STREET LIFE FESTIVAL, Bolton Town Centre. A mixture of street entertainment including music, stunning theatre, comedy. Events include: Victoria Square, Faateleku, noon; Caucasic Circus, 1pm and 2.30pm; Bollywood Band, 1.30pm; Street Beast, 3pm. On Deansgate: What a Palaver! noon, 1.45pm and 3.30pm; John Teasdale, 12.30pm and 2.15pm; Grand Theatre of Lemmings, 1.15pm; Mike Hancock, 3pm; Famos Bramwells, noon and 1.15pm and 2.30pm; Railroad Bill, 12.30pm, 1.45pm and 3pm; Moonshine, 1pm, 2.15pm and 3.30pm. On Corps. St. Mike Hancock, noon and 1.45pm; Espejo Negro, 12.30pm and 2.45pm; Zic Zazou, 1pm and 3.15pm; Maynard Flipflap, 2.15pm. On Oxford Street, La Fanfarra and Cercavila will be strolling around the town centre. Saturday May 5. Ring 334098.

BRITANNIA FESTIVAL. Enjoy the taste of real ales and traditional cider. Britannia Pub, Farnworth. Runs from Friday May 4 to Monday May 7.

FESTIVAL ARTS PROJECT - BEANFEAST, Oxford Park Ranger Cabin, Alder Lane, Orford, Warrington. Help the rangers create a Beanfeast mural to be displayed on the day and the to launch the start of the annual art project. Sunday May 6. Ring 01925 658098.

SOUTHPORT SPRING GARDENING FESTIVAL, Meols Hall, Churchtown, Southport. Bright and wonderful floral displays, the art of Bonsai growing and the launch of a brand new contemporary floral art competition on a private estate. Open 9.30am to 6pm. Tickets Adults £5, senior citizen £4, wheelchair user £3 and young people aged 12 to 18 £1 if book in advance, or adults £7, senior citizen £6, wheelchair user £3, or young people aged 12 to 18 £1 on the gate or adults £3, senior citizens £3, wheelchair user £3 and young people aged 12 to 18 £1 after 3.30pm. Runs from Saturday May 5 to Monday May 7.

INTERNATIONAL CELLO FESTIVAL by the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. Runs from to Sunday May 6. Events include on Friday, MBF International Master Classes. Starts 2.15pm. Also, Workshops. Starts 4.30pm. Also, Gala Concert featuring music by Beehoven and Barber. Starts 7pm. Also, Awards of Distinction featuring music by Rachmaninov and Paganini. Starts 10pm. On Saturday, MBF International Master Classes. Also, The Strad Cello and Bow Making Competition. Starts 1pm. Also, Young Artist Recital - Fournier Award Winners. Starts 3.15pm. Also, Workshop and Lecture exploring the American Influence. Starts 4.30pm. Also, The Strand Cello and Bow Making Competition presentation of awards. Starts 5.45pm. Also, Concert Preview. Starts 6.30pm. Also, BBC Philharmonic Concert. Starts 7.30pm. Also, Concert Plus featuring music by Bach and Rouse. Starts 10.15pm. On Sunday, Exhibition by the Strand Celia and Bow Making Competition semi finalists. Starts 10am. Also, MBF International Master Classes. Starts 10am. Also, Young Artist Recital featuring music by Beethnove and Debussy. Starts 1pm. Also, Workshops. Starts 2.15pm. Also, Closing Recital The Bach Suites. Starts 4pm. All events take place at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester apart from the Preview, Orchestral Concert and Concert Plus on Saturday May 5 which take place in the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. For further details contact the Festival Office on 01625 530140 or the RNCM Box Office on 0161 907 5278/5279.

JAPAN 2001 FESTIVAL NORTH WEST. Turnpike Gallery, Civic Square, Leigh. The Festival is launched on Friday May 4 at 3pm with a preview of Masakatsu Kondo's Landscape Paintings. Other events include Tokyo Life at Selfridges in the Trafford Centre throughout May, the opening of the Japanese Garden at Tatton Park. Saturday May 23. Also, Tozai Fusion Ensemble, a musical performance blending Japanese and British classical music. Peel Hall, Salford University. Sunday May 28.

X TRAX/STREETS AHEAD FESTIVAL. Various events to held at different venues in Manchester. Runs from Friday May 4 to Monday May 7. Ring 0161 234 5207. Admission free.