BOLTON FESTIVAL 2000, runs to Monday August 28. Five days of music, dance, drama, street entertainment and much more. Until August 28 you can see Festival Faces, an exhibition in the Crush Hall, Albert Halls, Bolton. Not open Sundays, runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm and admission is free. It's an exhibition of photographs of people and events during the Bolton Festival over the last 21 years, taken from the archives of the Bolton Evening News. Also, to Monday August 28, Newport Street (not Sunday), Art on the Streets, 10am to 5pm open air art exhibition. A chance to see, and buy, the work of local artists as Newport Street is transformed into an open air gallery. Tonight , 7.30pm, Col. Lee's Mounted Ratigators, at The Octagon Theatre. Blues, jass and cajun music that is guaranteed to get your toes tapping. Tickets £5 and £4. Also, tonight , Adzido present Sankofa at The Albert Halls, 8pm, tickets £8 and £6. Music, dance, drama and poetry from the acclaimed ensemble. Tomorrow , 7.30pm, Octagon Theatre, My Life and Other Disasters, an evening with Sheriden Morley. £10, £8 and £6. Top drama critic recalls his life and career with acute and amusing observations of his experiences with David Nivel, Noel Coward and other great stars of the stage and screen. Saturday August 26 to Monday August 28, Bolton Little Theatre, 7.30pm, Trotters. Tickets £6, £5. The return of this hugely successful review, taking a nostalgic look at the events and people that have shaped Bolton over the years. Saturday August 26, 7.30pm, Bolton Millennium Festival Orchestra and Choir, The LIfe of Mozart, The Albert Halls, tickets £6, £5. Sunday August 27, Festival Songs of Praise, Bolton Parish Church, 6.30pm, join the Salvation Army Band to sing the top 10 hymns as chosen by the people of Bolton. Monday August 28, Dream Concert, Albert Halls, 2pm, tickets £5, featuring two great pop tribute bands, The Vengaboyz and The Spice-ish Girls with Geri. Monday August 28, 7.30pm, The Octagon Theatre, The Auld Triangle featuring Eddi Reader and other guests. Tickets £12, £10 and £8. Join the renowned folk ensemble from Westhoughton Folk Club with star guests Boo Hewerdine, Clive Gregson and Eddi Reader, for an unforgettable musical experience. Monday August 28, Bolton Multicultural Arts present A Midsummer Night's Dream, Albert Halls, Festival Hall, 7.30pm. Free event. A community production featuring a local cast of people of all ages and from different communities to create a unique version of Shakespeare's magical tale. Donations to Bolton West Indian Association. Tuesday August 29, 7.30pm, Wilfred Harrison, The Octagon Theatre, fringe event, tickets £5 and £4. A journey through the history of theatre by the actor/director and ex-artistic director of The Octagon Theatre. With humour and gentle wit, this is a performance for all lovers of good theatre. On the streets: Festival Funfair from Friday to Monday in Cheadle Square; Tomorrow , dance Saturday 11am to 4pm, dazzling display of dance from local groups in Victoria Square, from disco to Irish, plus music and street theatre around the town centre. Monday August 28, 11am to 4pm, Fun Monday in Victoria Square. Especially for children, families and the young at heart. Music, theatre, puppet shows, street entertainment and the chance to make you own willow sculpture. Also, Monday August 28, Victorian street market, Le Mans Crescent, 10am to 5pm. For tickets for events at The Octagon Theatre ring Bolton 520661, all other festival events ring Bolton 334400 or call in at the Tourist and Information Centre at The Albert Halls.

FESTIVAL OF SUMMER WALKS, walking event all over Britain this summer. Organised by the Ramblers' Association, runs to August 28. Sunday August 27, 2pm, Moss Bank Way/Chorley Old Road junction, three miles using cleared paths, it's suitable for dogs on leads and highlights the importance of the work carried out by Ramblers' volunteers. Also, August 28, Horwich, 2pm, Jolly Crofters, Chorley Old Road, three mile walk, suitable for dogs on leads and buggies. For details ring Bolton 692458.

CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL, various venues in Blackpool.To August 28. Contact web address: www.blackpool.gov.uk for details of events and times.

FYLDE FOLK FESTIVAL 2000. Sunday August 27, The Houghton Weavers in Concert, Marine Hall, Fleetwood. Starts 8pm. Also, Monday August 28, Lindisfarne in Concert, Marine Hall, Fleetwood. Starts 8pm. Also, Wednesday August 30, The Jacinta Concert, Fleetwood Docks. Starts 8pm. Also, Thursday August 31, Fleetwood Folk Club Concert, North Euston Hotel, starts 8pm. Ring 01253 771141 for details of the above events. The Festival Programme outline starts on Thursday August 31 and includes The First Gathering, Victoria Bar, North Euston Hotel. Starts 8pm. Also, Fleetwood Folk Club Concert, North Euston Hotel. Starts 8pm. Also, Sing In The Festival, Mount Hotel. Also, events on include Friday September 1, The Songwriters Ron Baxter and Ross Campbell perform at the Victoria Bar, North Euston Hotel, from 11am. Also,John Bond leads a singaround, Mount Hotel, from 12 noon. Also, Mid Day Music will be played in the Victoria Bar, North Euston Hotel, from 12 noon. Also, the Festival Ceilidh Band will host a musicians session, Mount Hotel, from 12 noon. Also, Ron Baxter will lead a heritage walk round Fleetwood starting at the Mount Hotel at 3pm. Also, join Eileen McGann and David Knutson for a Down Home session, North Euston Hotel Ballroom. Starts 3pm. Also, Singaround Through Six with Brian Osborne, Mount Hotel, 5.30pm. Also, Friday September 1, The Marine Concert with Tall Stories, Eileen McGann and David Knutson, starts 7.30pm. Also, Folk On Friday with Camellia, Ross Campbell and Richard Hone, the Katherine Fear Band and Folklore, Victoria Bar, North Euston Hotel. Starts 8pm. Also,Mount Music at the Mount Hotel with Joe Crane, Hugh O'Donnell, Neil Brook and Tom Walsh. Starts 8pm. Also, Steamer Music with Spitting on a Roast, Strange Fruit, Eddie and Bruce and Captain Cooper's Motley Crew, Stember Hotel. Starts 8pm. AlsoJollies Night in the Jollies Bar, Fleetwood Pier. Guests include Past Carin' and Gypsy Dave Smith. Starts 8pm. Also, the Strawhead 2000 Concert with ballroom host Ron Baxter, North Euston Hotel, starts 8pm. Events on Saturday September 2 include Songs for the Jacinta with guests Camellia, Th'Antique Road Show, Fleetwood Museum. Also, Live at the Jollies with Past Carin', Strange Fruit, Elderberries, Bayou Gumbo, Fleetwood Pier. Also, I've Got Rhythm with Paul Wrigley, Scolds Bridle, Pamela Ward and Paul Cherrington, Nebula, the Katherine Fear Band and Ben and Joe Broughton, Market Tavern. Also, an afternoon concert with Gypsy Reel, Wild Welsh Women and the John Wright Band at the Marine Hall. Also, The Legion 2000 Concert with Tanglefoot, Marie Little and Meet on the Ledge at the British Legion Club. Also, Ceilidh 2000 with The Bismarcks in the Marine Hall. Events on Sunday September 3 include The Jacinta Concert with Derek Gifford, Pamela Ward, Paul Cherrington and Red Duster, Fleetwood Museum. Also, The Sid Kipper Show at the British Legion Club. Also, Rock in Jollies with Sundance, Gypsy Dave Smith, Elderberries, Strange Fruit and Past Carin, Fleetwood Pier. Also, A New Generation Concert and Young Performers Contest, Mount Hotel. Also, Lancashire and Cheshire Clog Dancing Competitions at the New Venture and Over 60's Hall. Also, Derek Stanton hosts a Lancashire Dialect Contest at the Steamer Hotel. Also, Songs for the Harriet with Scolds Bridle, Fleetwood Museum. Also, The Sunday Concert with Ben and Joe Broughton, Sid Kipper and Eric Bogle Band, Marine Hall. Also, The Legion Concert with Gypsy Reel, Tim van Eyken, Cockersdale, Kate Rusby, British Legion Club. Also The Final Concert with Folklore, Eric Bogle Band, Kate Rusby and Tanglefoot, Marine Hall. Also, September 2 and 3, Festival Craft Fair will be open in the Leisure Centre from 9.30am-5.30pm in the Marine Hall. For further details regarding events and tickets ring 01253 872317.

KITE FESTIVAL, Oldham Edge. Sunday August 27. The 7th annual Kite Festival organised by Oldham Arts and Entertainments with the Northern Kite Group. An exciting mix of stunt and display kites, kite making, a balloon launch, circus skills and music and entertainment. Learn how to juggle, walk a tightrope and spin plates and marvel at the performances of the Master Chu's Lion Dance Club chinese dancers. Starts 12 noon to 5pm.

MANCHESTER GAYFEST 2000. Tomorrow The Lavender Ball. A legendary camp extravaganza featuring celebrity guests, the Beverley Sisters and London Gay Men's Chorus. The Palace Hotel, Oxford Street, Manchester. Starts 9pm. Tickets £15 available from Clone Zone, ring 0161 236 1398 or Bridgewater Hall Box Office, ring 0161 907 9000. Also, Sunday, August 27, Vigil 2000 A Celebration of Life. A national vigil marking the commitment to the lives of people affected HIV/Aids. Guests include Michael Cashman, MEP, Joihn McArdle, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Malcolm Henden from Coronation Street and The London Gay Men's Chorus. Castlefield Arena, Manchester. Starts 10pm.

ANNUAL ROCK FESTIVAL, Queens Park, Queens Park Road, Heywood. 12 local bands including slim blue and the avengers, tsuji giri, freefall, handrolled by cubans, red on black, two tone karma, change nothing, waterstone, but emily loved him, august, egg tent, usual suspects and bond, 7 DJs and a lively beer tent. Starts 12 noon to 7.30pm. Sunday August 27.

IRLAM AND CADISHEAD MILLENNIUM FESTIVAL, Prince's Park, Liverpool Road, Irlam. Tonight Souled as Seen, a live music party featuring soul sounds from the 60s and 70s at the Palace in the Park Marquee. Starts 7.30pm. Admission £3 or £10 for a family ticket for adults and 2 children. Also, tomorrow An evening of American Wrestling featuring The Undertaker and Kane, The Palace in the Park Marquee. Show 1 starts at 5.45pm and show 2 at 8pm. Tickets £5 per person or £18 for family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children. Also, tomorrow Party in the Park with the guides, brownies and rainbows from Irlam and Cadishead Guide Association. Ring 0161 775 0678 for details. Also, Sunday August 27, Churches Together celebrate 2000 years of Christianity. Morning Worship Ecumeical Service, 10.30am and 11.30am. Christian Youth Worship with rock bands, 1.30pm-4.30pm at the Palace inthe Park Marquee. Also, Sunday August 27, Jesus My Boy, a onem-man show looking at the life of Jesus seen through the eyes of Joseph at the Palace in the Park Marquee. Starts 7.30pm. Also, Monday August 28. A day of non-stop entertainmnent including a car boot sale, children's triathlon, craft stalls, charity stalls, quad bike rides, assault course, trampolines, face painting and the Cadishead Gardening Association Flower Show. From 9am to 10.30pm. Also, Monday August 28, Grand Firework Display. A feast of fireworks and Asian and Brazilian percussion music from Sambangra. Starts 8pm. Also, Monday August 28, The Boat Band dance the night away with some traditional hip swaying Cajun music at the Palace in the Park Marquee. Starts 9pm.

BROADWALK FESTIVAL, Broadwalk Primary School, Belvedere Road, Salford, A day of fun and activities. Monday August 28. From 12 noon to 3pm.

THE 2000 GREAT NORTHERN BRASS ARTS FESTIVAL, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. Saturday September 2. One of the largest brass band festivals in the world featuring music from The Black Dyke Band, Williams Fairey Band and the Halle Brass. Starting at 12 noon with a concert by The Marple Band and Simon Birkett, with an afternoon concert featuring St Helens Youth Band. The JJB Sports Leyland Band perform with the Internatinal Staff Band Derick Kane at 4.15pm. Tickets available by ringing 0161 907 9000.