1. Edinburgh Mela
Leith Links, Saturday and Sunday

People from across the nation are being invited to gather and celebrate more than 20 years of the mela, Scotland’s biggest celebration of world music, dance, fashion, food and family fun in the heart of Edinburgh. Having established itself as an essential part of the arts landscape of the city and across the country, families can look forward to Swaryatra on Saturday, a live journey of enchanting Bollywood numbers, as well as Sankofa Beats, a collective of African dance and melodies. Sunday will see Circus Raj wow crowds with their elite set of street performances all the way from from Rajasthan, as well as the loud and energetic form of Punjabi folk dance, bhangra. There will also be a dedicated kid’s zone, and more food and fashion stalls that you could hope for.

Event is free. Visit edinburgh-mela.co.uk for the full programme.

2. Midstock Festival
Dalkeith Country Park, tomorrow and Saturday

Bringing together all things local, including music, food and drink, the festival kicks off Dalkeith’s week-long celebration of the Midlothian arts and cultural scene. The event will see families and music-lovers gather to enjoy bars serving Scottish ales and local food, a family fun day and headline acts. An eclectic mix of daytime activities, big-name rock bands and the best of upcoming Scottish talent at the self-proclaimed “Scotland’s biggest small festival.” Legendary rockers Feeder headline on Saturday. 

Ticket prices vary, plus booking fees.Head to midstockfestival.com to purchase and to see the complete lineup.

3. Lisa McHugh
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, tomorrow

The Glaswegian country music star brings her sensational tour to her home city. As one of the few women in the Irish country music scene, McHugh is famed for her lively and fun way of performing, guaranteed to get fans to their feet for a night to remember. Her most recent “#Country” reached number three in the Irish charts. Daniel O’Donnell labelled her “the young country artist who has dazzled the Irish country music scene with her style, charm and charisma.” Audiences will be treated to the new singles “High Cotton” and “Satisfy You” among many other hits from her back catalogue. 

Tickets are £21.50 and can be booked via lisamchughmusic.com/tour. McHugh then moves on to Howden Park Centre in Livingston on Saturday, then Blairgowrie Town Hall in Perth and Kinross on Sunday.

4. August: Osage County
Dundee Rep, until September 16

Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer and Tony award-winning play – which was also turned into a major film in 2013 starring Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts and Ewan McGregor – had its Scottish premiere on Tuesday. It follows alcoholic patriarch Beverly Weston who mysteriously goes missing, after which the estranged members of the Weston family, ravaged by addiction, illness and deceit, reluctantly return to their Midwest home. Confined to their country estate, lies and family secrets surface eventually bringing tensions to boiling point under the scorching Oklahoma sun. 

Tickets are priced between £12 and £25, plus booking fee. Purchase at dundeerep.co.uk.

5. Jocktoberfest
Black Isle Brewery, Munlochy, tomorrow and Saturday

A family friendly festival with live music and some fantastic, Scottish beer, the weekend brings together music and food, all with a Germanic twist. The event is organised by Black Isle Organic which was established in 1998 by then unemployed beer lover David Gladwin who prides himself on making world-class beer using barley and hops grown on organic farms, without the use of destructive chemicals. Tickets for the event cost £35, while under-13s go free. Pass includes camping from 4pm tomorrow until 11am on Sunday. 

Visit blackislebrewery.com/jocktoberfest for more information.

6. Blas Festival
Various venues, Highlands & Islands, tomorrow until September 9

Blas celebrates the culture of traditional music and Gaelic in the Highlands by honouring the language, song and culture of the area over the nine days. By creating opportunities for young musicians to play and learn with leading artists in traditional music and Gaelic, a packed programme of Scottish and European acts will bring ceilidhs, plays, poetry and dance across several venues. Prices and times vary depending on the event. 

Call the box office on 0844 888 991 for more information, or visit blas-festival.com.

7. Divas Unleashed
Eastwood Park Theatre, Glasgow, today

A tribute evening with the best divas in pop, the first-class professional cast are ready to take audiences through songs from some of the best worldwide female artists. From Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston to Tina Turner and Britney Spears, the show guarantees to have pop fans dancing in the aisles. Starring Sarah Galbraith from Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera, Lauren Ellis-Steele from Wicked, Jennifer Neil from Legally Blonde and Hairspray’s Natalie Arle-Toyne. 

Tickets cost £13 with £11 for concessions. The show then moves on to the Byre Theatre in St Andrews tomorrow and Falkirk Town Hall on Saturday. 

8. Braemar Gathering
Princess Royal & Duke of Fife Memorial Park, Saturday

With the Queen as patron, the Gathering is renowned for being one of the the most famous and best Highland Games anywhere. Families can look forward to a day of traditional games, piping, dancing alongside throwing the hammer, tossing the caber, running races, tug of war and putting the stone. 

Ticket prices vary and can be purchased online at braemargathering.org or by calling 01339741098.

9. 1950s Revival
Bo’ness Station, Saturday

The Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway rocks and rolls its way back to the 1950s with the first retro event of its kind at the popular attraction. Visitors are invited to get in to the spirit of the day in costume, where music will be provided by Scotland’s own The Tennessee Hotshots plus guests Emma, Rusty and Jezebel. DJs Tojo and Dean will be spinning discs at the station and Anne Nelson’s Jump n Jive team will be on hand to teach basic dance steps. There will also be dance demos and stalls, face-painting and vintage cars.

Standard train fares and museum admission apply. Head to bkrailway.co.uk to book.

10. Big Vern ‘N’ The Shootahs
Carlton Hotel, Prestwick, Friday

Classic soul band bringing their feel-good sound to South Ayrshire where they will play well-known covers with a twist of soul/funk. Having been rocking audiences since 1989, with previous gigs including the World Cup Celebrations at Glasgow Green, the powerhouse nine-piece recently returned from playing in, of all places, Malaysia. The 
night is raising funds for local charity Hansel which provides personalised support and social care for those with learning disabilities. 

Tickets are £35 and include a three-course dinner and arrival drink. Book by calling 01563 831428 or email sheila.mclean@hansel.org.uk.

DON'T MISS...

CARVE CARRBRIDGE 2017
Carrbridge Playing Field, Saturday

The annual chainsaw carving competition will see top carvers come together once again from around the world for the Claymore trophy and prize money. A day of family events with live music, activities, games, stalls, food and drink. 

Tickets are £6 for adults, £2 for under-16s, while under-fives go free. Visit carvecarrbridge.com