This week's new events

Manchester Food & Drink Festival Celebrating its 15th year, this ever-growing culinary carnival offers up just about every cuisine you can think of, as well as plenty of liquids to wash it down with. Albert Square's street food hub offers up some of the best value and chance to try new tastes, with game, gluten-free galettes and Gujarati snacks all on offer. Celebrity chefs abound, naturally, with John Torode and Fergus Henderson offering masterclasses and feasts alongside the chilli-eating contest and a wild mushroom hunt. A beer festival, Oktoberfest, champagne and whisky tasting events should give the whole thing a happy blur. Various venues, Fri to 8 Oct Iain Aitch Oxonmoot , Oxford If you don't have Frodo or Bilbo Baggins's birthday marked in your diary then chances are you won't know about Oxonmoot, which is held on the weekend nearest to that auspicious date. The event centres on discussion of Tolkien's work and milestones in his life, although his death gets a look in too, with a visit to the writer's grave. The event mostly attracts serious Tolkien researchers, but the general enthusiast is catered for, too, with a masquerade and art show also on the cards. Lady Margaret Hall, Fri to 23 Sep IA The Novel Diner: American Psycho , London The Novel Diner crew go all Patrick Bateman for their latest culturally inspired dining/dancing experience after the last Great Gatsby-fuelled event in July. This time they've managed to do something the unhinged young executive couldn't: actually get a booking at the Dorsia (well, they're recreating it in Shoreditch House). Expect a typically-yuppie, late-80s menu including sea urchin ceviche, pulled pork with lime jello, a Whitney Houston impersonator and a business card design competition. Oh, and there might be (read: will definitely be) blood. Shoreditch House, E1, Tue Lanre Bakare Out & about Egremont Crab Fair , Sat This is no ordinary fair. As well as hound trials and a talent contest, this annual event is also home to the famous world gurning championships. Various venues Retrospective , London, Sat A London Fashion Week party with one foot in the past. Vintage wares from labels like Chanel feature. Bloomsbury Ballroom, WC1 London 2012 Bus Parade , Edinburgh, Sun Join Chris Hoy and other Olympians as they send off the 2012 Games in style. Various venues Future Human: Body Hacking , London, Wed A panel discussion on "body hacking" (medical treatment subcultures) asks whether it can challenge the pharmaceutical giants. The Book Club, EC2 The Three Lochs Festival , Strontian, Thu to 22 Sep Art and literary festival in an idyllic setting. Guests include Iain Banks. The Sunart Centre