MAY

THE END OF THE PIER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Where: Bognor Regis, West Sussex
When: until 3 May
What: High-quality new, low-budget and independent film from all over the world, with a competition as well as talks, seminars and an education programme. Price: various. Tel: 01243 841775, web: www.eotpfilmfestival.com

LOCAL EVENT
CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Cheltenham
When: until 5 May
What: Eartha Kitt, Cleo Laine & John Dankworth, Ruby Turner, Courtney Pine, Bill Frisell and Van Morrison are amongst the big shots unpacking their vans at the13th annual outing of this well-heeled jazz shindig. Younger dudes such as Mr Scruff and Gilles Petersen pop up, too. Plus family breakfast concert and free fringe shows all over town. Price: various. Tel: 01242 227979, web: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com

FUTURESONIC
Where: Bridgewater Hall and various venues, Manchester
When: until 5 May
What: A festival of digital culture and music with its roots in club culture. The 2008 theme is ‘Social Networking’ and within this you’ll find music from Wu-Tang’s RZA, Venetian Snares, Flying Lotus and Chrome Hoof , as well as art and seminars involving one of San Fran’s leading ‘digerati’ Gerd Leonhard, as well as reps from Dopplr and Last.fm. Price: £45 weekend. Web: www.futuresonic.com

HEART OF THE WORLD FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Cambridge
When: 1-11 May
What: World music, film, dance, radio, workshops, family days and more, with artists drawn from everywhere from New York to Tokyo, Lhasa to Havana, London to Dakar, including Buena Vista Social Club and Jose James. Price: various. Web: www.heartoftheworld.co.uk

BUSHY’S ISLE OF MAN BLUES FESTIVAL
Where: Laxey, Isle of Man
When: 2-3 May
What: Happy 10th anniversary to this annual Manx blues fest which this year serves up young bluesman (and official Friend Of Bo Diddley) Hamilton Loomis and veteran guitarist Sherman Robertson (he played on Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’), both Texans, in the headline slots. Plus Papa Georg, Primo Blues Feat. Val Cowell. Lots of local blues musicians, too. Saturday afternoon family festival. Price: £15 per night, adv. Ferry/B&B/festival packages available. Tel: 01624 697027, web: www.bigwheelblues.com

PURAVIDA BANK HOLIDAY WEEKENDER
Where: Thorngrove House, Common Mead Lane,
Gillingham, Dorset
When: 2-5 May
What: Drug-free “conscious clubbing” weekend based at healing centre Osho Leela with two rooms of DJs playing everything from deep house to uplifting trance to reggae and dancehall till 4am, plus meditations, sessions and non-specific chilling. See also 3-6 July and 6-10 August. Price: £104 w/e, two-day tickets. Tel: 01747 821221, web: www.puravida.uk.com

GUERNSEY LIVE
Where: Guernsey, Channel Islands
When: 3-4 May
What: Editors, Coldcut and Simian Mobile Disco perform on a main stage and sound system imported from Reading and Leeds at this new Channel Islands fest, the sister event of Jersey Live (see 30-31 Aug). Dance tent, too. Price: £65, adult w/e, day tickets. Web: www.guernseylive.org.uk

BRIGHTON FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Brighton
When: 3-25 May
What: The biggest mixed arts festival in England, now in its 42nd year and featuring no less than 12 premieres, 9 exclusives and 30 free events across the city. All genres of music, plus theatre, dance and literature, with Ballet National de Marseille, Miriam Makeba, Daughters Of Albion, Tokyo String Quartet, Mike Leigh, Neil Tennant, Hanif Kureishi, Alex James, Gore Vidal, Jarvis Cocker and Alan Johnston all making the trip to the south coast. Funky fringe stuff happening simultaneously, too, and children’s four-day literary mini-fest ‘26 Letters’. Price: various. Tel: 01273 709709, web: www.brightonfestival.org

LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL FESTIVAL OF IDEAS
Where: Various venues, Bristol
When: 3-29 May
What: Fourth outing for this brain-exercising event addressing issues including schisms in the Christian Church, the impact of globalisation, science today, fair trade and the transition to a greener society, changing America, 1968, the media and truth, and what the world would be like without human beings. Top thinkers like Naomi Klein, Simon Singh, Gerry Anderson and Jon Ronson help. Price: various. Web: www.ideasfestival.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE
Where: Various venues, Swindon
When: 5-18 May
What: Festival frolics begin in traditional Mayday style at 5.30am on a hill overlooking the city where early birds gather for poetry, song, storytelling, dance and hot breakfasts. Late risers, fear not: the subsequent 13 days contain such literary treats as Marina Lewycka, Ben Okri, AC Grayling and Andrew Motion. Price: various. Tel: 01793 771080, web: www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk

MALVERN SPRING GARDENING SHOW
Where: Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcs
When: 8-11 May
What: Over 30 acres of green-fingered loveliness at the foot of the Malvern Hills. The first of the great national RHS Flower Shows, it attracts over 100,000 visitors from across Britain clamouring to see sleb gardeners - this year including James Alexander-Sinclair, Joe Swift and Chris Beardshaw. Plus the RHS Floral Marquee, floral art displays, specialist food and drink hall, organic gardening corner and shopping opps (‘plant crèche’ is available). Kids’ stuff, too. Price: various, under-16s free. Tel: 01684 584900, web: www.threecounties.co.uk

ALL TOMORROW’S PARTIES VERSUS PITCHFORK
Where: Camber Sands Holiday Park, East Sussex
When: 9-11 May
What: In which the chalet-based, esoteric alternofest people co-curate with influential US ezine Pitchfork to produce a hyper-cool weekend of alterno sounds including those of Fuck Buttons (of whom the name is just one very fantastic element), Ween, Sebadoh, Hot Chip, The Hold Steady and Los Campesinos. Be sure to pack your vintage National Health spectacles. Price: sold out. Ffi: www.atpfestival.com

FOLK ON THE PIER
Where: Cromer Pier, Cromer, Norfolk
When: 9-11 May
What: Acoustic roots and mainstream electric acts, including Show Of Hands, Shooglenifty, Whapweasel and many more, gather for “the best gig on the North Sea”. Price: c£60, concs, day tickets. Tel: 01263 512495, web: www.folkonthepier.co.uk

HOLMFIRTH FESTIVAL OF FOLK
Where: Holmfirth, Huddersfield
When: 9-11 May
What: Community folk festival, much of which is free. Quicksilver, Treebeard, Mike Silver & Johnny Coppin, Nick Harper, John Cooper Clarke and the Family Mahone hold up the music end, and there are plenty of dances, ceilidhs, singarounds, sessions and workshops. Poet Simon Armitage, too. Price: various, mostly free. Tel: 07841 646308, web: www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk

SOUTHPORT WEEKENDER 42
Where: Pontins Holiday Camp, Southport, Merseyside
When: 9-11 May
What: Starting 21 years ago as a soul music weekender, Southport is now a hub of all ‘black’ music and attracts 5,000 revellers twice a year (see also 7-9 Nov). Expect soul, R&B, soulful house, rare groove and jazz from cratediggers Joey Negro, Carl Craig, Gilles Petersen, Norman Jay and many more, plus live acts tbc. Cancellations only on the chalet front (join waiting list online). Price: £150. Tel: 0870 990 1987, web: www.southportweekender.co.uk

ST NEOTS FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: The Priory Centre, St Neots, Cambs
When: 9-11 May
What: Small, specialist folk festival now in its 26th year and including appearances from Martin Simpson, Suntrap, Paul Cherrington & Pamela Ward, The Hosepipe Band, Mary Panton, Tom Bliss and loads of dance sides. Also, music and song sessions, a real ale bar and food. Price: £35 w/e, day tickets, camping nearby. Tel: 01234 376278, web: uk.geocities.com/stneotsfolkclub

RADIO ONE’S BIG WEEKEND
Where: Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent
When: 10-11 May
What: The biggest free ticketed event in Europe. 20,000 tickets available for each day - see website for info on how to apply. Priority to those living in Maidstone, Kent and the surrounding areas. Expect major names from the pop and rock worlds appearing on the main stage, more esoteric stuff on the In New Music We Trust stage, and a dance tent. Price: free. Web: www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/

LOCAL EVENT
SOUTHBANK BRISTOL ARTS WEEK
Where: Southville, Ashton & Bedminster, Bristol
When: 10-11 May
What: A weekend of arts and performance in homes, churches, community centres and public houses around Southville, Bedminster and Ashton. Venues will be open 11am-6pm, welcoming the public to take in work from local artists, performers, musicians and other creative sorts. Price: free (small donation for some performance events). Web: www.sbaweb.co.uk

NEWBURY INTERNATIONAL SPRING FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Newbury, Berkshire
When: 10-24 May
What: 2008 marks the 30th anniversary of this annual classical fest. After last year’s English theme, this year welcomes artists from around the globe including Dame Gillian Weir, Li-Wei, the Russian State Symphony Orchestra, Natalie Clein), plus jazz from Clare Teal and Claire Martin, and Giffords Circus. NB: Newbury Fringe Festival takes place in Victoria Park, 24-26 May. Price: various. Tel: 01635 32421, web: www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk

TREDEGAR HOUSE FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: Tredegar House, Newport, South Wales
When: 11-13 May
What: International dance teams flock to this event which was originally set up to celebrate traditional dance styles in the SE Wales area. Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, Mick Ryan & Pete Harris head the musical line-up. Ceilidhs, music and song sessions, too. Price: c£25 w/e, individual event tickets. Tel: 01633 246241, web: www.tredegarhousefolk.ik.com

THE GREAT ESCAPE
Where: Various venues, Brighton
When: 15-17 May
What: “200 bands, 25 venues, three days,” boasts the UK’s answer to South By South West. Launched in 2006, it has already earned a reputation as a place for fans and industry pros alike to spot new talent. This year you can join A&Rs craning their necks at indie folks like The Futureheads, Crystal Castles, Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong, The Ting Tings, Kid Harpoon and Laura Marling. A wristband gets you into all of ’em. Industry talks, panel debates and celebrity interviews for industry delegates, too. Price: £45. Ffi: www.escapegreat.com

ALL TOMORROW’S PARTIES CURATED BY EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY
Where: Butlins Holiday Centre, Minehead
When: 16-18 May
What: Second fest of the year for ATP, who this time hand over the chequebook to curators Explosions In The Sky. They’ve booked Broken Social Scene, Iron And Wine, Dinosaur Jnr, And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead and Adem, plus others who do That Sort Of Thing. Price: sold out. Ffi: www.atpfestival.com

WHEATON ASTON FESTIVAL
Where: Wheaton Aston, Staffs
When: 16-18 May
What: Small, warm, friendly village do. As well as concerts from such folksy types as Maire Ni Chathasaigh & Chris Newman, Tom Doughty and Three Daft Monkeys, there’s workshops, ceilidh, sessions, street theatre and dance, children’s activities, a craft fair, art trail, food and a campsite. Price: £37 adult w/e, day tickets. Tel: 01785 840010, web: www.wheatonastonfestival.supanet.com/

WOOD
Where: Braziers Park, Oxford
When: 16-18 May
What: Treehuggers of the world unite for this new festie celebrating music and nature from the people behind the Truck Festival (see 19-20 July). Music on two stages from Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly., Ashley Hutchings’ King Creosote, Devon Sproule and more, plus workshops in everything from sculpture to storytelling. Price: £45 adult w/e. Web: www.thisistruck.com

BURNS AN’ A’ THAT! FESTIVAL
Where: Culzean Castle & Country Park, Ayrshire, Scotland
When: 17-25 May
What: Robert Burns-inspired ‘celebration of life and contemporary Scottish culture’ which has, in the past, drawn Pete Doherty, Lou Reed and Idlewild. This year’s line-up tbc apart from Status Quo who will be rocking the racecourse. Theatre, comedy and a fishing competition, too. Price: various. Tel: 01292 612477, web: www.burnsfestival.com

GLYNDEBOURNE
Where: Glyndebourne, nr Lewes, East Sussex
When: 18 May-31 Aug
What: Black-tie opera festival for which tickets sell out about as fast as Glastonbury’s do. This year’s premiere league performances: ‘Carmen’, ‘Hansel Und Gretel’, ‘Love And Other Demons’, ‘Eugene Onegin’, ‘Albert Herring’ and ‘Incoronazione di Poppea’. Price: various. Tel: 01273 815000, web: www.glyndebourne.com

CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Where: Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London
When: 20-24 May
What: Most important date in the gardener’s calendar, drawing 157k green-fingered types every year. Take in 50 specially designed gardens by the likes of Diarmuid Gavin and Arabella Lennox-Boyd plus over 100 exhibitors from across the world presenting everything from strawberries to succulents. And spades more. Price: various, advance tickets only, no sales on gate. Tel: 0870 906 3781, web: www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea

LOCAL EVENT
BATH INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Bath
When: 21 May-7 June
What: The free opening night party takes place in the city centre again this year, beginning with the children’s procession at 6.30pm and including live music in various city centre venues and street performers en route. For the two-week festival itself, artistic director and pianist Joanna McGregor leads the crème de la crème of classical, opera, jazz, folk, world, electronica and multimedia talent, with the likes of Sir Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra, the Armonico Consort in ‘The Marriage Of Figaro’, The Great Voices Of Bulgaria, Jason Moran Big Band, a Messiaen Centenary Celebration in the Abbey and Nils Petter Molvær and Mira Calix in a five-hour electronica jamboree. Three concerts aimed at youngsters, too. Price: various. Tel: 01225 463362, web: www.bathmusicfest.org.uk

LOCAL EVENT
DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues in Bristol, London & Nottingham
When: 22, 24 & 25 May
What: An indie bender running on three different days in three different cities. Choose between Bristol, London and Nottingham, buy a wristband and drop in on up-and-coming bands like The Holloways, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly., Dirty Pretty Things and Royworld in a variety of city centre venues throughout the day and into the early hours. Price: £30 w/e. Tel: 0871 310 0000, web: www.dottodotfestival.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
TEWKESBURY SPRING FESTIVAL: AWAKEN YOUR SENSES
Where: Various venues, Tewkesbury, Glos
When: 22-24 May
What: Mixed arts festival featuring art exhibitions, harpsichordist Warwick Cole, jazz singer Cate Cody, a production of the ballet ‘Romeo And Juliet’, the Duruflé requiem in the Abbey, folkster Kathryn Tickell, a concert of local musicians to raise money for Tewkesbury Flood Relief and heaps more. Price: various. Tel: 01684 295 074, web: www.awakenyoursenses.org

KNOCKENGORROCH WORLD CEILIDH
Where: Knockengorroch Farm, nr Carsphairn, Scotland
When: 22-25 May
What: Capercaillie, Peatbog Faeries, Lo’Jo, Zion Train, Dreadzone and many others turn up on the two stages of the world/roots festival formerly known as Ceilidh Gall Gallowa and now in its 20th year. Plus sessions, fire show, cabaret, ceilidh, open mic, children’s marquee, puppets, workshops, storytelling, healing area, Celtic longhouse, stunning hillscapes, global shopping and real ales. Price: £55 adult w/e, concs. Tel: 01644 460662, web: www.knockengorroch.org.uk

ORKNEY FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Orkney, Scotland
When: 22-25 May
What: Concerts, ceilidhs, dances, sessions and more at this island-hopping shindig of homegrown and international folk talent, which this year plays host to the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. Solas and Crooked Still fly over from America to join local acts. Price: various. Tel: 01856 852929, web: www.orkneyfolkfestival.com

HAY FESTIVAL
Where: Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Mid-Wales
When: 22 May-1 June
What: The country’s trendiest literary festival always brings in the big guns of the book world, so expect all the top novelists, poets, thinkers and writing slebs (Salman Rushdie, Gore Vidal, Alan Bennett, Ian McEwan, Jeremy Clarkson, the list goes on), as well as music, comedy and lots of vino-drenched literary orgies. Bill Clinton called it the “Woodstock of the mind”, the aphorism-spouting rascal. Price: various. Tel: 0870 990 1299, web: www.hayfestival.com

OFF THE TRACKS SPRING FESTIVAL
Where: Donington Park Farmhouse, Isley, Walton, Derbyshire
When: 23-25 May
What: Hippietastic fusion fest at which Banco De Gaia are as permanent a fixture as the real ale tent. Transglobal Underground play too, and there are complementary therapies, sessions, stalls and a children’s area. As it’s a permanent campsite, the bogs and showers are better than average, and you can always check into the luxury on-site hotel if you disagree. See also 29-31 Aug. Price: £50 adult w/e adv, day tickets, concs. Tel: 07899 826955, web: www.offthetracks.co.uk

STRUMMERCAMP
Where: Macclesfield Rugby Club, Macclesfield
When: 23-25 May
What: Charity event organised by ‘amigos’ and fans of the late Joe Strummer, with performances from Dreadzone, The Beat, Sonic Boom Six and more. There’s also Joy Division tribute Transmission and a performance of the new play ‘Meeting Joe Strummer’. All under cover in a new venue. Price: £59.50 adult w/e, day tickets. Web: www.strummercamp.co.uk

BLACK HORSE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where: The Black Horse, Telham, nr Battle, East Sussex
When: 23-26 May
What: Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, this blues/folk/Celtic/world/jazz/soul/rock festival is based in a marquee at the back of a pub. This year it’s snaffled performances from Glenn Tilbrook & The Fluffers, John Otway and R Cajun & The Zydeco Bros, amongst others. Plus workshops and sessions. New for 2008: bigger undercover area, new sound and light system, better bar and food facilities, extra workshops and more family entertainment in the afternoons and the most exciting line-up yet. Camping nearby. Price: £39 adult w/e adv (limited availability), day tickets, eve tickets. Tel: 01424 729982, web: www.blackhorsefestival.org.uk

CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: Kelsall, nr Chester
When: 23-26 May
What: The brainchild of a group of local folk nuts, this annual bank holiday fixture based around the aptly-named Morris Dancer pub features heaps of folk legends young and old (Tanglefoot, John Spiers & Jon Boden, Chris While & Julie Matthews and more) as well as comedy and workshops. Price: £50 w/e, concs, day and eve tickets. Tel: 07005 977045, web: www.chesterfolk.org.uk

RUN TO THE SUN
Where: Trevelgue Holiday Park, Newquay, Cornwall
When: 23-26 May
What: Top DJs (inc Fedde Le Grand and Boy George), live bands, comedians, beer garden and white-knuckle rides plus a whole load of V-Dubs, starting with an eight-kilometre convoy from Reading services on the M4. Polish up your baby for the massive Show ‘n’ Shine on Sun. Price: £81 adult plus camping, single-night tickets, caravan & chalet accommodation available. Tel: 01637 851851, web: www.runtothesun.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
BATH FRINGE FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Bath
When: 23 May-8 June
What Totally the weekend to get your out-of-town friends down, this is a festival of all the arts you can think of (and some which don’t have names yet) in venues, parks, streets, pubs, houses and stranger places yet (like a glorious antique Spiegeltent). Artists international to local, famous and not-famous-yet (an unknown Jamie Cullum played here four years ago) for audiences of all ages. Check Venue for comprehensive listings nearer the time. Price: various, mostly free. Tel: 01225 463362, email: admin@bathfringe.co.uk, web: www.bathfringe.co.uk

SALISBURY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues in and around Salisbury, Wilts
When: 23 May-8 June
What: Over 100 concerts, plays and exhibitions including world premieres, special one-off exclusives and festival commissions. African culture features heavily with performances from kora player N’Faly Kouyaté, dance group The Lions Of Zululand and a talk by Desmond Tutu. Laurie Anderson also gives an intimate show, and there are plenty of highbrow classical, theatre, walks, workshops, films, books and art events. Price: various. Tel: 01722 332977, web: www.salisburyfestival.co.uk

GATECRASHER SUMMER SOUND SYSTEM
Where: Lotherton Hall, Aberford, Leeds
When: 24-25 May
What: Acieeed survivors Gatecrasher get back in the saddle for a whole weekend after last year’s one-day return to festival-land, with live sets from The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, CSS and Soulwax Niteversions, as well as cratediggers like Paul Oakenfold and Paul Van Dyk. As well as the music (everything from hardcore to drum & bass to disco), there’s a 24-hour market place, an onsite online diary room, lockers, cash machines, massages and karaoke. Price: £115 adult w/e. Web: www.gatecrasher.com

IREBY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where: Ireby, Cumbria
When: 25-26 May
What: Situated in a village on the north-western perimeter of the Lake District National Park, with concerts from the likes of Vin Garbutt, The Coal Porters, Julie Felix, The Wailin’ Jennies and more, plus sessions, cream teas, open mics, street entertainment and children’s performances. Price: £25 adult w/e, day tickets. Ffi: www.musicinireby.co.uk

GLASTONBUDGET
Where: Turnpost Farm, Wymeswold, Leics
When: 25-27 May
What: Europe’s largest and best tribute music festival not only has a laudable lack of pretension but also an impressive rainbow of talented covers bands like Ded Hot Chili Peppers (“Their singer may not be as slick and versatile a singer as Kiedis, but he imitates his physical and charismatic performance to near-perfection”) and Letz Zep (“a completely convincing recreation of Led Zeppelin in their prime”). Second stage for unsigned East Midlands hopefuls. The real Bad Manners headline. Price: £47.50 w/e inc camping. Tel: 0116 269 8807, web: www.glastonbudget.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
CHIPPENHAM FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: Chippenham town centre, Wilts
When: 25-28 May
What: Four days of folk song, dance and music by the riverside at this village-y knees-up now in its 37th year. Over 200 events to choose from, encompassing dance, music, singing, workshops, ceilidhs, etc - including concerts by Solas, Kerr Fagan Harbron, Tanglefoot, GraceNotes, Jeff Warner, Mawkin Casuely, Cloudstreet, Rubus and Craig Morgan Robso - plus crafts, sessions and plenty of youth/children’s events. Price: £63 w/e, concs, camping. Tel: 01249 657190, web: www.chippfolk.co.uk

EVOLUTION
Where: Spillers Wharf & Baltic Square, Newcastle
When: 26 May
What: Amazing value one-dayer, across two stages set on the NewcastleGateshead Quayside, and featuring acts like Kate Nash, The Streets, Duffy, Reverend & The Makers, CSS, New Young Pony Club, Does It Offend You, Yeah? and more. Former EMI CEO Tony Wadsworth leads a seminar on the decline of record labels. Various free educational seminars/workshops. Price: £3. Web: www.evolutionfestival.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
ROYAL BATH & WEST SHOW
Where: Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
When: 28-31 May
What: The South West’s biggest and best agricultural show, showcasing all aspects of farming and rural life. Fashion show hosted by Clarks Village, best-dressed couple competition (prize being a helicopter trip to Ston Easton Park Hotel for dinner, bed and breakfast), a chance to meet Star Wars’s Chewbacca (aka Peter Mayhew), stunt carriage driving, dog shows, 4x4 course, solar-powered vehicles, show jumping, livestock, poultry, bees and honey, steam engines, falconry and classic cars, floral marquee, canoeing, mini railway, sheep shearing, horse shoeing. Meet you in the giant cheese pavilion! Price: £16 adv adult, kids go free with adv adult ticket bookings. Tel: 01749 822222, web: www.bathandwest.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
SUNRISE CELEBRATION
Where: Bearley Farm, nr Yeovil, South Somerset
When: 29 May-1 June
What: “A journey through ancient wisdom, modern innovations, creativity, community and celebration” and the winner of The Shelter Award For Most Socially Responsible Festival in the UK Festival Awards in 2006, this sustainable (compost loos, solar power, bio-diesel etc), 10k-capacity fest this year hosts The Beat, The Orb, System 7, The Dub Pistols etc across 12 stages. Dedicated children’s area with everything from crayoning to MC lessons. Price: £88 adult w/e. Tel: 0845 108 0259 or 0845 009 6347, web: www.sunrisecelebration.com

LOCAL EVENT
THE BRISTOL VEGAN FAYRE 2008
Where: The Ampitheatre and Waterfront Square, Bristol
When: 31 May-1 June
What: Two music stages (starring Misty in Roots, Dreadzone, Smith and Willox and Babyhead) at this sixth annual meat-free fiesta. Kids’ area, too, with magic shows, face painting and a ‘UV underwater interactive den’ (Sat only). Plenty of talks and demonstrations on the vegan lifestyle. Leave your Pepperamis at home. Ffi: www.bristolveganfayre.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
WYCHWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where: Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Glos
When: 30 May-1 June
What: Less world music-dominated now than when it was conceived half a decade ago, this West Country weekender with ancient roots boasts sets from The Divine Comedy, The Proclaimers, Imagined Village (folk supergroup inc Billy Bragg) and Duffy, as well as performance from poet John Hegley, comedy from Sean Lock, Jeff Green and the ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ lot, cinema, workshops and kids’ ents including a special toddlers’ area, lending library and activities from the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre. Price: £100 adult w/e, day tickets. Tel: 01993 772580, web www.wychwoodfestival.com

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