1 Join the parade

1 Join the parade

London's biggest street party, the Notting Hill Carnival, turns 40 this year. Up to a million people are expected to attend the Caribbean-style celebrations and support the thousands of performers taking part in this two-day extravaganza. There are five main musical disciplines featured, including calypso and Beat Pan. Children will be kept busy with a range of free events with Carnival Sunday, an under-18s parade, the highlight. Remember Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove underground stations will close for the event: the nearest stations are Kensal Green and High Street Kensington.

From 29 to 30 August, 11am-9pm. Admission free. Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park Road, Notting Hill, London W11 (08700 591111).

2 Take a hike

Pull on your walking boots and discover Speyside, home to puffins, golden eagles, otters and, of course, malt whisky. The Spirit of Speyside Walking Festival offers hikes to suit all abilities in this beautiful corner of north-east Scotland, with local guides imparting their knowledge of the area's nature and history. Booking is strongly advised.

From 26 to 30 August. Most walks are free but some of the longer routes incur a charge of around £10 to cover transport. Contact Elgin Tourist Information Centre (01343 542666; www.walkingfestival.net).

3 Pack a picnic

Take a picnic and hope for fine weather for the Performing Arts Symphony Orchestra's outdoor performance at Sandringham on Sunday. Mini-marquees and tables and chairs can be hired, so you can relax in style and enjoy classics such as "Land of Hope and Glory" and "Jerusalem" in the 600-acre park at the Queen's country retreat.

On 29 August, 4.30pm-10.30pm. Adults £19.50, children aged five-16 years £16. Sandringham Country Park, King's Lynn, Norfolk (0845644 2355; www.performingarts.co.uk).

4 Get on your bike

Join Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, on a cycle ride to the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. The 25-mile round trip from Portstewart takes in the stunning scenery of the Antrim coast as well as the Giant's Causeway itself, a unique rock formation that is now a World Heritage Site. Families with young children can join the cyclists for a shorter four-mile round trip from Bushmills to the Giant's Causeway. The event is free, but pre-registering is essential.

On 29 August from 12.30pm at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, or at 2.15pm from Bushmills railway car park. The ride finishes at around 5.30pm. Contact Sustrans (0289043 4569; www.sustrans.org.uk).

5 Saddle up

Calling all budding cowboys and cowgirls, the Burley Villa School of Riding in the New Forest invites you to master the art of Western-style horse riding. Riders aged 10 and over will be given a Stetson and then taken on a two-hour trail through the forest. No experience is required, owing to the gentle nature of Western riding.

From 28 to 30 August at 9.30am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm. Rides cost £40 per person. The Burley Villa School of Riding, Bashley, New Milton (01425 610278; www.burleyvilla.co.uk).

6 Dance away

Step out at The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum where families can learn dances from around the world in its "Move it! Do it!" series of summer activities. On Saturday 28, there will be a Tanzanian dance workshop at 1.30pm and 3pm and on Monday 30 visitors can learn Bollywood dancing at the same times, with henna painting at 1pm, 2pm and 3.30pm.

From 28 to 30 August, 10am-4.30pm. Adults £6.50, children aged five-15 years £3.95, families (two adults and two children) £14. British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, Station Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol (0117-925 4980; www.empiremuseum.co.uk).

7 Hunt for treasure

Seek out knights' treasure at Eastnor Castle in the Malvern Hills. The trail will take families around the 19th-century Norman revival-style castle looking for clues and hunting out prizes. Every child will also get the chance to win a replica suit of armour created by David Cubbage, who designed the suits for the films Gladiator and A Knight's Tale. From 29 to 30 August, 11am-4.30pm. Adults £6.50, children aged five-15 years £4. Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Herefordshire (01531 633160; www.eastnor-castle.co.uk).

8 See an exhibition

The Tate goes on the road to Stoke this bank holiday with an exhibition of works representing movements from Surrealism to Pop Art. The touring exhibition will feature 23 works from artists including David Hockney, Patrick Caulfield, René Magritte, Claus Oldenburg and Francis Bacon.

From 28 August to 7 November, Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 2pm-5pm. Admission free. Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Bethesda Street, Hanley, Stoke on Trent (01782 232323; www.stoke.gov.uk/museums).

9 Go to a gig

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Lakeland Hills and Morecambe Bay, the Morecambe Festival of Light and Water aims to celebrate home-grown musical talent. Fourteen acts will feature, including a Beach Boys tribute band, with performances throughout the day. Workshops, craft stalls, theatre performers and firework finales will provide additional entertainment.

From 28 to 29 August, 12pm-10pm. Admission free. Marine Road Central, Morecambe, Lancashire (01524 582808; www.lancaster.gov.uk).

10 Join the woodland folk

At the North Wales Garden and Woodlands Festival in the spectacular setting of Bodelwyddan Castle's 260 acres of parkland, visitors can take a guided tour of the grounds with the head gardener, enjoy music and art at the floral art show, watch herbal cookery or flower arranging demonstrations and enjoy a drink at the Welsh bar. There will also be activities laid on for children, a horticultural marquee, fine foods market and a gardener's question time.

From 29 to 30 August, 10am-6pm. Advance tickets: adults £3.75, children under 14 years accompanied by an adult free. Bodelwyddan Castle, St Asaph, Denbighshire (08705 168767; www.gardenfestivals.com).

11 Get creative

Go Carnival Crazy at the Design Museum, south London, where children aged six to 12 will have the chance to be inspired by Brazilian design duo Fernando and Humberto Campana, whose work is currently on show, and create their own carnival costumes, plus masks, banners and headdresses. Think bold, think bright. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

From 28 to 29 August, 2pm-5pm. Admission and workshop, adults £6, children aged six-12 years £4. The Design Museum, Shad Thames, London SE1 (020 7940 8782; www.designmuseum.org).

12 Fly a kite

At the annual International Kite Festival, displays will be staged in an arena on Southsea Common throughout the day and visitors can try their hand too. A fun fair, market stalls and food stands complete the scene. Events are dependent on suitable weather.

From 28 to 30 August, 11am-6pm. Admission free. Southsea Common, near Portsmouth (02392 826722; www.visitportsmouth.co.uk)

13 Be beside the seaside

Jules the Jester stilt walks on Bournemouth seafront as you marvel at Mr Magic's sleight of hand and watch Professor Bonkers' puppet show. On the beach, let off steam with tug of wars and bouncy castles.

From 28 to 30 August from 10am-4pm. Admission is free. Bournemouth Lower Gardens and beach (01202 451750; www.bournemouth.co.uk).

14 Look east

Newcastle hosts a two-day celebration of Asian music, arts, fashion and culture, with Pakistani music sensation Shehzad Roy and the "crown prince of Bhangra" Jazzy B.

From 29 to 30 August, 12pm-7pm. Free. Exhibition Park, Newcastle (0191 211 6239; www.newcastlemela.co.uk).

15 Put on speed

The Cowes Classic Powerboat Race, now in its 44th year, is the oldest and probably one of the toughest races of its kind in the world, with some of the fastest ocean-going powerboats racing across 220 miles of open water from Cowes to Torquay and back. Keen fans will be able to watch a star-studded line up, including the winner of last year's Harmsworth Trophy, Austrian Hannes Bohinc and Italian Fabio Buzzi.

From 25 to 30 August. Admission free. Cowes, Isle of Wight (01425 461333; www.cowesclassic.com).

16 Watch the silver screen

Take a seat at the Edinburgh International Film Festival as it draws to a close for one of the acclaimed films from its eclectic programme. Still showing: Untold Scandal, a South Korean remake of Dangerous Liaisons by Je-yong Lee, Blinded, a powerful new British drama by Eleanor Yule, Jim Jarmusch's Coffee & Cigarettes and more.

Various venues around Edinburgh until 29 August (0131-229 2550; www.edfilmfest.org.uk). Prices vary.

17 Take a ride on a rickshaw

If you fancy riding through the streets of Leicester in a rickshaw, head for Belgrave, the city's Asian quarter, for the climax of the five-day street festival Expo 04, which is expected to attract more than a quarter of a million visitors. There will be performances by Shiva Nova and the Peepul Choir.

On 30 August from 10am to 8pm. Admission free. Leicester Market, Leicester (09062 941113; www.visitleicestershire.com).

18 Go to a festival

Singing, dancing and street entertainers will be the order of the day at the Cornwall Folk Festival in the riverside town of Wadebridge. Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson are among the line-up in a programme that includes concerts, ceilidhs, music sessions and dance displays. The festival will also host a dulcimer event and, for under-18s, the chance to become Cornwall Young Performer of the Year. Pitch a tent at the festival campsite on the Royal Cornwall Showground and jump on the free bus service into town.

From 27 to 30 August, 10am-midnight. A weekend ticket costs adults £45 (10 per cent off for Cornish residents), eight-18 years £22. Wadebridge, North Cornwall, (01736 850630; www.cornwallfolkfestival.co.uk).

19 Feed your face

Gorge on local and Continental produce and down a few pints of beer while listening to jazz and brass bands at Carlisle's Great Food Fair. The Great Fair Proclamation, which dates from 1352, states that a free fair take place in the city at the same time each year - and this year it will be held on Saturday 28 August. Food and drink are not the only attractions on offer. You can also explore Carlisle's historic heritage with a visit to the cathedral or by taking a guided tour of the castle.

From 27 to 30 August, 9.30am-5pm. Admission to the food fair is free. Guided tours cost adults £1.80 and children up to 15 years 90p. Pedestrianised area, English Street, Carlisle (01228 625600; www.historic-carlisle.org.uk).

20 Step back in time

Enter another era at the Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival. A host of unusual events include performances by the Buttered Muffins Theatre Company and games on the Wheel Of Almost Certain Doom. For kids there is a myth-themed fancy dress competition, while adults can dance the night away Victorian-style at Saturday evening's ball. And on Sunday evening there will be a torchlit procession and fireworks show.

From 21 to 29 August, 9.30am until late. Prices vary. Various locations, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, Wales (01597 823441; www.victorianfestival.co.uk).

All details correct at press time.

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