what’s hot in bmibaby destinations throughout June and July

June

1-4 Perpignan, France

Eclectic singer-songwriter Souad Massi heads a diverse line-up for the city’s Ida y Vuelta Festival. Algeria-born but living in Paris, she has a classical background, sang with a fl amenco band and has been compared to Joan Baez but says AC/DC were her main infl uence! Catch her and others at the fi esta of street parties and music. www.casamusicale.net

15-19 Alicante, Spain

Processions and plays mark the Catholic festival of Corpus Christi in most Spanish towns, but the village of Castrillo de Murcia celebrates in a slightly stranger fashion... with a Baby-Jumping Festival! Since 1620, grown men dressed as the devil (“El Colacho”) have leapt over babies in a ritual that’s said to ward off evil spirits for the rest of the year.

10 Cardiff, Wales

Hmm, Man v Horse? Doesn’t sound like a fair contest to us, but in Llanwrtyd Wells, about 50 miles from Cardiff, what started off as a drunken bet is now an annual challenge between the two species. Our bet’s on the four-legged runners, but they have actually come off second-best on more than one occasion! www.green-events.co.uk




17-18 Faro, Portugal

The Black Eyed Peas and James “You’re Beautiful” Blunt perform at this year’s Algarve Summer Festival, together with ex-Sporty Spice Melanie C and a slew of local acts. The feel-good event takes place for the seond year running at the Algarve Stadium over the weekend of June 17 and 18. www.visitalgarve.pt

23 Perpignan, France

Celebrate the summer solstice at Perpignan’s Festa Major. At midnight on June 22, a fl ame is brought to the top of a sacred mountain, divided and taken by runners from all over Catalonia, who cross the mountains and light village fi res throughout the night. Its arrival in Perpignan on June 23 is greeted by thousands of people and midsummer merriness that includes traditional music, pyrotechnics and sardane dancing around the fi re. www.perpignantourisme.com

28 London, UK

It may be more famous for heads that rolled rather than rock’n’roll, but the Tower of London is again set to be transformed into a brilliant outdoor music venue. The Tower Music Festival kicks off with the Pet Shop Boys on 28 June, and continues over eight more nights until 14 July, with acts like Jamie Cullum and the godfather of soul himself, James Brown. www.towermusicfestival.co.uk

29 Knock, Ireland

Join more than 1,000 walkers for four days of rambling amidst stunning scenery, at the Castlebar International Four Days Walks. There’s no competition – just complete the very do-able trek each day and then enjoy the fun, including Irish music and dancing, and a “Blister Ball” on the fi nal night. www.castlebar4dayswalks.com

July

14 Nice, France

Oooh, aaah! Head on down to Cannes to make lots of silly noises as you watch the sky explode at the International Festival of Pyrotechnical Art. Over six nights (14, 21 and 29 July, 7, 15 and 24 August), French, British, Spanish, Canadian and Italian teams will fi ght it out in a spectacular riot of colours and music. www.festival-pyrotechnique-cannes.com




15Paris, France

Forget scarves and football shirts – a trip to the Stade de France in Paris at this time of the year requires towels, fl ipfl ops and swimwear! For one week, the stadium is transformed into a huge beach, with more than 9,000 square metres of sand and every beachside activity you could want... even sailing! www.stadefrance.fr

15 London, UK

High heels meet high jumps at the Drag Olympics at London’s Way Out Club. Divas and drag queens will battle it out to be crowned Olympic champion of this fun competition… and maybe provide some fashion inspiration for London’s real Olympic athletes in 2012 along the way! www.thewayoutclub.com

25 Birmingham, UK

Chopin, Schumann and Shostakovich are all on the programme of the 25th Lichfi eld Festival, as well as Cuban a cappella and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Lichfi eld

Cathedral will be transformed into Britain’s oldest cinema for screenings of silent Charlie Chaplin fi lms, accompanied by live music by Carl Davis and the RLPO. www.lich.#64257; eldfestival.org

8-16 Alicante, Spain

There can’t be many communities that choose to celebrate a festival by holding a bull run in the local harbour, but the Valencian town of Dénia is one of them. The annual extravaganza culminates in an extraordinary sight – the only way to escape the oncoming bull is to jump from the harbour walls into the sea! www.denia.net



29 Birmingham, UK

The two biggest names in action sports history – skate superstar Tony Hawk (left) and his BMX counterpart Mat Hoffman – will perform every trick in the book at the National Adventure Sports Show 2006 (NASS). Held at the NEC Birmingham, the two-day event will also feature the World Freestyle Moto-X Champs, and some of the best BMX, skate and inline competitors in the world. www.nass2006.com