This week's new events

Vaisakhi Mela , Birmingham Hosting the largest Vaisakhi event outside India, Birmingham celebrates Sikh New Year in big style. Some 100,000 people will enjoy the two-decade-old carnival's parades and patashas (Punjabi sweets) as two vibrant processions bring song, spirituality and saffron robes to Brum's streets, culminating in an all-day mela at Handsworth Park. Family-friendly and alcohol-free, it's good vibes and gurdwaras all round. Handsworth Park, Sun Colette Bernhardt Whitby Goth Weekend Goths and the seaside might sound like strange bedfellows, but since 1994 those immersed in gothic culture have moped to this coastal North Yorkshire town in their thousands. And with Whitby a key part of Bram Stoker's Dracula you can see why. This spring there's a gothic dog walk, a "Goth Express" steam train ride, plus a gothic pool tournament (first prize: Jaffa Cakes), not to mention a return for the goths v local paper hacks football match. Bands include the Spiritual Bat, Ugly Buggs, plus Gene Loves Jezebel featuring original member Jay "no, not the Bucks Fizz one" Aston. Don't get excited by the picture, however: St Mary's Church cemetery is off limits due to persistent lounging on graves. Various venues, Thu to 30 Apr Stuart Goodwin St George's Day Festival , near Luton Forget the far right's misappropriations – St George's Day is a chance to celebrate English history, sport a red rose, and see off fire-breathing reptilians. The 90-acre Wrest Park hosts a huge jolly, offering rowdy re-enactments, hands-on activities and traditional grub aplenty. Medieval jousters duel to the death while Victorian dames jump side-saddle over tables of startled banqueters. Grown-ups can mingle with minstrels and fools, sip goblets of mead or test out a bed of nails, while banishing their charges to a dragon puppet-theatre – or even a mini-knights' mock battle. Wrest Park, Silsoe, Sat & Sun CB Out & about Tartan Day & Highland Games , Giffnock, Sat Caber tossing (yes!) and other trad Highland sports are the main attraction, plus arts, crafts, pipes, drums and dancing. Rouken Glen Park The Great British Tattoo Show , London, Sat & Sun Body art practitioners show off their buzzy penmanship, plus street art, burlesque and more. Olympia, W14 Literary Festival , Stratford-upon-Avon, Sun to 7 May Jeremy Paxman, Andrew Motion, Carol Ann Duffy, Iain Banks and PD James are among the guests. Various venues World Book Night , Nationwide Brilliantly simple idea: pick up a stack of books and give them away to those who don't have a copy. Redress: 20 Years Of Ending Torture & Seeking Justice For Survivors , London, Tue Human-rights champions celebrate two decades with authors Roma Tearne and Haifa Zangana. The Tabernacle, W11