Cruinniú na nÓg Jun 10: Creative Ireland’s national day of creativity with free events and activities for children and young people all over Ireland. cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie One of the UK’s greatest free celebrations of the natural world, the Festival of Nature features hundreds of free events, usually including lectures, tours and film screenings on the subjects of science, natural history and the environment. The Seven Sisters at Coney Island, Sligo, for Cairde Sligo Arts Festival 2021. Photograph: Emilija Jefremova Lumiere, the UK’s biggest light festival, will return in 2021. The biennial illuminating event will allow visitors to see the city transformed by an array of eye-catching light displays, with art installations giving a whole new look to architecture and public spaces.

Cork Jazz Festival Oct 27-30: Ireland’s biggest jazz event, with big concerts, small sessions and Jazz Festival Club at the Metropole. guinnessjazzfestival.com NOVEMBER May is Whisky Month, usually taking in a diverse range of events ranging from whisky tasting sessions to behind-the-scenes experiences and distillery tours.Insider tip: head to the outer space area when other action winds down to immerse yourself in otherworldly audiovisual artwork The annual New Year’s Eve Winter Carnival sees the Newcastle Ice Queen and her entourage of local community participants parading through the streets of Newcastle, culminating in an early-evening fireworks display. St David is the patron saint of Wales and this day is a celebration of all things Welsh. Expect plenty of red dragons adorning Welsh flags, as well as parades of daffodils, leeks and flags of St David himself. Traditionally, the capital of Cardiff holds a National St David's Day Parade, but this year the event will be celebrated with a 72-hour digital festival from 26 February-1 March, featuring events ranging from yoga and music to cookalongs and celebrity appearances.

Britain’s fastest-growing cycling festival is held every year in the beautiful Tweed Valley. Past years have boasted three main races: Vallelujah, TweedLove International Enduro and Expo, and King and Queen of the Hill: Scottish Open Champs. Or, there’s the option for riders to enter all three – a challenge known as the Triple Crown. Insider tip: remember that the location of the festival, in Heaton Park, is a good five miles or so north of Manchester city centre, so plan your transport there well in advance Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival Apr 27-May 7: Belfast festival with music, comedy, theatre, art, literature. Including Ron Sexmith, Sister Sledge, Tim Key, Kate Rusby. cqaf.com line-up: Elton John, Arctic Monkeys, Guns ‘n’ Roses are headlining, alongside performances from Lizzo and Lewis CapaldiWatch some of the world’s top male and female golfers at their best during this major golf tournament on the European Tour. What is it: Taking place on the Belladrum estate near Inverness, this music and arts festival has rapidly grown in popularity since launching in 2004. Follow one mile of magical illuminations for a big helping of festive cheers at Syon Park’s Enchanted Woodland, one of West London’s highlight winter events.

Around 100 Highland games and gatherings take place in Scotland each year. Each one has a mix of piping, athletic events and Highland dancing. Explore the palace’s lavishly furnished State Rooms – where the Queen and members of the Royal Family receive and entertain guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions – and admire some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection. Insider tip: the 24-hour music licence means you can operate on your own time schedule, whatever that might be Cork International Film Festival Nov 9-19: The 68th CIFF, Ireland’s first and largest film festival, showcasing the latest and best Irish and international features and shorts, plus classic films in a themed retrospective, culinary cinema, Green Screen, Guilty Pleasures, and film strands for family, schools and mental wellbeing. corkfilmfest.org

This day is in honour of Wales’ patron saint of lovers, the Welsh version of St Valentine’s Day. The day exists due to St Dwynwen’s own experiences with lost love and her later commitment to becoming a nun.