Manchester (www.visitmanchester.com/Parts4.aspx?PartId=456&ExperienceId=10)
Queer Up North (www.queerupnorth.com/),
12th – 25th May 2009
Europe's leading, and some say funnest, gay arts festival has become something of a Manchester institution with events happening at venues across the city. Expect dance, comedy, performance accompanied by a fair few parties and special one-nighters to accompany programme highlights.

London (www.visitlondon.com/people/gay/)
London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival 2009 (www.bfi.org.uk/llgff), 25th March – 8th April 2009
What could easily turn into a series of very worthy films somehow manages to be more of a party than anything. Kicking off with a huge gala opening of a movie as yet unannounced on 25th March (followed by a launch party) the festival continues featuring serious documentaries, comedies, dramas and shorts gathered from all over the world.

Scotland (www.cometoscotland.com/) 
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe (www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk), 7th - 31st August 2009
The largest arts festival in the world always has plenty to offer on the gay front with dance and comedy, film and TV, both from established artists and newcomers. The festival is huge, the town not so much so if you’re thinking of dipping your toe in, you’d better organise accommodation as soon as you can.

Wales (www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=47766605107)
The Cardiff Festival (www.cardiff-festival.com), 2nd July – 31st August 2009
Pick carefully through the programme of the Cardiff Festival and you're bound to find something of interest, even if it's just last year's men in tight tights swinging about on tall ships at the WOW at the Waterfront event. The Fringe events on 22nd and 23rd July probably feature the most promising selections.