE – 4 Sept, 8:00 pm–10:00 pm @ PJ Molloy & Sons. A live podcast recording featuring drumming stories and Q&A with legendary guests for music fans
- Big Outwith Cultural Quiz – 4 Sept, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm @ Seven Kings pub. A lively quiz with prizes—teams of 2–6, £5 per person, must be aged 16+
Visitor Tips
- For music All-Dayer collect wristbands on arrival at Glen Pavilion.
- The FAQ's about the festival are on the website - www.outwithfestival.co.uk
