This week's new events

Scalloway Fire Festival , Shetland When Shetland does fire, it doesn't do half measures. Up Helly Aa on Lerwick might be better known, but Scalloway's is the first in a season of fire festivals that hark back to blazing Viking celebrations of Nordic glories, and the warmth and frivolity could find no apter place in the UK to light up the wintry nights. A procession of torch-wielding guizers lead a Viking longship through the streets before songs are sung, the boat is burned and costumed revellers perform skits and routines and generally party until dawn. Beats a night by the wood stove any day. Various venues, Scalloway, Fri Katrina Dixon London Ice Sculpting Festival Ice sculpting? In London? Is this anticipatory "snow day" madness? Well, perhaps, but while the weather may not befit the spectacle, the creations will justify any idea of a sculptural spectacular. At this frozen fairground you can marvel at international teams as they compete to carve the most stunning glacial wonders, play in the snow pit (yes, adults too) and warm your cockles with food and drink at the Frost Fayre. Masterclasses in carving a husky should, like everything else, be very popular, since the whole festival is free. Montgomery Square, Canada Square Park and Jubilee Place Shopping Mall, E14, Fri to 14 Jan KD Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival , Peterborough One of those quaintly surreal traditions where nobody knows quite when or why it first came about. In a nutshell, the Bear, is basically doomed, submitting to flames on the last day of the festival. Before then, he'll be larking about in the streets, dancing a merry jig to a variety of folk and cajun sounds. Poetry, street entertainment, traditional dancing, storytelling and more are also on the agenda. For those shedding a tear for the Bear, fret ye not – the passing of one merely gives way to another being formed from the next season's harvest. Such is the circle of – er – straw. Various venues, Fri to 15 Jan Stuart Goodwin Out & about Wassail , Bolney, Sat Bad spirits out, good apple crop in – the crux of an event taking in fire, morris dancing, traditional singing, and lots of cider. Old Mill Farm, West Sussex Stephen Hawking 70th Birthday Symposium , Cambridge, Sun Public tickets are more or less all accounted for at this heavyweight day of physics, but check out the website for a live stream. Lady Mitchell Hall Brian Sewell On Leonardo Da Vinci , Ilminster, Sat The opinionated art critic on the quintessential renaissance man. Hudson Hawk, alas, not likely to figure in discussion. Dillington House Autosport International , Birmingham, Thu to 15 Jan David Coulthard, Jake Humphrey, plus modern and vintage motors. NEC A Cappella Festival , London, Thu to 13 Jan The Swingle Singers curate a fest taking in barbershop harmonies, beatboxing and choral action. Kings Place, N1