hayfestival.com
While l lay continues to attract the hook world's biggest names (this year it has Seamus Heaney. DBC Pierre. Salman Rushdie. Margaret Atwood and Will Sell) it is now a truly eclectic festival. Where else wrll you get the diverse likes of Jimmy Carr. Simon Callow. Germaine Greer. Eric Sykes and PJ Harvey in one place this summer"? (BD)
27 MAY - 4 JUNE
Feis Ile - Islay Festival of
Malt and Musuc I m I
Venues vary, lslay, Argyll. Free-£25. feisile.org Now host to eight whisky makers. the gimlet isle of lslay reaches into the Atlantic at the south end of the Inner llehrides and its peaty waters make for whisky well worthy of celebration The annual festival is 21 this year. and features distillery tours. cerlidhs. a festival day on Saturday 13 June. and fly fishing. golf and howling competitions. Expect all weathers. lRLl
27 - 28 MAY
HizFi Festival I
Matfen Estate, nr Newcastle/Matterley Bowl, Winchester, Hampshire. 25250-85. 0870 042 2006. hififestival.com
Offering egual billing to the big. largely established names of today’s rock and dance scenes. this new double festival is running simultaneously in the north and south of England. Music arenas are supplemented by a Chill Out Village. comedy club. rock climbing and the usual fairground attractions. Runs until .lam. but there is no camping. (ME;
27 - 28 MAY
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup I I Nevis Range, Fort William. £9-£35 (ES-£18); famin ticket 222-276. 01397 705825. fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk
For the fifth year running this adrenalinpumping. dirt-Spraying. party-loving competition Will be taking up residence in this sleepy highland town. Part of the World Cup Series. the annual event sees the globes top mountain bikers competing in downhill. four- cross and cross country disciplines. (RS)
1 - 5 JUNE
Cat Laughs Comedy Festival I Venues vary, Kilkenny. Prices vary. 00 353 567 763837. thecatlaughs.com
Worth a flight across the Irish Sea i‘ you '.'.raiit to fault the Jokes that Will be making Erdinliuigli ittl.ilt'l‘.' if'i~ laugh in August. The festival is a true riiix of the international lDoug Stanhope. Adam llills. Rich llalzi. Irish superstars lArdal O'Hanlon. Jason Byine. Dara O'Brrainl and the local upcomers trust who the lit?‘.’ll are Barry Murphy. PJ Gallagher anrl Reuben r’i. iBDi
2 - 11 JUNE
Leith Festival I I I
Venues vary, Leith, Edinburgh. Prices vary. 0845 458 9709. leithfestival.com
With over 100 events utilising St) venues. all ‘.'.’lillll1 a mile's radius of the capital's quirky port and the New; Kirkgate centre this will be ten days you are unliker to forget in a hurry. The excellent Leith Short l iliii Festival kicks things off at the Lighthouse bar on Sunday «1 June -— parades. exhibitions and stalls on Leith Links and much more follows. You'd better start planning your days now. PD
2 - 4 JUNE
Wychwood Festival I I I I
Cheltenham Racecourse. £85. 01993 772580. wychwoodfestival.com
Yet another newly-founded smaller .‘ilternative music festival. this chilled-out weekend was launched to great acclairii last year. No massive names are
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3 JUNE
Coloursfest I Braehead Arena, Glasgow. £39.50. 0870 169 0100. colours.co.uk
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8 - 10 JUNE
Scottish Traditional Beer Festival I Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh. £3-E5 per day.
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8 JUNE - 19 NOVEMBER
Venice Biennale I I
Venues vary, Venice, Italy. Prices vary. 00 39 041 5218711. |abiennale.org/en/
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