This week's new events

Pigbaby: The Brighton Poetry Festival Like the shape-shifting infant it's named after, this eclectic verse fest refuses to be pinned to a particular poetry genre. Immerse your ears – be they piggy or human – from the noir to the neo-Romantic, with readings from well-established wordsmiths Iain Sinclair and Mimi Khalvati, as well as burgeoning bards like Clare Best, whose collection Breastless charts her experience of mastectomy, and Philip Pollecoff, a lawyer whose lyrics span Ovaltine, acid and alimony. With all events held in small venues at low prices – or for no charge – there's a strong emphasis on inclusivity, allowing everyone to discover some Lewis Carroll-inspired "wonders wild and new". Upstairs at Three And Ten and the Red Roaster Coffee House, Tue to 26 Nov Colette Bernhardt Whisky Festival , Glasgow This celebration of the Glasgow area's finest distilleries may not do much to lessen stereotypes about Scotland's second city and its residents being awash with booze, but those who care to attend should find something more akin to a wine tasting than a free-for-all at the bar. Dedicated to local independent distillers and bottlers, the festival also focuses on bottles from the rest of Scotland and beyond, and seeks to please and surprise serious enthusiasts and tentative tipplers alike. Plain-speaking YouTube whisky-reviewing sensation Ralfy will be on hand to gee up proceedings and offer his advice on which bottles to pay particular attention to. The Arches, Sat Iain Aitch Sacred , London Chelsea Theatre's Sacred festival looks like a beacon of vibrant live art and performance. Its packed programme ranges from musings on mourning and memory and a subversive installation exploring pain and medicine to a homage to Brazil that includes a Tropicália pop satire by Thelma Bonavita using wigs, balloons and fruit. That show in particular might only be topped by the theatricality of Othon & Tomasini, whose mash-up of 50s pop, baroque balladry and avant sounds comes complete with a guest appearance by Marc Almond. Chelsea Theatre, SW10 Katrina Dixon Out & about Science Fair , Otley, Sat Small but vibrant spree of experimentation – make ice cream with liquid nitrogen, tackle a robot maze – plus cake. Otley Courthouse Arts Centre Lumiere , Durham, Sat & Sun Artichoke's light festival includes neon works by artists including Martin Creed, a huge lit-up waterfall, plus talks. Various venues Outburst Queer Arts Festival , Belfast, Sat & Sun Provocative theatre, film, art, retro-themed music and poker and love poetry. Various venues Made , Brighton, Sat & Sun More than 100 contemporary design-makers show off their jewellery, ceramics, textiles, furniture and alternative crafts. Corn Exchange 'Free From' Food Festival , London, Fri to 27 Nov Talks, demonstrations and festive treats, revealing a world without gluten, wheat, dairy, sugar and/or egg products in your diet. South Bank riverside, SE1