Lomond & Clyde Springfest

A cherry blossom festival in Scotland? Well, why not!

• What: A little bit of everything to celebrate spring
• When: April 28 to May 4
• Where: Helensburgh, Scotland and nearby
• Admission: Various tickets, mostly free daytime events
• Website

Helensburgh, a pretty seaside town on the Firth of Clyde, roughly opposite Glasgow, enjoys a burst of cherry blossoms toward the end of April. What better excuse for a celebration?

And this one has a little bit of everything, even - in honor of the cherry blossoms - a touch of Japanese culture. There are short guided garden and heritage walks in the town, longer ones out in the countryside. Here's a selection of what else is happening during a week packed with events:

• Free concerts, theatre and performance in the center of town every afternoon
• Art and photographic exhibitions and workshops
• Puppet shows
• Crazy bikes
• Farmers Market
• Food tastings
• Crafts with the Scottish Japanese Residents Association
• Japanese tea ceremonies
• Japanese-style face painting
• Flower arranging and bonsai
• An Artists Work Trail
• Evening concerts and performances.

Guess how many of the 88 Colquhoun Street cherry trees will be in bloom on April 28 and you can win a prize.