Doors Open Day 2026: Step through the doors of Fife’s fascinating history

This coming month, September, Fife is celebrating Doors Open Days 2026 – Scotland’s largest free festival that gives you the chance to explore Fife’s rich history, architecture, and cultural heritage. 

Beginning in East Fife on Saturday 5 and 6 September, Doors Open Day will take place across three consecutive weekends and all participating venues, many of which are often not normally accessible, will offer you free entry and behind the scenes access. 

A diverse mix of buildings and spaces will open their doors to locals and visitors alike, offering exciting opportunities to experience guided tours, expert talks, and family-friendly activities, trails, and exhibitions.  From iconic landmarks to hidden architectural gems, most venues don’t require booking, although some may have limited capacity or scheduled tours. 

In East Fife, venues include Crail Museum and Heritage Centre, Boarhills Doocot and Auld Kirk Tayport. You can also visit the Jim Matthew camera collection in St Monans, the largest collection of cameras and photographic equipment in the UK. 

In Central Fife on Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 September, discover the heart of Fife with access to town halls, galleries, and heritage centres in places like Kirkcaldy, Burntisland, and Wemyss, along with specialist tours and exhibitions. Get a sneak peek inside Silverburn Flax Mill as it prepares to open its doors fully.  Enjoy a guided tour of the mill to learn about the history of the building and its future plans. 

The final weekend of Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 September will be the turn of West Fife, where you’ll have the chance to explore Dunfermline’s historic civic buildings, Aberdour’s heritage sites, and Forth Bridges Heritage Centre, Lighthouse Museum and Light Tower along with other buildings that reveal the stories of West Fife’s past and present. 

Councillor Altany Craik, Fife Council Spokesperson for Finance, Economy and Strategic Planning, said: "Doors Open Day is the perfect time to get a behind the scenes look at lots of fantastic venues right across Fife by yourself or with your family. Fife has a diverse and rich heritage and history we do not often think of in our day-to-day lives. So, using the weekends in September to take a break from normal routine to go explore and enjoy someplace new or an old favourite will be fun for everyone and bring our past and present to life."

Planning your Doors Open Day weekend couldn’t be simpler - download your free brochure and begin exploring https://www.fife.gov.uk/doorsopendays2026