AUGUST

FIELD DAY
Where: Victoria Park, London
When: 1 Aug
What: In which the heart of East London becomes an ironic village green for the day. One day, 5,000 people and acts including Mogwai, Four Tet, James Yorkston, Juana Molina, Little Boots, Malcolm Middleton, Mystery Jets, Santigold, The Horrors, Toumani Diabate and other cultish sorts. Plus coconut shy, sack racing, Splat The Rat, Bowling For Bacon, tombola and lots of home-made cake and hay bales. Price: £29.50. Web: www.fielddayfestivals.com

LOCAL EVENT
JOOLS HOLLAND
Where: Dyrham Park, nr Bath
When: 1 Aug
What: Piano maestro brings special guests and a 17-piece orchestra for a night of cool boogie-woogie. Take a picnic. Price: £32.50 adult. Web: www.imiconcerts.co.uk

LEOPALLOOZA FESTIVAL
Where: The Wyldes, Bude, Cornwall
When: 1 Aug
What: Small non-corporate music festival – or “house party in a field” – hosting up-and-coming bands such as Baddies, Sam Isaac and The Xcerts. Price: £20. Tel: 07970 962805, web: www.leopallooza.com

SONISPHERE
Where: Knebworth House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire
When: 1-2 Aug
What: Metallica, Linkin Park, Nine Inch Nails, Alice In Chains, Thin Lizzy and Feeder are among the headliners at this brand-new mosh which tours Europe before landing with a crash in Knebworth. Price: £157.50 adult w/e camping. Web: www.sonispherefestivals.com

ALNWICK INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where: Alnwick, Northumberland
When: 1-8 Aug
What: Traditional music and dance from around the world, including the odd big name, in a stunning town once voted ‘The Best Place in Britain to Live’. Free events in the market square, as well as the paid-for shows in the Playhouse Theatre come eventide. Also ceilidhs, barn dances and all the usual other folk staples. Price: various, many free. Tel: 01665 510665, web: www.alnwickfestival.com

EISTEDDFOD GENEDLATHOL CYMRU (NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES)
Where: Rhiwlas Estate, Bala, North Wales
When: 1-8 Aug
What: Major annual celebration of Welsh culture and heritage that attracts around 160,000 visitors annually and alternates between North and South Wales. Concerts, ceremonies, competitions, theatre, arts and crafts, literature, science and technology, comedy, parties and more for all ages. Highlights this year include a concert from ‘Last Choir Standing’ stars Only Men Aloud and Ysgol Glanaethwy alongside ‘X Factor’’s Rhydian Roberts. Price: various. Tel: 0845 122 2003, web: www.eisteddfod.org.uk

UNDERAGE FESTIVAL
Where: Victoria Park, Hackney, London
When: 2 Aug
What: Ten thousand teenagers without their parents! Booze-free, music-savvy event for 14- to 18-year-olds, launched last year and run by London’s famous Underage club. Pigeon Detectives, Santigold (formerly Santogold – oh, do keep up grandma!), Ladyhawke, The Horrors and Little Boots and many more do their stuff. Parents, check website for safety assurances. No oldsters allowed on site! Price: £26.50. Web: www.underagefestivals.com

GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL
Where: Earls Court, London
When: 4-8 Aug
What: Britain’s biggest beer festival bringing together at least 450 beers available throughout the festival including golden ales, fruit beers, stouts, bitters and some international real lagers. Cider and perry, too. Traditional pub games, live music, food and tutored beer tastings, too (book early). Price: £8 adult adv per day, £10 on gate. Tel: 01727 867201, web: www.camra.org.uk

RIP CURL BOARDMASTERS
Where: Fistral Beach & Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall
When: 5-9 Aug
What: Five days of adrenaline including pro-level surfing, skateboarding and BMX comps, trade village and, erm, bikini comps (all at Fistral Beach), topped off with chart-smashing acts like The Streets, Cypress Hill, Calvin Harris, Roots Manuva and The King Blues (a shuttle bus ride away at Watergate Bay). Don’t forget your Jack Wills hoodie. No camping at festival, but plenty of campsites nearby. Price: £89 five-day adult, day tickets. Tel: 0208 789 6655; web: www.ripcurlboardmasters.com

THE BIG CHILL
Where: Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Malvern Hills, Herefordshire
When: 6-9 Aug
What: The original boutique festival (and, to many, still the best), ploughing its fragrant furrow back in the days when your only choices where Reading, Glasto and Camberwick Green Folk & Cheese Rolling Week. This year Basement Jaxx, Calexico, Spiritualized, David Byrne, Ludovico Einaudi and British Sea Power join veteran Chillers DJ Derek and Norman Jay, along with comedians Craig Campbell and Dylan Moran and hosts of other dudes for a family-friendly, ridiculously laid-back, village fête-cum-Woodstock event set, as ever, around a lake in the grounds of a castle. Price: £145 adult w/e. Web: www.bigchill.net

LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA
Where: Ashton Court Estate, Bristol
When: 6-9 Aug
What: Fiesta director Susan Tanner was awarded the ‘Event Organiser of the Year’ gong by fellow industry professionals last year – an indicator of the size and scope of this jewel in the Bristol calendar. One of the largest outdoor events in the country, it is four days devoted to hot-air balloons of all wacky shapes and sizes. Take in a ‘mass launch’ (Fri-Sun 6am & 6pm) of over 100 balloons, two wondrous twilight night glows (Thur & Sat 9.30 pm) with fireworks, plus a wealth of family entertainment all day, from daredevil stunts to stalls and funfairs and a major gig – top pop artists tbc, but previous years have produced the likes of Busted and Girls Aloud. NB: try to time your visit around one of the mass launches or the Night Glows otherwise you could spend two hours here and not see a single balloon, as Venue once discovered. Price: free. Tel: 0117 953 5884, web: www.bristolfiesta.co.uk

BULLDOG BASH
Where: Shakespeare County Raceway, nr Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire
When: 6-9 Aug
What: Topless bike wash, anyone? Sign up here. We’ll never know what The Bard might have made of this leathery biking convention on his doorstep – maybe he’ll have worked the dragstrip, Custom Bike Show, stunt displays, wrestling, Wall Of Death DJs and live bands (confirmed so far: tribute acts Stingchronicity (The Police) and Hells Bells (AC/DC), as well as UFO, Never the Bride and Dogs D’Amour) into a comedy. Or maybe not. Price: £50 adult w/e. Web: www.bulldogbash.eu

THE CAMBRIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL
Where: Haggis Farm Polo Club, Barton, Cambridgeshire
When: 6-9 Aug
What: Another new site for this classic rock/rhythm & blues long weekend once known as the Rockinbeerfest. Vanloads of grizzly guitar talent such as Barclay James Harvest, Jefferson Starship, Quireboys, Asia and Mostly Autumn all appear. Price: £69 adult w/e before 31 May, £85 before 31 Aug, £89 after, day tickets, concs. Tel: 01353 749749, web: cambridgerockfestival.co.uk

TARTAN HEART
Where: Belladrum Estate, Invernesshire, Scotland
When: 7-8 Aug
What: Two days of rock/country/blues/world/Celtic music within a romantic stately home garden setting. Editors, Ocean Colour Scene, The Saw Doctors, British Sea Power and Shed Seven are among those doing the honours this year, alongside unsigned acts, theatre, cabaret, art, alternative therapies, stalls and amusements for children, opening night ceilidh and closing night masked ball. New for 2009: the Verb Garden, a place for poetry, comedy, debate and performance; and an organic mart. Price: £80 adult w/e incl camping, day tickets. Tel: 01463 741366, web: www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
BOOMTOWN FAIR
Where: A field near Bristol
When: 7-9 Aug
What: From the crew that brought you last year’s Rehydrate the West, another three days of fun, with acts including Babylon Circus, Chaz ‘n’ Dave, Babyhead, Sonic Boom Six, Zion Train, Zen Hussies, Los Albertos, Asbo Disco and much much more. Price: £45 (eager beaver). Web: www.boomtownfair.com

DARTMOOR FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: South Zeal, nr Okehampton, Devon
When: 7-9 Aug
What: “Yer tiz again – zongs, music and danzin’ from dear ole Dart-i-moor! Welcum to this gurt weekend, ‘ope twill run proper zuent! Proper job.” So said festie founder and local musician Bob Cann back in the ’70s and, frankly, we couldn’t have put it better ourselves. Top national and local artists, ceilidh, sessions, step- and broomdance championships, crafts, dances, Sunday ramble, children’s entertainers and much more. Plus our favourite homepage music of all this year’s festival websites. Price: £40 adult w/e, concs, day tickets. Tel: 01837 840102, web: www.dartmoorfolkfestival.co.uk

ENDORSE-IT-IN-DORSET
Where: Cranborne Chase, Dorset
When: 7-9 Aug
What: The sixth annual EIID knees-up in the Dorset countryside features a smaller (ie more intimate capacity) and cheaper tickets this year, ensuring even more of the deliciously crusty, dirty-kneed magic that has made it a firm favourite among those seeking a proper festival (ie cider not spritzers, and the constant promise of a visit from Plod). Created by – and starring - hillbilly rockers Proghorn it also welcomes Pama International, Dreadzone, Zion Train and Sham 69. Plus comedy, theatre, kids’ area run by Panic Circus, Scrumpy Sunday, and Ladies Day. Price: £68 adult w/e, concs. Web: www.lgofestivals.com

LOCAL EVENT
GLASTONBURY CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
Where: Abbey Park Playground, Glastonbury
When: 7-9 Aug tbc
What: Fingers crossed for the future of this children’s nirvana which suffered from rain-related financial troubles last year and has subsequently cancelled its Bristol leg. If it goes ahead, expect around 20 live performances, juggling and circus skills workshops, badge making, face painting, giant ‘monster ball’ and inflatables, giant inflatable slide, ball pool, clay workshops, daily Grand Parade and Talent Show. Pay once and enjoy everything free once you’re in. Price: tbc. Web: www.childrensworldcharity.org/festivals/festivals.php

BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK
Where: Broadstairs, Kent
When: 7-14 Aug
What: Sandy old-time seaside resort sees its pubs, cafes and restaurants (plus a marquee and the Pavilion) overrun by fiddlers, a capella singers and men with big sticks. This year’s impressive bill includes The Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain, The Hot Club Of Cowtown, Eric Bogle & John Munro, Devon Sproule and Spiers & Boden. Price: £189 adult/full week with camping, concs, day tickets. Tel: 01843 604080, web: www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk

EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE
Where: Various venues, Edinburgh
When: 7-31 Aug
What: The biggest arts festival in the world. Something for everyone: theatre, comedy, music, dance, exhibitions and much more, from hilarious student idiots to international superstars. Line-up announced 11 June. Book tickets and accommodation as early as possible. Price: various, some free. Tel: 0131 226 0000, web: www.edfringe.com

LOCAL EVENT
GLASTONBURY ABBEY EXTRAVAGANZA
Where: Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury
When: 8-9 Aug
What: Michael Eavis’s other festival – and one that definitely don’t need no 12-foot steel security fence, on account of it being generally unbothered by lagered-up yobbos. Choose from two evening concerts in the shadow of the stunning abbey, headlined by Status Quo (Sat) and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Myleene Klass (Sun). Price: £30 per event adv, £35 gate. Tel: 01458 834596, web: www.glastonburyextravaganza.com

FAIRPORT’S CROPREDY CONVENTION
Where: Cropredy, nr Banbury, Oxfordshire
When: 13-15 Aug
What: Friendly annual ‘reunion’ festival run by folk legends Fairport Convention (nowadays comprising Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg, Ric Sanders, Chris Leslie and Gerry Conway) who headline the Sat night, this year supported by Ralph McTell, Nik Kershaw (he really didn’t let the sun go down on him!) and Dreadzone. You also get Richard Thompson and Seth Lakeman (Fri), and Steve Winwood and Buzzcocks (Thur). Price: £78 adult w/e. Web: www.fairportconvention.com

LOCAL EVENT
SQUARE SESSIONS
Where: Queen Square, Bristol
When: 14 & 21 Aug
What: Head to Queen Square after work for a lazy summer evening of home-grown musical talent from jazz-funk to soul to singer-songwriters. Food and drink available 5-9pm. Price: free. Email: events.team@bristol.gov.uk

LOCAL EVENT
BLOOM FESTIVAL
Where: West Littleton Down, South
Gloucestershire
When: 14-16 Aug
What: Yet another new site for the hip, youthful, 8,000-capacity boutique dance fest which last year had to scale down its amenities due to low ticket sales but this year has taken its loyal attendees’ advice on board and promises a bigger, better, more family-friendly experience. Expect artists such as Altern8, Chase & Status, Noah &The Whale, Barbieshop and Tom Middleton as well as a dedicated kids’ zone, alternative therapies area The Vegetable Patch, live graffiti tag, market and more. Price: £75 adult w/e. Web: www.bloomfestival.com

CROISSANT NEUF SUMMER PARTY
Where: Usk, Wales
When: 14-16 Aug
What: Third full fest from a team of greenies who started off selling coffee and croissants at folk festivals over 20 years ago. This furtively hidden bash features sets from The Travelling Band, Ella Edmondson, King Size Five,
Wartime Band,
The Boat Band, Chris Jagger and many more. Plus film tent, campfire, ‘choc-tails’, People’s Front Room, organic food, local beers and wines, workshops, games and plenty for the ankle-biters. All electricity generated by sun and wind, and three trees will be planted to offset each car. New for 2009: chill-out dome. Price: £80 adult w/e, under 6s free. Web: www.partyneuf.co.uk

SALTBURN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF FOLK MUSIC, DANCE & SONG
Where: Various venues, Saltburn, North Yorkshire
When: 14-16 Aug
What: Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies, Chris While & Julie Matthews, Vin Garbutt and Johnny Silvo join the bill at this seaside-based folk calendar stalwart. Plus ceilidhs, singarounds, dance displays, markets, indoor crafts and competitions. Price: £48 adult w/e before 1 June, £54 after, under-10s free. Tel: 01287 622623, web: www.saltburnfolkfestival.ukforum.com/index.htm

SUMMER SUNDAE WEEKENDER
Where: De Montfort Hall & Gardens, Leicester
When: 14-16 Aug
What: Nice size and friendly mood at this unpretentious Leicester-based lash-up which began life in 2001 as a humble one-day, two-stage event and has rapidly grown into a three-day spectacular. This year sees the likes of The Streets (Fri), The Charlatans, Saint Etienne and The Noisettes (Sat), The Zutons and Bon Iver (Sun) and many more besides. Plus designated children’s area. Terrific value and family-friendly fun. Price: £109 adult w/e incl camping, under-5s free, day tickets. Tel: 0116 233 3111, web: www.summersundae.com

BLOODSTOCK (OPEN AIR)
Where: Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire
When: 14-16 Aug
What: Black, death, goth, power, prog, metal, industrial, thrash or plain heavy - whatever your metal preference, it’s doubtless covered by this noisy event with a heart (it’s renamed its third stage The Sophie Lancaster Stage in memory of the metal fan battered to death by thugs in 2007). This year’s acts include Europe (yes, that Europe), Carcass, Arch Enemy, Blind Guardian, Cradle Of Filth, Saxon and Pythia. Plus metal karaoke (email a request via the site)! Price: £99.95 adult w/e, day tickets. Tel: 01332 666 370, web: www.bloodstock.uk.com

WOOLFIRE FESTIVAL
Where: Woodmancott, nr Winchester, Hampshire
When: 14-16 Aug
What: A weekend of underground sounds from across the musical spectrum. From dubstep DJs to cutting edge indie bands, folk troupes to electronic soundscapes and lots more besides – or just relax by the campfire. Price: £32 adult w/e (Earlybird prices). Web: www.woolfire.com

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Edinburgh
When: 14 Aug-6 Sept
What: A slightly later slot this year for your annual helping of top-drawer opera, classical, theatre and dance performances. This year’s theme is The Scottish Enlightenment and highlights include a Romanian production of ‘Faust’, a series of Brian Friel plays from Dublin’s Gate Theatre, recitals by Bryn Terfel and Willard White, a première of a play about Scotland’s last executed witch and Michael Clark’s new dance piece based on the songs of David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed. Price: various. Tel: 0131 473 2000, web: www.eif.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
ISLAMIC CULTURAL FAYRE
Where: Eastville Park, Bristol
When: 16 Aug
What: Fun fair, five-a-side football and other sports, bazaar and exotic foods at this event designed to bring Islamic and non-Islamic communities together. Price: free. Web: www.bmcs.org.uk

BEAUTIFUL DAYS FESTIVAL
Where: Escot Park, Ottery St Mary, nr Honiton, Devon
When: 21-23 Aug
What: Beautiful Days is the seven-year-old brainchild of crusty statesmen The Levellers who naturally headline, alongside The Pogues and Hawkwind. There are also sets from The Saw Doctors, Gong, Lamb, Dreadzone, Dub Pistols, Imagined Village, Pendulum DJs, Cara Dillon, The King Blues, Eliza Carthy, Imelda May, Lau and more. Expect spectacular site art, a huge children’s area in the centre of the festival, comedy, theatre, family camping, licensed bars from local company Otter Brewery, carefully selected food and craft stalls and even a ‘village shop’ No corporate sponsorship or branding. Price: £100 adult w/e incl camping, day tickets. Web: www.beautifuldays.org

GREEN MAN FESTIVAL
Where: Glanusk Park, Usk Valley, Brecon Beacons, Wales
When: 21-23 Aug
What: Phew! Thanks to leading druids King Arthur Pendragon and Arch Druid Rollo Maughfling, who’ve just performed a blessing on the site, it’s going to be lush weather at the Green Man Festival site this year. Brace yourselves, then, for white stoner legs to be out in force this summer, as Wilco, Animal Collective, Bon Iver and more take to the stage at this brilliant boutique fest of psychedelia, Americana, folk, indie and electronica. Lovely setting around a castle in the Brecon Beacons. Also art installations, literature, film, ceilidhs, theatre, science, comedy, massage, bonfire, jamming, food and the only 24-hour drinks licence at a UK festival. New for 2009: green area Einstein’s Garden, a larger children’s area, and ‘holiday tickets’ permitting an extra three days’ camping before the festival. Price: £115 adult w/e incl camping, under-12s free. Web: www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk

GWYL PONTARDAWE FESTIVAL
Where: Parc Ynysderw, Pontardawe, nr Swansea
When: 21-23 Aug
What: ‘Croeso’ to this annual, not-for-profit celebration of traditional music and dance which has taken place every August, with one exception, since 1978 and developed from a small, essentially Celtic folk event into an international one attracting up to 20,000 visitors. Folk, reggae, bluegrass and skiffle from Wales, England, Ireland, Denmark and Zimbabwe this year – the iconic Man Band from Swansea headline on the Thurs. Price: £75 adult w/e, day tickets, concs. Tel: 01792 830200, web: www.pontardawefestival.org

80s REWIND FESTIVAL
Where: Temple Island Meadows, near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
When: 21-23 Aug
What: Brand-new festival billed as a celebration of ’80s music and boasting the shoulder-padded likes of Kim Wilde, Rick Astley, Bananarama, Belinda Carlisle, Heaven 17, Kid Creole, Dr & The Medics, Nick Heyward, Billy Ocean, The Real Thing, China Crisis, Toyah, Gloria Gaynor, Sister Sledge, ABC, Go West, Paul Young, Howard Jones, T’Pau, Midge Ure, Nik Kershaw, The Christians, The Blockheads with Phill Jupitus, and Chas’n’Dave. Plus funfairs, fireworks, street entertainers, disco and comedy. Price: £95 adult w/e camping. Web: www.rewindfestival.com

RHYTHM FESTIVAL
Where: Twinwood Arena, Clapham, Bedfordshire
When: 21-23 Aug
What: Superbly well-run newcomer launched three years ago as a response to the smelly bogs, flash-in-the-pan bands and general shoddiness of lesser outdoor events and “aimed at intelligent grown-ups and their families” (an impressive 82% of whom return). This year The Proclaimers, Glenn Tilbrook & The Fluffers, Alabama 3, Terry Reid, The Blow Monkeys (Dr Robert & original line-up), The Beat and James Hunter all show up. Plus kids’ field, cinema, funfair, workshops, therapies, comedy stage, folk club and solar-powered cinema. Price: £90 adult w/e, day tickets. Web: www.rhythmfestival.net

V
Where: Weston Park, Staffs & Hylands Park, Chelmsford
When: 22-23 Aug
What: You can stuff your locally sourced organic food, real ale, bucolic countryside and noseflute workshops, say fans – V is all about the music, not sideshows, and the more singalong-a-chart-topping the better. This year’s roll call of celebrity crowd-pleasers includes The Killers, Katy Perry, Oasis, Snow Patrol, Happy Mondays, Elbow, Razorlight, Alesha Dixon, The Streets, Keane, Lily Allen, Ting Tings, Pendulum, Fatboy Slim, Taylor Swift and bucketloads more. Dress code: WAGs ’n’ footballers. Acts play Staffs one day, Chelmsford the next. Price: £152.50 adult w/e, day tickets. Tel: 0871 22 00 260 24, web: www.vfestival.com

LOCAL EVENT
MIGRATIONS AFROBEAT DANCE PARTY
Where: Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol
When: 25 Aug
What: Outdoor party among the birds, bats and monkeys, with Congolese stars Samba Mapangala and Orchestra Virunga as well as DJ Queen Bee. Part of the Migrations Season. Price: £12 adult. Tel: 0845 4024001, web: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL BEATLE WEEK
Where: Various venues, Liverpool
When: 26 Aug-1 Sept
What: The biggest Beatles celebration in the world, held in the city where it all began. Various tribute bands play gigs across the city, and there are also memorabilia sales, record fairs, guest speakers, tours, theatre and a full day convention. Price: various packages, incl accommodation & individually priced tours. Tel: 0151 236 9091, web: www.caverncitytours.com

SHAMBALA FESTIVAL
Where: “top secret site in Northamptonshire”
When: 27-30 Aug
What: A very happy tenth birthday to this blissfully utopian, word-of-mouth success. Various stages/tents/areas covering music, performance, cinema, art, crafts and talks. Music line-ups rarely announced in advance – expect quality, but no big names. Loads for kids – workshops, games, music, sports day, trampolines, gyroscope, play equipment, procession and earlybird cartoons sessions. Strong focus on sustainability and families. New for 2009: Shambala Spa with healers, sauna, hot-tubs, plunge-pool, tea and cake; voice and music workshop tents. Price: £85 adult w/e incl camping, under-5s free. Tel: 0844 870 0000, web: www.shambalafestival.org

FRIGHTFEST
Where: Empire, Leicester Square, London
When: 27-31 Aug
What: Now sponsored by Film4, expect even more premières, personal appearances, signings and surprises at this unique horror and fantasy film festival organised by film critic Alan Jones. Price: £140 festival pass, day/event tickets. Tel: 020 8296 0555, web: www.frightfest.co.uk

TOWERSEY VILLAGE FESTIVAL
Where: Towersey, nr Thame, Oxfordshire
When: 27-31 Aug
What: Major facelifts afoot at this little village do with a big attitude. Now in its 45th outing, Towersey promise bigger, better performance areas, improved children’s and young people’s zones and a chill-out tent. Many of folk’s usual suspects are here – The Waterson Family, Karine Polwart Band and many more – for five days of fine music, open-air theatre, market, craft fair, workshops, dances and storytelling. Price: £105 adult w/e camping b4 29 May, day/event tickets. Web: www.towerseyfestival.com

AEON FESTIVAL
Where: Shobrooke Farm Estate, Crediton, Devon
When: 28-30 Aug
What: Sci-fi is the theme of this of this tidy, low-key bohemian bank holiday happening now into its fourth year and stretched to three full days. Dress as Barbarella or Dr Spock to enjoy four stages of eclectic music (including Cabaret Voltaire), as well as comedy, poetry, graffiti, breakdancing, cinema, open mic, art, kids’ area and food and drink. Price: £45 adult w/e. Web: www.aeonfestival.com

READING & LEEDS FESTIVAL
Where: Richfield Avenue, Reading & Branham Park, Leeds
When: 28-30 Aug
What: With roots stretching back as far as 1961 – making it the world’s oldest existing pop fest – and a reputation for bottling anyone who doesn’t fit into its defiantly rock/punk/metal ethos (see Bonnie Tyler, Daphne & Celeste and 50 Cent), Reading/Leeds has weathered well in the current climate (both weather and financial varieties). This year’s line-up may not be hard and nasty enough for the hardcore, featuring as it does indie boys Kings Of Leon, Arctic Monkeys and Kaiser Chiefs. Thankfully, Radiohead, The Prodigy, Deftones and Lostprophets should be able to make a few ears bleed. Acts play Reading one day, Leeds the next. Price: Sold Out except for Leeds day tickets. Tel: 020 7009 3001, web: www.readingfestival.com, www.leedsfestival.com

SOLFEST
Where: Tarnside Farm, Tarns, Silloth, Cumbria
When: 28-30 Aug
What: The Charlatans, The Blockheads, Nerina Pallot and The Buzzcocks take to the main stage at this 8,000-capacity affair (full name Solway Festival) which was conceived five years ago and is set between the mountains and the sea in picturesque west Cumbria. There are also two other stages, a dance tent, children’s and adult workshops, market and a fancy dress party on the Sat. Excellent drainage, apparently, on account of the sandy ground, so less muddy than other fests. You can also park your car by your tent. NB: price increase this year because a grant has run out. Price: £80 adult w/e, concs. Tel: 0845 241 0530, web: www.solwayfestival.co.uk

BEACHDOWN FESTIVAL
Where: Near Devils Dyke, East Sussex
When: 28-31 Aug
What: Beachdown makes a welcome return to the south coast after last year’s stormingly successful launch. Super Furry Animals, Grace Jones, The Fall, Ida Maria, The Zutons, Laurent Garnier, Saint Etienne and Grandmaster Flash make for a holiday atmosphere. No mud baths on account of the sandy soil – bonus! Plus film, comedy, cocktails – and fab sea views. Price: £97.50 adult w/e. Web: www.beachdownfestival.com

LOCAL EVENT
GREENBELT
Where: Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham
When: 28-31 Aug
What: Annual God squad gathering. Expect Christian rock, communion and liturgies, bible-based theatre, literature etc, plus acts like Stu G, Schlomo and The Love & Joy Gospel Choir. Plenty for children, teens and families. Shortest bar queues in festival land, too. Price: adult w/e camping c£85, concs, day tickets. Web: www.greenbelt.org.uk

SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury
When: 28-31 Aug
What: This roots/world four-dayer, formerly known as the Bridgnorth Folk Festival, places the emphasis on all-ages fun, with plenty of entertainment and workshops for children and young people as well as concerts from The Proclaimers, Lau, Karine Polwart, Eric Bibb and Chris Wood among other circuit regulars. Plus about a dozen dance teams. Price: £95, concs, day tickets, under-11s free. Tel: 01746 768813, web: www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk

SW4
Where: Clapham Common, London
When: 29 Aug
What: More bank holiday open-air clubbing, with big-name DJs like Sasha, John Digweed and Layo & Bushwacka! dishing up the beats until the wee small hours. Part of the Clapham Weekender with Get Loaded In The Park (see 30 Aug). Price: £40. Tel: 020 31890076, web: www.southwestfour.com

CREAMFIELDS
Where: Daresbury Estate, Halton, Cheshire
When: 29-30 Aug
What: Basement Jaxx, Tiësto, Paul Van Dyk and Dizzee Rascal (among others) all head up north to “the world’s biggest dancefloor”. Expect eight arenas packed full of sweaty ravers. Price: £100 adult w/e camping (first 5k tickets – more after). Tel: 0151 707 1309 or web: www.creamfields.com

LOCAL EVENT
OLD DUKE JAZZ FESTIVAL
Where: The Old Duke, King Street, Bristol
When: 29-31 Aug
What: Expect thousands of revellers to dance in the streets at this legendary pub’s popular annual open-air jazz festival, now in its 31st year. Price: free. Web: www.theoldduke.co.uk

TWINWOOD FESTIVAL
Where: Twinwood Arena & Airfield, Clapham, Bedfordshire
When: 29-31 Aug
What: Iron those jazz pants, Daddio, for this nostalgic swing, jazz, jive and blues festival which incorporates the Glenn Miller Festival and is hosted by John Miller (Glenn’s nephew). Also WWII air displays, museums, 1940s re-enactments, trade and craft stalls, jive, swing and lindyhop dance lessons on wooden dancefloors, fashion shows, hangar dances and more. Price: £47.70 adult w/e camping (more after 31 May). Tel: 01923 282725, web: www.twinwoodevents.com

GET LOADED IN THE PARK
Where: Clapham Common, London
When: 30 Aug
What: Bite-sized chunk of dance-based mayhem in South London – Orbital, Royksopp and Booka Shade all perform live and there are DJ sets from Pendulum, Felix Da Housecat and many others. Part of the Clapham Weekender with SW4 (see 29 Aug). Price: £35. Tel: 0844 847 2467, web: www.getloadedinthepark.com

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