Welcome to Cupar’s Open Doors Weekend. The town is delighted to take part in what is Scotland’s largest free festival. This schedule has been compiled from information shared by those taking part. Please use the info below to plan your visit – and feel free to share with family, friends and colleagues to encourage them to join in the town’s Open Doors Days. Thank you.

The Open Doors Weekend activities have been brought together my many who were involved in the town’s BIG Weekend celebrations that ran in 2021-23. Initially, the 2021 weekend was a real celebration of the end of lockdowns – and provided the first opportunity for organsiations, residents and visitors to come together and celebrate all that Cupar had to offer after so many months of restrictions. The 2022 and 2023 events repeated much of what had been the trailblazer.

Twelve months on – with so many associations, charities, clubs, organisations and societies running their own events year-round – it was felt that those who wished to be involved would help to showcase Cupar as part of the Open Doors Festival … hence this calendar for you to enjoy.

 

Friday 20th September

Three Estates Cupar with Fife Council – 8.30am – 6pm: this is a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy viewing some of the older areas of Cupar’s historic County Buildings on St Catherine Street. The local heritage charity, Three Estates Cupar, is working with Fife Council to open the doors to The Old Courtroom, JP Courtroom and County Hall. All interested should report to reception on arrival. Three Estates Cupar would like to thank Fife Council for their help and support in accommodating this unique event. The nearest parking is Fluthers Car Park, only a few minutes’ stroll or roll away. Please note, ‘Country Hall’ only is closed from 12.30-2pm. You can catch a glimpse by watching the video below …

Hays Travel – 9.15 – 5pm: come and meet the team at the newly-opened Hays Travel at 28 Crossgate. They’ll be sharing all the very latest travel information with a Holiday & Cruise Sale, Exclusive Jet2 Holiday Discounts as well as Exclusive Dundee Cruise Offers. There’s on-street parking on Crossgate although we recommend parking in one of the town’s car parks and enjoying the walk around town to enjoy all that’s available.  On the day? £100 Off all Jet2 Holidays, £50 off all Dundee Cruises plus a Holiday Money Rate Sale with “no one beats us” in town rates!  And – any Holiday or Holiday Money transaction on the day enters you into a draw to WIN a FREE Cruise for two from Dundee (Hays Travel Cupar Exclusive).

Cupar Museum and Heritage Centre – 14.00 to 16.30: Entry to Cupar Museum is free. It is staffed by volunteers. You will find them in premises at Cupar Railway Station, the former Railway Cottage – just off Platform Two (below). Their current exhibitions tell the story of Cupar Through The Ages, with additional exhibits on local pharmacies, Hawklaw Listening Station, and a special feature on Local Food & Drink. If you cannot make it during the weekend, they continue with their normal opening hours until the end of their season, the 30th October: Wednesdays 14.00 to 16.30, Fridays 14.00 to 16.30 and Sundays 14.00 to 16.30. Their season of talks on Local Heritage takes place on the last Monday of each month – up to the end of November. For more information, please visit their website via this link or call 01334 844979. There’s paid parking on site in the station’s car park.

Saturday 21st September

Hays Travel – 9.15 – 5pm: come and meet the team at the newly-opened Hays Travel at 28 Crossgate. They’ll be sharing all the very latest travel information with a Holiday & Cruise Sale, Exclusive Jet2 Holiday Discounts as well as Exclusive Dundee Cruise Offers. On the day? £100 Off all Jet2 Holidays, £50 off all Dundee Cruises plus a Holiday Money Rate Sale with “no one beats us” in town rates!  And – any Holiday or Holiday Money transaction on the day enters you into a draw to WIN a FREE Cruise for two from Dundee (Hays Travel Cupar Exclusive). There’s on-street parking on Crossgate although access is restricted because of the Market: therefore, we recommend parking in one of the town’s car parks and enjoying the walk around town to enjoy all that’s available.

St James The Great Music Marathon – 9.30 – 4pm: once again, St James The Great – the church on St Catherine Street – is staging a music marathon on this celebratory weekend. The run of events starts with a morning prayer at 9.30 and then includes Chris Bragg on the organ (10-10.30), Cupalele (10.45-11.30), Jenefer Spell, Steve and Cammie (singing) from 11.45-12.30, Ed Link and Greg Brown (clarinet) from 12.30 until 1pm. There will be a lunchtime break and then followed by John Sampson (recorder virtuos with added crumhorn) from 1.45 until 2, Julia at 2-2.15, Cupar Youth Brass Band from 2.30 until 3 and completes with an evening prayer at 3.15 until 4. Nearest parking is in Fluthers.

Cupar YMCA-YWCA – 10am – Noon: this is a ‘Welcome to the Y‘ event and will be held at their premises – 97 Bonnygate (KY15 4LG) on their fully-accessible ground floor. It is an opportunity to come in and find out more information about the Y’s work, activities and opportunities within the YMCA-YWCA. There will be free refreshments on offer too. Public parking can be found in the Bonnygate Car Park – just a short walking distance. You can find more on their work and facilities via their website on this link.

Cupar Youth Cafe – 10am – 2pm: The Youth Cafe is keen to welcome the community to “come look around, chat to our Wellbeing Ambassadors and staff about what youth work we offer the young people of Cupar and experience our brand new Sensory Nook, created by the young people.” They will also be delivering their first ever CYC Fundraiser event, where our Ambassadors will be delivering workshops, a bake sale with tea and coffee, and table sales with hand made goods. All donations are greatly received, but this is not essential to your visit. Attending the Open Door is free. The property has wheelchair access. Discover more on their fab work in the community via their website on this link.

Cupar Market – 10am – 2pm: more ‘open air’ than open doors! On Crossgate where you will find independent producers and creatives selling fresh produce and food – together with handmade crafts and homewares. Their focus on on sustainability. Did you know they plant a tree for every market they run to help offset their impact and that of their stallholders on the carbon footprint associated with their markets. Follow them on Facebook for the latest updates on market stalls and read more on their markets and sustainability via their website on this link. Parking and access restrictions are in place. Please note, the market is always subject to weather.

Three Estates Cupar 10am – 4pm: the local charity celebrating the life and times of Sir David Lindsay will be at The Cross on Crossgate on Saturday, helping to publicise all events happening across the weekend. Their time at The Cross will also include mediaeval pageantry, a visit from the Lord Lieutenancy as well as involvement from Bell Baxter High School, Castlehill Primary School and Kilmaron School.

Cupar Scout Group – 10am-2pm: the group is running an event to showcase Scouting through the years! Visit the Cupar Scout Hall. There’s parking in Bonnygate car park and the hall has full disabled access – including disabled toilet. Refreshments will be available. You’ll find more information on their group and their work via their website on this link.

Cupar Museum and Heritage Centre – 11.00 to 15.00: Entry to Cupar Museum is free. It is staffed by volunteers. You will find them in premises at Cupar Railway Station, the former Railway Cottage – just off Platform Two. Their current exhibitions tell the story of Cupar Through The Ages, with additional exhibits on local pharmacies, Hawklaw Listening Station, and a special feature on Local Food & Drink. If you cannot make it during the weekend, they continue with their normal opening hours until the end of their season, the 30th October: Wednesdays 14.00 to 16.30, Fridays 14.00 to 16.30 and Sundays 14.00 to 16.30. Their season of talks on Local Heritage takes place on the last Monday of each month – up to the end of November. For more information, please visit their website via this link or call 01334 844979.

Cupar Food Bank – 12 – 3pm: our town’s food bank provides exceptional levels of support for some of the most vulnerable in our community. Their work – based in the building with the blue door at the park end of St Catherine Street – delivers emergency food for people across the whole of north east Fife … from Newburgh to Crail. They are opening their doors to “welcome visitors to Cupar Foodbank in order to raise awareness of how we support those in need within the local community.” There is limited access for wheelchair users – only the upstairs (which is the ground floor of the property) is accessible. Parking is available close by at Fluthers car park. You can find more and follow them via their Facebook page.

Cupar St John’s Church – noon – 2pm: St John’s Church on Bonnygate will be open to visit and look around. Members of the church will on hand to welcome you, show you around and answer any questions you may have. Refreshments will also be available. Parking in available in the church grounds. Disabled access is via the side ramp. They have disabled toilet facilities on site. You can find more on the church via their Facebook page on this link.

 

Sunday 22nd September

Cupar Food Bank – 12 – 3pm: our town’s food bank provides exceptional levels of support for some of the most vulnerable in our community. Their work – based in the building with the blue door at the park end of St Catherine Street – delivers emergency food for people across the whole of north east Fife … from Newburgh to Crail. They are opening their doors to “welcome visitors to Cupar Foodbank in order to raise awareness of how we support those in need within the local community.” There is limited access for wheelchair users – only the upstairs (which is the ground floor of the property) is accessible. Parking is available close by at Fluthers car park. You can find more and follow them via their Facebook page.

Cupar St John’s Church – noon – 2pm: St John’s Church on Bonnygate will be open to visit and look around. Members of the church will on hand to welcome you, show you around and answer any questions you may have. Refreshments will also be available. Parking in available in the church grounds. Disabled access is via the side ramp. They have disabled toilet facilities on site. You can find more on the church via their Facebook page on this link.

Cupar Museum and Heritage Centre – 14.00 to 16.30: Entry to Cupar Museum is free. It is staffed by volunteers. You will find them in premises at Cupar Railway Station, the former Railway Cottage – just off Platform Two. Their current exhibitions tell the story of Cupar Through The Ages, with additional exhibits on local pharmacies, Hawklaw Listening Station, and a special feature on Local Food & Drink. If you cannot make it during the weekend, they continue with their normal opening hours until the end of their season, the 30th October: Wednesdays 14.00 to 16.30, Fridays 14.00 to 16.30 and Sundays 14.00 to 16.30. Their season of talks on Local Heritage takes place on the last Monday of each month – up to the end of November. For more information, please visit their website via this link or call 01334 844979.

 

Open for Food & Drink …

We can’t list every business that’s open for the weekend – so please use our categorised business listing on this site’s menu: you will find a great collection of cafes, eateries, bars, bistros, restaurants, takeaways and much more in town.

A 21st century market town, it boasts an abundance of fabulous food & drink businesses. Please click on the image below to open the Cupar information on the Fife Food & Drink Trails website. In every section, each business listed has a link that can be clicked to open their page within our site – showing the business’ location, their address, and contact information (where available) including telephone number, website and email address as well as their social media links to enable you to find more and follow those you choose …

And if you’re just here to shop, please use this link to find our categorised listings that detail more than 70 businesses across the town.

Open for a stroll?

Cupar – Fife’s ancient capital – is steeped in medieval history: why not take a stroll or roll to explore the town’s heritage trail – just follow this link for more information and the Blue Plaque Trail map.

 

 

Not on the list?

We have shared news of this weekend since the Spring but know some messages fall through the net.

If your company or organisation would like to be a part of this Celebratory Open Doors Weekend, please click on the following, complete and submit the form and we will do our best to let our audience know that you’re open with free events and activities.

 

Please note, all of these events are free to access.

Those running them may charge for certain activities, refreshments and more. Please ask for more on arrival.

And a vote of thanks to Cupar Camera Club for some of the archive images used.

 

FUNFAIR CANCELED 😢

This year’s Funfair, scheduled for the 18-22 September, has been cancelled with immediate effect by Fife Council’s events’ team.
The message that has been shared with us from them …

“I can confirm that after careful consideration, the funfair will not be going ahead at Fluthers Car Park.  Alternative locations had been looked at and no other location is available in Cupar.  Therefore, for this year the funfair will unfortunately not be held in Cupar.  The current processes will be reviewed to ensure improved community engagement and consultation regarding proposed events. I have updated the event organiser on this position.  They are of course disappointed that they will not be in Cupar this year and hope that an acceptable location can be found for the return of the funfair next year.  My Team and I will work with the organiser on this, linking with the local community as required.”

All other activities scheduled for Cupar’s Open Doors Weekend will go ahead as planned. 

 

Thank you for reading!