From bug hunts and nature walks to building butterfly and bird feeders and making dens in the woods, there are plenty of wildlife activities taking place across all Bolton’s parks.

Visit the Bolton Life website for more details.

Calling all Bug Hunters

Queens Park, Bolton

July 17, 2010

Free admission

1pm to 3pm

See how many creepy crawlies you can find in the park’s nature area. Meet Queens Park Lodge, off Park Road.

Bolton Bazaar

Saturday, July 17

Free admission

music, food and fashion will be on display at this annual celebration of Bolton’s diversity which has become one of the most exciting events in the calendar.

This year a big TV has been added to Victoria Square.

Moses Gate Country Fair

Sunday, July 18

Free admission

11am - 5pm

An Evening with Strictly Come Dancing’s Brian Fortuna and Kristina Rihanoff

Monday, July 19

Tickets £22.50 available via the Albert Halls box office.

Archaeology Day

Saturday, July 24

Free admission

Celebrate National Archaeology Week at Bolton Museum as Vanessa Oakden, finds liaison officer, will be on hand to identify pre-history finds dating up to the 1700s. There will also be family friendly object handling sessions, and families can have a go at archaeology word searches, take part in archaeology “rubbish bin” games, and fill in some object recording sheets.

Summer Adventures

Moses Gate Country Park, Hall Lane, Farnworth

July 29, August 4, August 12

Free admission

1pm to 3pm

Come and join in the dressing up, themed games and activities. Suitable for 6 to 12-year-olds accompanied by an adult.

Booking essential

Ring 01204 334343 to book a place. Meet at Rock Hall Visitor Centre

Howfenfest

Central Park, Westhoughton

Saturday, July 24

Free until 4pm/£4 for evening session (ticket only)

Local music, family events and a fairground promises to make the third year of this well-respected one day festival at Westhoughton’s Central Park another success. Music starts from noon with free family entertainment, before a showcase of eight local bands from 4.30pm before local heroes Our Fold return to play a headline set.

Family Garden Party

Sunday, July 25

Admission £1/under-15s free

Smithills Hall will become a hive of family-friendly activity, including a dog show, craft stalls, a brass band, craft activities, magic shows, food stalls and more.

Bird feeders

Moss Bank Park, Bolton

August 8

Free admission

1am to noon

Bring along a couple of plastic pop bottles and a few sticks and make a bird feeder for the coming autumn and winter. Meet at Animal World, Moss Bank Park. Suitable for all ages

Victorian Ghost Stories!

Sunday, August 8

Admission £8 adults/£4 children

Popular local storyteller Simon Entwistle will be enthralling audiences with spooky tales, including those relating to Smithills Hall, which is hosting the event. Light refreshments are provided for this evening event, and booking is strongly advised. To book, ring 01204 33 2377.

Merlin Day

Friday, August 20

Admission £3/children free

Wizardly activities including crafts and a magic show. Free entry for children. Advance booking essential by ringing 01204 33 2377.