Culture vulture Britain: best cultural experiences

New Years Day Parade, London

A ray of light in the gloom, the New Years Day Parade (www.londonparade.co.uk) is one of the biggest events of its kind in the world, featuring marching bands, street performers, classic cars, floats and displays winding their way through the streets, watched by over half a million people.

Burns Night

Suppers and poetry readings all over Scotland (and the world) celebrate the work of the Scottish bard on 25 January, his birthday, with haggis, whisky and poem recitals.

Celtic Connections, Glasgow

Glasgow plays host to a celebration of Celtic music, dance and culture, with participants from all over the globe (www.celticconnections.com).

Jorvik Viking Festival, York

Ancient Viking Jorvik becomes home once again to invaders and horned helmets galore, with the intriguing addition of longship races (www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/viking-festival).

Camden Crawl, London

Your chance to spot the next big thing in the music scene or witness a secret gig by an established act, with 40 of Camdens venues given over to live music for two full days (www.thecamdencrawl.com).

Beltane, Edinburgh

Thousands of revellers climb Edinburghs Calton Hill for this modern revival of a pagan fire festival marking the end of winter (www.beltane.org).

Spirit of Speyside, Dufftown

Based in Dufftown, this is a Scottish festival of whisky, food and music, with five days of art, cooking, distillery tours and outdoor activities (www.spiritofspeyside.com).

World Shakespeare Festival

Global event celebrating the worlds most famous playwright, with dozens of related performances and activities in the UK (www.worldshakespearefestival.org.uk).

Brighton Festival

The lively three-week arts fest (www.brightonfestival.org) takes over the streets of buzzy south-coast resort Brighton and alongside the mainstream performances theres a festival fringe as well.

Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye

The ever-expanding festival of the mind (www.hayfestival.com) brings an intellectual influx to book-town Hay-on-Wye.

Glyndebourne, East Sussex

Open-air festival of world-class opera in the pastoral surroundings of Glyndebourne House in East Sussex (www.glyndebourne.com).

Download Festival, Derbyshire

Expect ear-splitting feedback and fists thrust aloft at this heavy-metal fest in Donington Park, Derbyshire (www.downloadfestival.co.uk).

Trooping the Colour, London

Military bands and bear-skinned grenadiers march down Londons Whitehall in this martial pageant (www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk) to mark the monarchs birthday.

Royal Ascot, Berkshire

Its hard to tell which matters more, the fashion or the fillies, at this highlight of the horse-racing year in Berkshire (www.ascot.co.uk).

Glastonbury Festival

Glastonbury (www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk) is one of the countrys favourite pop and rock gatherings, invariably muddy and still a rite of passage for every self-respecting British teenager.

Meltdown Festival, London

Londons Southbank Centre hands over the curatorial reigns to a legend of contemporary music (such as David Bowie, Morrissey or Patti Smith) to create a program of concerts, talks and films (meltdown.southbankcentre.co.uk).

Pride, London

Highlight of the gay and lesbian calendar, a technicolour street parade heads through Londons West End.

Glasgow Festivals

Scotlands second city hosts a major celebration of music and arts (www.westendfestival.co.uk).

T in the Park, Balado

World-class acts since 1994 ensure this major music festival (www.tinthepark.com) is Scotlands answer to Glastonbury.

Latitude Festival, Southwold

Latitude (www.latitudefestival.co.uk) is a small but fast-growing gathering near the seaside town of Southwold, with theatre, cabaret, art and literature, plus top names from the alternative music scene.

International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen

A week-long festival of international folk music at Llangollen, with an eclectic fringe and big-name evening concerts (www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk).

Womad, South Cotswolds

Roots and world music take centre stage at this festival (www.womad.org) in a country park in the south Cotswolds.

Truck, Oxfordshire

Indie music festival in Oxfordshire, known for its eclectic acts (www.thisistruck.com).