Hot stuff

Curry in all its glory is celebrated in London's Brick Lane, with guest chefs from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan. Tomorrow also sees the annual Spitalfields multicultural festival. Rickshaw rides, Bollywood bands and other live music.

Brick Lane E1. Nearest tube: Aldgate East. Tomorrow's festival runs noon - 10pm, curry festival until end of September. Free. Curry festival information: 020-7655 0906 (Monday - Friday).

Shell like

There's an R in the month again so it's time to welcome the return of the oyster season. Shovel them down with champagne by the Thames at the Hay's Galleria Oyster and Seafood Fair. Lobster and crab are also on the menu. Plus cookery demonstrations.

Tooley Street, London SE1. Today and tomorrow. 11am - 6pm. Free. 020-7940 7770, haysgalleria.co.uk.

Special brew

More than 35 local beers and ciders are available at the Somerset Real Ale Festival on the station platform of the West Somerset steam railway. Plus many other brews from around the UK.

Minehead. Today: 11am - 11pm; tomorrow noon - 4pm. Free (but you must buy a special refundable glass). 01643 704996.

Highland fling

Tossing the caber, putting the stone, Scottish and Canadian pipe bands, Highland dancing and running races are on the programme at the Braemar Gathering.

Today. Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire. 9.30am - 5pm. Adults £6, children £2 (also more expensive grandstand). www.braemargathering.org.

Chateau Chelmsford

Taste Essex wines at a vineyard near Chelmsford. Plus craft fair, country music and jazz, and other entertainment.

New Hall Vineyards, Chelmsford Road, Purleigh. Today and tomorrow, 10.30am - 5.30pm. £4 adults, 50p children. 01621 828343.

Pedal hell

The Hell of the North - the main event at the Darlington Cycling Festival - takes place tomorrow. The 100-mile route is scenic, taking in Hawes and Kirkby Stephen, but is not - say the organisers - for the faint hearted.

From Dolphin Centre, Darlington. Registration 8.30am, start 9.30am. Entry on the day: £5.50 includes T-shirt, £2 without. 01325 388427.

Herbal cures

Try out natural therapies for your aches and pains at an exhibition in Cheltenham. Plus lectures and workshops, and more than 100 stalls.

Town Hall, Imperial Square. Today and tomorrow, 10am - 6pm. Adults £2.50, concessions £2, children free. Sat, Sun, 10am - 6pm. 01934 813407.