1. Merchant City Festival
Merchant City, Glasgow, Saturday until July 30

A centrepiece of the city’s summer calendar, the nine-day event is back to present some of the best of Scottish and international entertainment with a packed programme of street arts, music, theatre, food and drink, visual art, film, comedy, dance, fashion and family activities. A colourful carnival procession will kick the festival off on Saturday at noon from Cathedral Precinct, as food vendors take over the Merchant City’s streets. 

Visit merchantcityfestival.com to see the complete programme.

2. Dunedin International Folk Dance Festival
Various locations, until Saturday

The biennial event is back as organisers invite folk dance groups from across Europe and different backgrounds to meet, learn new dances and join in social activities. Scotland, Spain and Croatia will be dancing in King Edward Street in Perth today, then on to Anstruther Harbour. Tomorrow, Scotland, Spain, Croatia, China and Poland will dancing in a gala performance at Church Hill Theatre in Edinburgh. In a final gathering on Saturday, Scotland, Spain, Croatia and Poland will dance together in the Queen’s Garden at Stirling Castle.

Event prices vary. Visit dunedindancers.org.uk for more details.

3. Bricklive
SEC, Glasgow, today until Sunday

The world’s best Lego builders will gather in the city to welcome international professional and amateur displays, special guests, a live stage and plenty of have-a-go themed areas for all fans of the coloured-brick to enjoy. There will be a range of features at the event for all of the family, including brick pits containing tonnes of Lego pieces to play with, and eye-popping feature builds showcasing some of the most astonishing creations from the world’s best builders. 

Ticket prices start from £21.75, including administration fee. Search the event at theticketfactory.com to book.

4. Music at Paxton Festival
Scottish Borders, until Sunday

The 10-day summer festival of top-class international chamber music in Paxton House on the banks of the River Tweed ends this weekend. Daily concerts will offer an intimate, friendly and relaxed experience and take place in Paxton House’s splendid Picture Gallery, an idyllic setting for chamber music. Saturday will see the Elias Quartet make their Paxton debut with two pillars of the chamber music repertoire: Schubert’s String Quartet in D minor Death and the Maiden and Schumann’s Piano Quintet. On Sunday, renowned cellist Pieter Wispelwey returns to complete the set of Suites for Solo Cello by J S Bach. Benjamin Frith also brings a lyrical programme of Scarlatti, Mendelssohn, Chopin and Stanford in the morning. 

Ticket prices vary. Visit musicatpaxton.co.uk.

5. Darvel Music Company Concert
Darvel Town Hall, East Ayrshire, Saturday

Darvel has always punched above its weight as a live music destination, and this not-for-profit community organisation has organised a show which will feature Austin, Texas blues guitarist and vocalist Hamilton Loomis who will be aided by a stellar cast of US-based funk and blues musicians. Critically-acclaimed Scottish band James Brown is Annie and soul legend Hamish Stuart of Average White Band will both take to the stage as the support act. 

Tickets are £22.50, plus booking fee. Head to tickets-scotland.com

6. Glasgow Canal Festival
Scottish Canals, Glasgow, Saturday

The first event will see the Forth and Clyde Canal between Applecross Basin and Speirs Wharf burst into life between 11am and 5pm with street theatre, a street food village, canoe sessions, guided cycle tours, craft workshop, heritage and wildlife tours, live music and a behind-the-scenes look inside local landmarks. The highlight of the day will be the dragon boat race which will see adventurers get behind the oars and battling to become the first Glasgow canal dragon boat race champion. 

Visit scottishcanals.co.uk to know more. All activities are free unless stated otherwise.

7. The National Whisky Festival
Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Saturday

After a successful debut event in Glasgow in January, the festival comes to the capital where visitors can expect over 30 tasting stands representing the best drams from around the world, in-depth masterclasses led by whisky experts, live music, food stalls from local restaurants and a bottle shop selling fine whiskies to take home. Tickets cost £44, with booking fee, and give entry to one of two sessions on the day. A Glencairn whisky glass is included in the price. Event is strictly for the over-18 crowd.

Visit nationalwhiskyfestival.scot to book.

8. Scot Lit Fest
Various locations, tomorrow to Sunday

A celebration of Scottish literature, this virtual book festival, which launched lastyear, returns to bring a host of the best and brightest authors straight to readers, wherever in the world they are. In conversation with Asif Khan, director of the Scottish Poetry Library, Scottish poet Kathleen Jamie will kick the event off in a conversation which will be posted on to YouTube on Friday. Judy Murray and Estelle Maskame will also take part. 

Visit scotlitfest.scot to know more and to see the complete programme.

9. The Rod Stewart Story
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Saturday

Celebrating the life of music legend Sir Rod Stewart, this brand new production lives the life and career of one of rock’s greatest icons. Starring Paul Metcalfe and featuring a critically-acclaimed live band, the show takes the audience through the singer’s incredible story, from his humble beginnings through to worldwide superstardom and record sales in excess of 100 million. Tickets are selling fast, and start from £19.50, plus booking fee. 

Visit aberdeenperformingarts.com to purchase. The show will return to Scotland at the Hamilton Town House on September 20 and Inverness Eden Court on 21.

10. The Lying Kind
Tron Theatre, Glasgow, until Saturday

Two police constables have one last duty to fulfil before they finish up on Christmas Eve: to break some terrible news to an elderly local couple. However, fearing the shock of the news will be too much for the frail pair to bear, the two colleagues contemplate whether the
couple would be better off not knowing. In a hilarious “pitch black farce,” the hapless constables come to realise how much better off they would be had they not come to the attention of a lynching organised by a group of anti-paedophile vigilantes. Contains some strong language. 

Tickets cost between £8 and £16 and can be purchased by calling the box office on 0141 552 4267.

DON'T MISS...

Golden Fun Day
Corrow Farm, Lochgoilhead, Saturday

ARGYLL Holidays is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a fete, including barbecue, face-painting and sheep-shearing. Dogs are welcome for a Crufts tournament. Adventurous guests can also try their hand at archery, quad biking or Highland Games.

Entry is free. Email anne.livingstone@argyllholidays.com to register for Crufts or Highlands Games.