A CELEBRATION of the arts is promised as the 10-day Bolton Festival kicked off on Friday.

music, dance, theatre, comedy, circus, storytelling and children's entertainment will take place at venues throughout the town.

Events begin with a 2.30pm scavenger hunt at Moss Bank Park, followed by an Albert Hall Performance from Pink Floyd tribute band Off The Wall at 8pm tonight (Tickets £14-£16 on 01204 334400).

Saturday sees a children's river dipping event, which offers an opportunity to see what lurks beneath the water's surface between 2pm and 3.30pm at Hall i'th'Wood in Green Way. Advance bookings can be made on 01204 332211 at £2.50.

Also on Saturday, the Bolton Festival Choir and Orchestra, conducted by John Powell, with leader Katie Wearing, will be performing Haydn's "Nelson" Mass, Handel's Concerto Grosso Op. 3 and Bach's Magnificat.

The parish church concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £9 (£8 concessions) from the festival box office on 01204 334400 or on the door.

Meanwhile, over at the Phoenix on Bark Street, songs, scenes and dances from the West End Musicals will be performed in Westenders from 7.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are £3.50 to £6 on 01204 535861.

Sunday will feature a Normandy Veterans' Parade in the Town Hall Square from 10am.

A mini beasts safari takes place in Moss Bank Park from 10am, while up-and-coming rock bands compete in the Battle of the Bands at the Phoenix between 1pm and 5pm.

Local talent will be on show at the Bolton Arts Forum Performance Showcase at the Albert Halls from 7pm. Tickets are £8.

Monday will feature an open day at the Moor Lane fire station, music and story-telling at the museum and art gallery, a free historical walk along Halliwell Road and hill from 7pm (meet Ainsworth Arms), more Battle of the Bands at the Phoenix from 7.30pm and the beginning of a six night run of the musical comedy Tripe at the Bolton Little Theatre from 7.30pm (£7).

Masks and puppets, street music, film and TV, circus, storytelling, dance and theatre will take place at the Bolton Youth Arts Festival at The Phoenix on Bark Street throughout the week from Monday. All events are free and further information is available on 01204 535861.

Highlights for the rest of the week include Tuesday's Bring It On Summer Pop Party at the Albert Halls, guitarist Neil Smith at Smithills Hall on Wednesday, a literary dinner with Bolton novelist Janette Jenkins at Ridgmont House in Horwich on Thursday, Mozart by Candlelight at the Albert Halls on Friday night, the Circus in the Park at Moses Gate Country Park on Sunday August 29 and a dragon parade through Le Mans Crescent and the Town Hall Square the following day.

Elsewhere, events in the Town Hall Square marquee during Bolton Festival are free for everyone.

A variety of entertainment is on offer from 11am to 4pm throughout the festival.

On Tuesday, Smithills Hall, Hall i'th'Wood and Bolton Museum and Art Gallery will come together to present a series of historical activities.

The following day there is theatre, DJ, storytelling, arts and crafts, face painting and circus stills plus exhibitions and performances to watch and join.

On Thursday, local dance groups will perform throughout the day, and on Friday it's the Bolton Arts Community celebrity "Paint In", followed by South Asia Arts' day of live music, art, workshops and dance on Saturday.

On Sunday, August 29, "A Whole Load Of stuff" is promised, including poetry, arts and crafts, painting and freebies.