What's on worldwide

Benidorm, Spain

28-29 September. The Moors and Christians Festival, in which mock battles between the ancient Iberian rivals are re-enacted. These events take place in many parts of Spain throughout the year, though nowhere can do things the way Benidorm does.

Varazdin, Croatia

24 September - 6 October. An autumn festival of Baroque music will take place in the northernmost Croatian town of Varazdin, tucked up underneath Slovenia and Hungary.

Gothenburg, Sweden

20-28 September. The country that brought Ikea to the world is staging a "Scandinavian fair featuring consumer goods", possibly including put- it-together-yourself wooden furniture. It's on at the Swedish Exhibition Centre, Gothenburg.

Vancouver, Canada (above)

26 September - 12 October. Vancouver Film Festival. This festival is said to showcase the largest selection of Pacific Asian films anywhere outside east Asia, as well as dozens of Canadian and international movies.

Ghent, Belgium

27 September - 11 January. Art treasures from Ghent Abbeys. This exhibition is dedicated to the history of the abbeys of St Pieters and St Bavo, in mediaeval times the most powerful abbeys in the then County of Flanders. Archeological items, manuscripts, textiles and furniture will be on display.

Oban, Scotland

24-28 September. A celebration of Oban's seafood industry, with cookery demonstrations, competitions and food and music nights. Events include oyster shucking and fishing boat races.