THIS year’s festival season is nearly upon us, and towns across the Borders will be saddling up for a summer of celebration.

Many of the introduction nights have already taken place and the representatives of towns in the region have finally been revealed.

In a few short weeks, an array of festivals, civic weeks and ridings will swing into action once again.

The decorations will be dusted down, and an injection of colour will see many towns host a number of events, from parades to ride outs, with fun activities for all ages.

With the smell of leather and the clatter of hooves filling the air,  crowds will line the streets as each community flies its flag and honours its annual traditions.

The summer events will kick off later this month, finishing in August.

Here is a handy guide to what’s in store – if we’ve missed anything, be sure to let us know by emailing kristofer.tatum@newsquest.co.uk

Schedule of events:

Tweedbank Fair Week: May 26-June 2

  • Tweedbank Fancy Dress Parade - May 30 - 7pm
  • Tweedbank Fruit and Flower Parade - June 2 - 12.45pm

Hawick Common Riding: June 7-9

  • Hawick Common Riding Day - June 8 - 8.30am

West Linton Whipman Play: June 1-9

  • West Linton Whipman Fancy Dress Parade - June 1 - 8pm
  • West Linton Whipman Ride Out - June 2 - 10am

Yetholm Festival Week: June 8-16

Biggar Gala Week: June 10-16

  • Biggar Gala Week Riding - June 10
  • Biggar Gala Day - June 16

Selkirk Common Riding: June 11-15

  • Selkirk Common Riding Day - June 15 - 6am

Peebles Beltane Week: June 17-23

  • Peebles Beltane Inaugural Service - June 17 - 6pm
  • Peebles Beltane Installation Ceremony - June 20 - 6.15pm
  • Peebles Beltane Red Letter Day - June 23 - 10am

Melrose Festival Week: June 17-23

  • Melrose Festival Melrosian Ride Out - June 18 - 6pm
  • Melrose Festival Fancy Dress Parade - June 19 - 7.30pm
  • Melrose Festival Crowning of Queen - June 21 - 8pm

Galashiels Braw Lads’ Gathering: June 22-July 1

  • Galashiels Braw Lads Fancy Dress Parade - June 27 - 7.15pm
  • Galashiels Braw Lads Gathering Day - June 30 - 7.30am

Walkerburn Summer Festival: June 24-30

Jedburgh Jethart Callants Festival: June 24-July 15

  • Jedburgh Jethart Callants Festival Day - July 13 - 8am
  • Jedburgh  Jethart Callants Festival Fancy Dress Parade - July 13 - 6pm

Duns Summer Festival: July 1-7

  • Duns Summer Festival - Duns Law and Bruntons Rideout - July 3 - 5.45pm
  • Duns Summer Festival - Carnival Parade - July 7 - 5.30pm

Earlston Civic Week: July 1-7

  • Earlston Civic Week Fancy Dress Parade - July 7 - 1pm
  • Earlston Civic Week Torchlight Parade - July 7 - 10.15pm

Innerleithen St Ronan’s Games Week: July 14-21

  • Innerleithen Fancy Dress Parade - July 19 - 7pm
  • Innerleithen Cleikum Ceremonies - July 20 - 7pm

Kelso Civic Week: July 15-21

  • Kelso Civic Week Colour Bussing - July 18
  • Kelso Civic Week Common Riding (Yetholm Ride) - July 21

Lauder Common Riding: July 29-August 4

  • Lauder Common Riding Fancy Dress Parade - August 1 - 7.30pm
  • Lauder Common Riding Day - August 4 - All day

Coldstream Civic Week: August 6-10

  • Coldstream Civic Week Flodden Day - August 9