2026/27 Provisional Event Dates!!

This is the Northern version of Autumn Nocturne, our newest national event with a 2023 debut. This year we have decided to do something a bit different: we are holding two events in different places. We are planning to hopefully have these on different weekends, depending on the availability of sites, because we want people to be able to go to both if they wish. They are not limited by where you live, so southerners can still attend this event. However, if it fills up, priority will be given to those who live in the North. Splitting events like this is not new to DFs, as Winter Wonderland was done in the exact same way every year before COVID. There are various reasons why we decided to return to this model as a movement at Althing:

• Autumn Nocturne is always oversubscribed, so split events means a higher capacity.
• Events are often in the South, so this should encourage more Northern participation and strengthen these DF groups.
• Smaller events are more accessible to many neurodivergent people and new DFs.
• Autumn Nocturne is a weekend event, so reduced travel will mean more people will be willing and able to attend.
• It is never a bad idea to try something new! Our Events Rep, Nyx, already has a year of experience to help them facilitate multiple events, so it’s a good time to trial this as a model.

This is the Southern version of Autumn Nocturne, our newest national event with a 2023 debut. This year we have decided to do something a bit different: we are holding two events in different places. We are planning to hopefully have these on different weekends, depending on the availability of sites, because we want people to be able to go to both if they wish. They are not limited by where you live, so southerners can still attend this event. However, if it fills up, priority will be given to those who live in the South. Splitting events like this is not new to DFs, as Winter Wonderland was done in the exact same way every year before COVID. There are various reasons why we decided to return to this model as a movement at Althing:

• Autumn Nocturne is always oversubscribed, so split events means a higher capacity.
• Events are often in the South, so this should encourage more Northern participation and strengthen these DF groups.
• Smaller events are more accessible to many neurodivergent people and new DFs.
• Autumn Nocturne is a weekend event, so reduced travel will mean more people will be willing and able to attend.
• It is never a bad idea to try something new! Our Events Rep, Nyx, already has a year of experience to help them facilitate multiple events, so it’s a good time to trial this as a model.

This is an online Business event (event where we discuss policies, and the direction in which we want the movement to go in the near future). Committee members are expected to come to every business meeting, and non-committee are encouraged to attend. See more about in person business events under Spring Thing.

Winter Wonderland is an indoor event. It is short but jam-packed, and we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another with typical DF chaos.

This in an in person business event (event where we discuss policies, and the direction in which we want the movement to go in the near future). We tend to do two of our Things online and Spring Thing in person. Unfortunately, last year there were no in-person business events. Committee members are expensed to come to business events, and are expected to come as part of their role. For other members of DFs, business events are free if it’s their first time coming to one, or else it is £10. Up to three non-committee members of DFs can be expensed to come to business events, if they can offer valuable and relevant insight at the event- for example, someone from the coord team of the next event, or someone in a non-committee role. Please get in touch if you’d be interested in this.

Scottish Hing is a DF weekend hostel trip, run by the Scots for all DFs, in a beautiful location in the Scottish Highlands. Expect a riveting Highland Games, show off your best dance moves at the ceilidh and maybe a top secret midnight feast full of Scottish delicacies. No Scotland, no party!

Spring Awakening made a return to the national event timetable this year, after being unfortunately cancelled for two years running. It was a great success, and we are very hopeful that it will continue to be a strong event in our calendar. Currently, it is described as our ‘back to basics’ camp, but given the fact that many people are approaching their exam period at the time that Spring Awakening occurs, last year, we decided to have a focus on giving space for exam prep. We booked a site with a hall and WiFi. The programme was more chilled out and time was given for those who needed to study. We hope to continue this focus and chilled-out theme next year, as well as running workshops, for example about managing exam stress.

This is an online business event (event where we discuss policies, and the direction in which we want the movement to go in the near future). Committee members are expected to come to every business meeting, and non-committee are encouraged to attend. See more about in person business events under Spring Thing.

Northern Camp is currently in the early stages of planning, so stay tuned for updates!!

DFs was founded in 1977, making next year our 50th anniversary!! To celebrate this, we are having a special celebration camp. This will be held at Biblins, with the first week being like an ordinary DF summer camp, followed by a weekend-long Kinsfolk camp, which DFs are invited to. The DF Camp is expected to be massive, and will be awesome. We hope to see each and everyone of you there, celebrating our rich history, our present and also our exciting future ahead. The Kinsfolk camp will be focused on a skill share between the two age groups, and will give DFs a chance to relax while the Kinsfolk do all the work for once!

The DF business years starts and ends in September at Althing (DFs’ AGM). It is our main business event of the year, and where we hold elections for the next year’s committee, discuss what we want to see in the next year of DFs, and other business matters. It is the only time of year where we can edit our constitution and can be a tense and exciting time for those who are running for a role. It is named after the world’s oldest parliamentary system- Iceland’s! Come along if you want to help shape the next year of DFs and have your say in how things should run!