DATES for the 2023 return of Dunfermline's Outwith festival have been confirmed.

The five-day arts and music celebration is marking its fifth outing and has this year announced an international collaboration with a group of artists in Bilbao.

The line-up will also include theatre, film, and comedy, while nearly 40 bands will play across city centre venues during an all-day music event.

It's not the first time the festival has gone international, with hopes that partnerships with talent from across the globe will become a regular feature.

Ian Moir, Fire Station Creative curator, said: "The backbone of Outwith will always be local but over the coming years we want to build the international content if funding allows.

"I’ve been collaborating with a group of artists in northern Spain for some time now and they are keen to be part of the Outwith line-up."

In 2019 William McCarthy, of the Augustine,s flew from New York to play at the Royal British Legion, while musicians and artists from across the UK have also appeared.

Several local organisations will be contributing to a wide range of events, including comic book retailer Little Shop of Heroes, the Kingsgate Shopping Centre, which last year hosted an exhibition of rare flyposters, and Fire Station Creative, where the sold-out Shiski Disco was hosted.

The 2022 event was headlined by Fatherson and Luke La Volpe, and included music performances from Dunfermline's Moonlight Zoo, Kirsten Adamson, Dancing on Tables, and Foreignfox.

George Murray, Chair, said: "Thanks to the funders, Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, EventScotland and Fife Council who have supported the festival over the years.

"Without their support Outwith wouldn’t have gone ahead. We’ve started the fundraising again this year and hope organisations will again support the 2023 event.

"As volunteers ourselves, we’re also really grateful to all the local people and organisations who contribute their time to provide amazing events and venues every year."

Having launched in 2017, Outwith doubled in size in 2018 and 2019 before the pandemic.

Its future was uncertain after the loss of full-time staff at Dunfermline Delivers along with the associated funding, but was revived by the original group of volunteers in 2022.

The festival has received funding from the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, EventScotland, Fife Council and Fife Strategic Events Fund.

Outwith will take place from Wednesday, September 6, until Sunday, September 10, with the all-day music event running on Saturday, September 9.

An early-bird sale for access to all Saturday performances is expected to open in early Spring.