Rum and reggae
Notting Hill wakes up to Europe's largest street carnival. Sunday is children's day, Monday is reserved for the adults, with 75 costume bands, 12 steel bands, three live music stages and 45 static sound systems. August 27/28. 2pm-7pm. Free. London W11. Tube stations: Westbourne Park/ Royal Oak. Details: 020-8964 0544.
Shiver me timbers
Follow in the footsteps of the Swallows and Amazons adventurers, making pirate flags, hats and headscarves and meeting the characters from the book. August 30.11am-3.30pm. Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derby, Derbyshire (01332 863 822). Entry to garden £2.40 adults/£1.20 children; admission to event 50p per child.
Art afloat
Based on a traditional canal narrowboat, the Mikron Theatre Company ties up near pubs and village halls and aims to entertain those living far from a theatre. August 27.7.30pm. Admission free. Abbey Park, Evesham, Worcestershire (01386 565238 until noon Saturday).
Dark passions
Song and dance celebrating the European arrival of drinking chocolate in the 17th century. August 27/28. 11am-5pm. Syon House, Syon Park, Brentford, Middlesex (020-8560 0881). Admission to house £6 adults/£4.50 children/ £15 families.
Bog standard
You'll need a wetsuit, mask and flippers to join in the 60-yard peaty swim of the World Bog Snorkelling Championships. Bog-leaping point-to-point mountain biking is an added bonus. August 28. Noon. £5 to enter. Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Wales (01591 610236).
Global grooves
From bhangra to salsa, zouk to zydeco, Morecambe's Worldbeat Weekend 2000 straddles the musical spectrum, with the coolest daytime concerts and hottest club nights. Aug 26/27.10.30am-1am. £15 adults/ £8 children. The Platform, Old Station Buildings, Central Promenade, Morecambe (01524 582803).
Dogs' life
With a cast of almost 6,000, the Scottish Kennel Club's160th General Championship will feature around 150 breeds strutting their stuff. August 26/27. 9.30am-5.30pm. £5 adults/£2 children. Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston, Edinburgh (0131-665 3920).
Big top attractions
Children can polish up their circus skills in the National Trust's East Riddlesden Hall. A travelling troupe of performers will help them juggle, stilt-walk, balance on a tightrope and conquer a unicycle. August 28. Noon-4pm. £3.50 adults/ £1.80 children, under-5s free, family £8.80. West Yorkshire (01535 607075).
