Middlesbrough has a grand calendar of events, including some regional headliners that draw folk in from as far as America and Australia. We've put together a summary of all the main annual events, so you can avoid missing out on some of the big dos.

All the annual highlights are listed below, but also keep an eye out for Middlesbrough Town Hall's rolling line up. Previous acts include Jimmy Carr, Oasis, The Undertones and Van Morrison.

FEBRUARY

Animex

Animex is a big fancy festival run by the University of Teesside. It's possibly one of the most exciting university events in the country - where else can you hang out with famous animators like the producers of the Simpsons and Bob the Builder? Includes screenings, talks, exhibitions and discussion forums.

JUNE

Middlesbrough Music Live

Middlesbrough Music Live is widely regarded as one of the most innovative pop and rock music events in the North. The event gets everybody rocking across Middlesbrough, with non-stop live, electric sing-song in the town centre, parks, pubs and clubs. Acts in the past have included Keane, the Ordinary Boys, the Darkness, Razorlight, and Kasabian.

JULY

Middlesbrough Mela

Middlesbrough's answer to the Notting Hill Carnival, Middlesbrough Mela is a full day eclectic festival of Asian cookery, music, dance, sport and entertainment.

The Mela's not just for the Asian community; it's designed to appeal to anyone who likes a big community knees up.

Clubs and governing bodies attend the event in Albert Park to encourage greater participation in Sport and Physical Activity too.

Party in the Park

Every year Ormesby Hall invite everyone to picnic in the moonlight and jive to the sounds of 70s music in a big open air event. Set in the Hall's glorious grounds, come along and re-enact disco's finest moments. Dress code is strictly sequins and afros.

Cleveland Show

The Cleveland Show is an annual agricultural extravaganza set in Middlesbrough's Stewart Park. The show is the largest event of the year and attracts a strong 10 000 plus crowd.

The programme includes craft stalls, displays and all sorts of competitions - there are classes for plants, animals, vegetables and vintage machinery.

OCTOBER

Captain Cook Celebrations

Each year Middlesbrough celebrates the birth of the town's famous explorer with a series of events. Don't miss out on all sorts of re-enactments, exhibitions and historic ceremonies.

Boro Buzz

Boro Buzz is one week jam packed with cures for autumn boredom: from powerboating to pop, fitness to filmmaking, dance to DJ-ing. There's It's A Knock-out, basketball tournaments, fun days, gymnastics, football and quizes.

DECEMBER

Christmas Celebrations

Highlights include celebrity lights switch ons, a continental market, santa, skating rink, reindeer parades and late night shopping, of course.

Middlesbrough's Reindeer Parade takes place in the Town centre. Watch out for penguins, polar bears, Siberian Tigers and seals!