A wide selection of festivals will bring international sights, sounds and flavours to England this summer, from Rio-style carnivals to French fetes and an Arabic bazaar. We've picked a handful of highlights but want to find out about more. If you've heard of others across the UK then let us know on our Been there site.
London
Latin America: Carnaval de Pueblo, Camberwell
Latino spirit comes to South London's Burgess Park this summer in the shape of Carnaval de Pueblo – Europe's largest outdoor Latin American event. Ok, so it may not have the guaranteed sun or beach backdrop, but it will have the dancers, drumming and Brazilian party vibe - Rio's world-famous Mangueira Samba School are sending 12 drummers to set the rhythm. A parade kicks off at noon with floats representing cultures from across the region, from Bolivia to Peru, Colombia to Cuba. Music will range from reggaeton to samba and Latin hip-hop on several stages, and you can sample regionally-themed food and drink.
• 2 August, 10am – 9.30pm carnavaldelpueblo.co.uk.
South Asia: London Mela 2009, Ealing
The cream of South Asian music and culture will transform Ealing's Gunnersbury Park in one of the biggest celebrations of Asian music and culture in Europe. London Mela 2009 looks set to be even bigger than last year's event - which attracted over 50,000 visitors. The musical line-up will include Asian pop to Muslim hip-hop, Bhangra and Bollywood hits as well as respected classical Indian musicians. Away from the music there will be stalls selling traditional food and crafts, traditional dance displays, and circus acts.
• 10 August, londonmela.org.
Italy: Our Lady of Mount Carmel procession, Clerkenwell
Discover a hidden pocket of Italian tradition in the heart of London's "Little Italy". Each year in July the procession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel draws thousands to the streets around St Peter's in Clerkenwell - the oldest Italian church in London. The event dates back to at least 1896, making it the first outdoor Roman Catholic manifestation of faith following Henry the VIII's Reformation. Now it is the only event of its kind held in London, featuring decorated floats, incense, robed priests and food stalls serving delicious Italian cuisine.
• 12 July, italianchurch.org.uk/Procession.
China: London Dragon Boat Festival, Royal Albert Docks
The Dragon Boat Festival is the largest cultural event in the Chinese calendar after New Year. Traditionally fiercely competitive, today's dragon boat races are a more friendly affair. Forty boats, each about 30ft long and decorated with a dragon head and a tail will take to the water at London's Albert Docks – a drummer keeping time in each. On shore there will be Kung Fu demonstrations, lion dancing, children's face painting and Chinese food and drinks stalls.
• 28 June, 12-5pm, Festival website.
Ibiza: South West Four, Clapham Common
If the recession and weak pound are putting you off a hedonistic splurge in Ibiza then jump on the staycation bangwagon and get your clubbing fix on south London's Clapham Common. South West Four brings together the world's top DJ's – many of them staple names at Ibiza's clubs - playing a mixture of trance, hard house, techno and electro. This year's line-up includes Sasha, John Digweed, David Guetta, Eric Prydz and Armin van Buuren. Talk of a warm summer might even add some Ibiza-style sun to the party. Tickets costs £45, about the same as entry to just one of Ibiza's top clubs.
• Sat 29 August, 12 -9pm southwestfour.com
Liverpool, Durham and Lancashire
North Africa and the Middle East: Arabic Weekender, Liverpool
All the sights and sounds of an Arabic bazaar will be recreated at this event that forms part of the Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival. On top of sampling the tastes and smells of traditional Artabic cooking you can catch films, poetry and storytelling. Highlights from the musical line-up include a double-bill at Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall from celebrated Syrian musician Abdullah Chhadeh and Anglo Egyptian singer Natacha Atlas, and a performance from Palestinian hip-hop group Ramallah Underground at the Bluecoat. The festival runs for three days and is the only one of its kind in the country.
• 17-19 July arabicartsfestival.co.uk
Asia and the Caribbean: The People's Carnival, Oldham
Sounds from the West Indies, the Caribbean and Asia collide during this two-day festival held in Alexandra Park in Oldham. The carnival parade kicks off at noon on the Saturday, with typical costumed dancers and bands. At the same time an eclectic mix of acts will take to the main stage - treat your ears to everything from traditional Indian music to modern Asian beats, reggae, ragga, soca and mainstream RnB.
• 27-28 June oldhamcarnival.org.uk
Just about everywhere: Billingham's International Folklore Festival
For those with truly global interests, Billingham's International Folklore Festival casts its musical net far and wide - it's motto proclaims that it is "where the cultures of the world unite". Folk performers come together from the Cook Islands, Thailand, Egypt, Russia and Mongolia and there's a strong eastern European flavour from Poland and Slovakia. The festival was formed in 1965, when only Austria, Estonia and Hungary were represented. Now there are 400 artists expected to perform traditional songs and costumed dance. If you fancy trying your hand at the latter ... there are classes being run on site. There's a great video archive here.
• 1-8 August, billinghamfestival.co.uk
