This week's new events

Science Festival , Manchester Best don a pair of protective goggles if you intend to make a visit to Manchester in the next week, as scientists have been let loose in the city to experiment, explore and interact with the public. It should all be safe and family-friendly really, as over 150 events with a scientific theme take place across Greater Manchester, including the Bang Goes The Theory Live Experience, DNA testing to find Olympic champions and the chance to stitch together a knitted solar system. Arts mix with science in several venues, with a cinematic portrait of the polar region backed by the chamber music of Manchester Camerata being one highlight. Various venues, Sat to 30 Oct Iain Aitch Big Gay Lifestyle Show , London Somebody should let Linda Barker know. The Big Gay Lifestyle Show has landed and it looks set to steal her "lifestyle" crown. This year the event hits Covent Garden, with a heady mix of high-camp and meaningful support for the gay community. Everybody's favourite air hostess, Pam Ann, will compere the main stage, and guests include Chrissy Darling (hosting gay bingo), cabaret performer Dusty O, and hip-hop dance company Slum Civilians. Alongside all this, exhibitors at the Lifestyle Villages will do their best to separate you from your pink pound. Stalls cover everything from parenting to careers, and travel to interiors. Tell Queen Linda: she can come but she'll have to leave her stencils at home. Grand Connaught Rooms, WC2, Sat Clare Considine Inspiration , Glasgow Not just for children, the success of Glasgow's Inspiration arts festival, which is now in its 14th year, lies in a programme that can appeal to all ages. Music, theatre, storytelling, film, photography and puppetry all feature, with highlights including Clydebuilt Theatre's magical tale of the undersea world around a lighthouse, Diving Belle, the Tropical Island Sensory Tour in Glasgow Green's Winter Gardens greenhouse and the Africa In Motion film festival. Various venues, Mon to 4 Nov Katrina Dixon Out & about Feast , Conwy, Sat & Sun A cluster of festivals in one, with digital arts, food and drink, ecological living and digital arts all to explore, plus children's entertainment, poetry, music and more. Various venues Word Up! London, Sat to 24 Oct Family-friendly festival with names such as Jacqueline Wilson and free workshops and activities including storytelling and games, all kicking off with a carnival procession. Alleyn's School, Townley Road, SE22 Illuminating York Festival , Wed to 29 Oct Digital arts graphics projected on a massive scale onto and within buildings, plus talks, 1940s Pathé film clips, Victorian gothic theatre and torchlit tours among the added entertainment. Various venues Arts And Market Festival , Chesterfield, Thu to 29 Oct Hardeep Singh Kohli presents his cookery-based comedy show amid a wealth of theatre, dance, art, talks, markets, music and children's events. Various venues