Notting Hill Carnival

While the infamous Notting Hill Carnival is on our list of must-go-to things in London every year, what we’re getting really excited about are all the brilliant pre and post parties that are going on around the city. Kicking off proceedings nicely tonight, one of our favourite London gastro pubs, Paradise by Way of Kensal Green, are hosting a Sunday Soul carnival warm-up party, which starts at 8pm. Saturday will see The Paradise Show, Sunday the Ninja Tune and if you’re not flagging, the Deviation carnival party on Monday. Over at the Scala in King’s Cross on Saturday night, there’ll be an Urban Nerds carnival special featuring Jackmaster, True Tiger, Uncle Dugs and Champion. Sunday will see the brilliant Secretsundaze host their infamous party at the Roundhouse and Proud galleries Camden, featuring Ben UFO, Four Tet and Giles Smith. All in all, it’s set to be a cracking weekend in the capital.

Address: Paradise by Way of Kensal Green; 19 Kilburn Lane, Kensal Green, W10 4AE; Scala; 275 Pentonville Road, King's Cross, N1 9NL; Proud Camden; the Horse Hospital, Chalk Farm Road NW1 8AH

Manchester Pride

There’ll be similar all-out partying going on up in Manchester to mark the last few days of Manchester Pride. The big weekend starts on Friday and doesn’t stop until Monday. There’ll be village markets selling everything from organic clothing to handmade jewellery, theatre productions and a huge range of art exhibitions. Don’t miss out on the huge parade, which will fill the streets of Manchester on Saturday at 1pm and the moving candlelit vigil in the Sackville Gardens that will end the Manchester Pride for 2012 on Monday evening.

Address: Throughout the city; tickets: Manchesterpride.com.

Guilty Pleasures Cinema Party

If you’re in the mood to party, then look no further than Guilty Pleasures. They are in their own words an ‘unashamedly glorious all-singing, all-dancing renouncement of pop music and an antidote to modern-day clubbing fatigue’, which sounds right up our street. This August Bank Holiday is no exception; they’ll be heading to the Troxy to host their very first cinema party. Desperately Seeking Susan is the film of choice and will be taking place centre stage, followed by performers, dancers and DJs. There’ll be plenty of eating, drinking and merriment, and a whole lot of Madonna – dancing shoes at the ready.

Address: Troxy, 490 Commercial Road, E1 0HX; tickets: Guiltypleasures.co.uk.

Leeds Festival

Fingers crossed we’ve escaped the torrential rain for the summer, and may just be able to enjoy this festival with a spot of sunshine. Leading the impressive line-up will be the Foo Fighters, The Black Keys and the Kaiser Chiefs on the Friday night, The Cure, Paramore and Bombay Bicycle Club on the Saturday night and Kasabian, Florence and the Machine and the Vaccines on the Sunday night. All that remains now is to get our best festival outfits and beauty looks sorted. Perfect.

Address: Bramham Park, Leeds; tickets: Leedsfestival.co.uk.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival Closing Events

Coming to the end of what has been another epic month of comedy, dance, cabaret and plenty of music in Edinburgh, the Fringe Festival will be going out with a bang this month. With an almost endless amount of things to pick from over the August Bank Holiday weekend, we’ll be stopping in at the 150th International Photographic Exhibition and watching some of the a cappella 24hours, a 24-hour play which tells 24 life stories through sound, improvisation and image. At the other end of the spectrum, there’s a Midsummer Night’s Dream being performed in the Assembly George Square and in the same venue afterwards, there’ll be rock music at the rock music at the 27 Club. Just the place for a late-night dram.

Address: Throughout the city; tickets: Edfringe.com.

Like our pick of the best ideas for the August Bank Holiday but thinking of getting away? Check out our pick of the best August Bank Holiday getaways.