All that jazz
Pianists McCoy Tyner and Mulgrew Miller, saxophonist Courtney Pine and violinist Regina Carter are on stage at the Brecon Jazz Festival in mid Wales.
August 9-11. Various venues, for prices and availability: 01874 611622/ 625557, Brecon Jazz
Fighting talk
The Roman conquest, the battles of Bosworth and Hastings, the Napoleonic war, the American civil war and the D-Day landings will be reenacted at History in Action, a theatrical spectacular in Northamptonshire.
Kirby Hall near Corby. August 10-11. 9.30am (action starts 10am)-5.15pm. £16 adults, £11 children (two-day ticket £25/ £18.50. £43/£55 families (2 adults/3 children). 0870 3331183, English Heritage.
Step to it
Musicians and dance groups from Peru, Estonia, Russia and the US are in Alnwick, Northumberland, until August 10 for the International Music Festival. Plus evening ceilidhs or barn dances.
Various venues. Daytime entertainment in Market Square free. Call 01665 510417 (Alnwick Festival) for further information and evening event admission prices.
High notes
Blues by Blind Mississippi Morris, folk music and Jamaican ska are among the sounds at Nottingham's Riverside Festival. Also funfair rides and steam organs.
Victoria Embankment today and tomorrow, noon-11.30pm (illuminated procession on river at 9.15pm tonight, fireworks 10.15pm, closes 10pm tomorrow). Free. 0115 915 5330, Nottingham Riverside Festival.
Raise your glasses
More than 500 real ales, ciders and perries, and imported beers, can be tasted at London's Olympia next week. Live entertainment and craft stalls promised.
Great British Beer Festival (nearest tube Olympia). August 6-10, 5pm-10.30pm Tuesday, 11.30am -3pm then 5pm-10.30pm Wednesday, noon-10.30pm Thursday/Friday, 11am-7pm Saturday). £6 (£2 early session, Wednesday, £5 Saturday). 01727 867201, Camra.
Burning ambitions
Hot-air balloons go up in Bristol next week - 150 of them. On two evenings they will light the night sky with their gas burners. Other entertainment includes parachute jumping, motorcycle stunt riding and a pop concert with Atomic Kitten and Liberty X.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta, Ashton Court Estate. August 8-11, balloon launches at 6pm Thursday, 6am and 6pm other days weather permitting. For times of other events call 09068 252262 (60p per minute), Bristol Balloon Fiesta Free.
Full bloom
Show gardens, expert advice and stalls carrying the latest accessories are promised in the grounds of Yorkshire's Castle Howard next week.
Great Northern Flower Show (15 miles north of York). August 8-11, 10am-6pm. £10 adults, £8.50 OAPs, £3 children (5-15), £24 families (2 adults/3 children), under 5s free (joint tickets to show and Castle Howard, respectively £16, £14, £6, £43). 0115 9129000, Great Northern Flower Show.
