Blues for Brum
Blues Brothers tribute band Sweet Home Chicago, the Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Prefab Four will see Birmingham into the New Year. Plus ska from local band 360 and fireworks.
· Centenary Square. Starts 7.30pm Free. 0121-683 8383, birmingham.gov.uk/winter.
Family show
Prints and drawings by Augustus and Gwen John are on show at the National Museum and Gallery of Wales.
· Cathays Park, Cardiff. Until March 17, Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. Free. 029 2057 3500, nmgw.ac.uk.
Burning issues
A parade of great balls of fire, made of wood shavings soaked in paraffin, will greet 2002 in the Scottish port of Stonehaven.
· High Street. Midnight (pipe band from 11.30pm). Free.
On the Pantiles
Dance, acrobatics, mime, comedy, music and fireworks are on the bill today at the Tunbridge Wells Winter Street Festival. The Millennium Love Parade at the centre of last year's event is recalled in photographs at the town's Museum and Art Gallery.
· Town Centre. From noon with a grand finale at 5.15pm. Exhibition runs until January 5, Monday-Saturday, 9.30am-5pm Festival/exhibitions free. 01892 515675, tunbridgewells.gov.uk.
Academic exercises
Children can find out how to paint portraits from Sir Joshua Reynolds, first President of the Royal Academy - played by an interpreter in costume - at London's Courtauld Institute Gallery.
· Somerset House, Strand. January 3-5, 11am -12.30pm (also 2.30pm-3.30pm Saturday, led in sign language for deaf children). Further information 020-7848 2922 (not Saturday), courtauld.ac.uk.
Feather light
An illuminated Firebird sculpture is taking shape in Greenwich, and you can create your own "feather" - bearing a New Year message - at an adjacent work tent. Plus pyrotechnic street acts.
Cutty Sark Gardens. Until December 31. Work tent open noon-6pm, street theatre from 6pm. Free. festival.org.
Leeds and clues
Follow a treasure trail in the 500-acre grounds of Kent's Leeds Castle. Prizes include hampers and a balloon flight. Separate clues for adults and children.
· Daily until January 1. Aim to start the hunt by 2pm. £8.50 adults (grounds only, admission to castle £1.50 extra), accompanied children up to 15 free. 01622 765400, leeds-castle.com.
Away from the bright lights
Henry Vaughan bequeathed his collection of Turner watercolours to the National Gallery of Scotland on condition that they were exhibited only in January when the light would be weakest and least likely to damage them. They get their annual outing from Tuesday.
· The Mound, off Princes Street, Edinburgh. Until January 31. Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sundays noon-5pm, January 1 noon-5pm, January 2 2pm-5pm. Free. 0131-624 6200. natgalscot.ac.uk.
