Charity

Taking over the West End of Glasgow each year, the festival treats the ears to a great musical line-up, tantalises all the senses with a carnival and delves into the creative depths of local studios and exhibitions with the Hidden Lane Festival.

If you're going to break yourself by running further and faster than the human body was made to go, you may as well do it somewhere picturesque – and Edinburgh is certainly that (if a little windy at times). Participants run for a variety of charities.

Get fit, enjoy the views and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support by walking through the lovely setting of Holyrood Park on either a 3-mile or an 8-mile route. Suitable for the whole family (except for Rover).

A scaled down version of the BBC's smash hit show, with Oxford-based dignitaries and celebrities donning their dancing shoes for a six week tuition period, culminating in this show where they demonstrate how well (or poorly) they got on. All in aid of Vale House.

A fun day out to raise money for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation with a Teddy Toddle, fairground attractions and the chance to meet some of your favourite telly and movie stars.

Get naked and run into the sea at this national skinny dipping event in aid of Marie Curie. Hot drinks and barbecue afterwards. Exact location will be revealed on registration.

The Palace's State Rooms play host to this year's Christmas fair, in aid of Cancer Research UK. There's plenty to browse, including a range of cards, gifts, decorations and food to get your Christmas shopping off to a good start.

Comedy for a good cause.

Beat cancer with beats. Music from The Guvnors, York Turnpike Trust and The Supermodels alongside a special guest.

This 10 mile bike ride along the scenic Formartine and Buchan Way is suitable for all ages and abilities and is in aid of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. Booking is essential.

Teams of between two and six can take on the Yomp – that is, one of either 22, 36.5 or 52 miles to be undertaken in just 24 hours. Along the way there's a pasta party (to keep energy up) and mid walk fireworks, plus a well-deserved massage and slap up meal at the finish line. The event is to raise money for The Soldiers…

A load of comedians, including Billy Kirkwood, How Do I Get Up There and Mark Nelson, give up their time to help raise money for Scotland's leading dementia charity.

Greg Pearson, Six Storeys High, Jack Rowberry play live plus acoustic sets from Raff (OK Social Club) and Steven (The 10:04s) all raising funds for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres.

Climb Ben Nevis and raise money for Yorkhill Family House, Glasgow. All transport, meals and accommodation provided.

Walk all 4406 feet of Britain's highest mountain in aid of Scottish Epilepsy.

A 5km fun run with charity partners available for those wishing to raise sponsorship for a good cause.