The Big Spring Bash at St Andrews Botanic Garden

St Andrews Botanic Garden is launching a brand-new event “The Big Spring Bash” - a celebration of spring, showcasing wonderful small businesses and projects from across Fife.

Taking place on 25th and 26th March, the action-packed weekend will feature interactive activities, live music, local food & drink plus an urban market – all in the beautiful setting of St Andrews Botanic Garden.
The event, supported by the Fife Strategic Events Fund, aims to create a sense of local pride, highlighting and celebrating the talent, produce, and nature on our doorstep to local communities and visitors to the area.

'Fife Council are delighted to support this exciting new event through the Fife Events Development Fund. The Big Spring Bash offers a busy and varied programme of activities, which we believe will provide valuable benefits and opportunities for the local community, as well as attracting visitors to the town of St Andrews.' Cllr Altany Craik, Fife Council

St Andrews Botanic Garden will be partnering with a huge variety of local organisations to provide a fabulous day out with experiences designed for all.

The event will bring together food vendors and musicians from across the Kingdom, encouraging visitors enjoy local food & drink while relaxing with live music from local musicians in the stunning setting of the Wildflower Garden. Across the weekend there will be performances of live music from local musicians including Callum Gibson, RAAB and Gavin McGinty and Family Ceilidh sessions from Ceilidh Kids.

Partner and neighbour St Andrews Brewing Company will be providing a bar featuring their award-winning drinks produced in Fife.

“St. Andrews BrewCo are over the moon to be partnering with our neighbours, St. Andrews Botanic Gardens for The Big Spring Bash! Our brewery is so close, we plan to wheel some kegs around for our bar. We will be pouring a selection of our award-winning beers, spirits and plenty of soft drinks for all the family. With live music, tasty food, and plenty of family activities nearby, why not get in early, secure your spot and enjoy a great weekend. We can’t wait to see you there, Cheers!” Stuart Regan – St Andrews BrewCo

Throughout the weekend there will be a whole host of activities on offer, including tales for all from local authors & storytellers, Sheila Kinninmonth and Emma-Louise Beeson, and rocket making and pond dipping with St Andrews Botanic Garden’s Education team. Families with children under 5 will also be able to visit our special Early Years Zone, with science and nature activities specially designed for young families to enjoy together, led by Hollie Sutherland.

Dundee Science Centre’s team will a delivering their community workshop exploring biodiversity & conservation through demonstrations using Spinach leaves to witness photosynthesis in real time as well as making make seed bombs with British wildflowers.

Visitors will also be able to get creative and try their hand at jelly printing, yarn spinning and nature crafts with local artists and makers. There’s also the opportunity to unwind and connect with nature through Family Pilates sessions delivered by North East Fife-based instructor Carol Urquhart.

Throughout the weekend visitors can enjoy perusing and picking up unique gifts and artworks from the Urban Market which will showcase the very best in local artists, makers, designers, producers from in and around Fife.

“We’re very excited to be joining forces with the St Andrew’s Botanics! We’ll be creating a beautifully curated market packed full of super talented traders, all gathered in the Botanic’s Glasshouse. Throw in live music, lots of family activities, food and drink and you’ve got the lot! We can’t wait to kick off our market season at The Big Spring Bash and celebrate being a part of the On The Rocks Festival too!”
Mel Jarron, Scene Scotland – Urban Market

The event will feature as part of On The Rocks – Scotland’s largest student-run art festival, organised by students from the University of St Andrews.

Through St Andrews Botanic Garden’s widening access scheme, a number of free tickets will be allocated for specific community groups to ensure finance is not a barrier for taking part.

Community spirit is at the core of this event and there will be opportunities for volunteers to get involved with various elements of the event, if you are interested in taking part contact volunteer@standrewsbotanic.org.

Ticket for The Big Spring Bash are on sale now at: https://www.standrewsbotanic.org/events (Adults: £12, Children: £8). Proceeds from ticket income supports the St Andrews Botanic Garden Trust’s charitable education and conversation work.