With the arrival of spring, we're almost at the point where we can start thinking seriously about summer festival season. Thankfully though, there are some excellent festivals, films, productions and comedy highlights coming up to give you a taste of the months ahead. To help you plan ahead, we've picked some of our favourite events in April.

Glasgow International
While the numbers for this year's GI are immediately impressive (268 artists, 90 exhibitions, 78 venues), a true test of the festival's quality revolves around the art on display. Thankfully, all the stops have been pulled out to put on an excellent 18-day event with the likes of Ross Birrell, Glasgow Open Dance School (G.O.D.S), iQhiya, Kapwani Kiwanga and Torsten Lauschmann platforming their thought-provoking wares.
Various venues, Glasgow, Fri 20 Apr–Mon 7 May.

Edinburgh International Science Festival
This is the 30th edition of the EISF and this year the big theme is Life, the Universe and Everything. Helping visitors ponder and celebrate the universe in all its wonderment are the Ecoville exhibition, a Deep Time Walk, and a dancing robot called Marty.
Various venues, Edinburgh, until 15 Apr.

Avengers: Infinity War
Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and co get together to tackle their most powerful foe yet in the shape of Thanos who has got his filthy hands on the Infinity Stones to make reality pretty much bend to his will. Boo, hiss etc.
General release from Thu 26 April.

Counterflows
This festival of underground, experimental and international music takes over Glasgow for a long weekend featuring the likes of Usurper, Susie Ibarra, Rhodri Davies and Mhysa.
Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 5–Sun 8 Apr.

Scottish Ballet: Highland Fling
This 'romantic wee ballet' from Matthew Bourne has been dubbed 'La Sylphide for the Trainspotting generation' and with its tendency towards high-octane sex, love and rock 'n' roll, it's hard to disagree with that summation.
Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Wed 4–Sat 7 Apr; Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Tue 10–Sat 14 Apr.

Desiree Burch
This US-born, UK-based actress has seriously upped her comedy game in recent times and brings us the highly acclaimed Unfuckable.
Rose Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 20 & Sat 21 Apr.

120 BPM
Sex and politics are firmly on the agenda in this 90s-set French movie about AIDS awareness activists which gets its points across without ever losing its cinematic brio.
Selected release from Fri 6 Apr.

Westworld
After a compelling and unsettling first season, this sci-fi drama about the revolting robots at a Wild West theme park returns with more moral and ethical dilemmas to untangle.
Sky Atlantic, Mon 23 Apr.

War Horse
The stage version of Michael Morpurgo's World War I-set drama about Albert and his beloved horse has now played to over seven million paying customers worldwide. Jump on and see what the fuss is about.
Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Wed 18 Apr–Sat 12 May.

Spirit Aid Comedy Benefit (Chosen by comedian Daisy Earl)
The show I'm most excited about in April is definitely the Comedy Benefit in aid of Spirit Aid at Òran Mór. Spirit Aid is a humanitarian relief organisation dedicated to alleviating the suffering of children whose lives have been devastated by war, poverty or humanitarian crisis. Based in Glasgow, they were founded in 2001 and currently have operations running in Scotland, Palestine, Afghanistan and Malawi. I really love charity comedy nights, as you get amazing acts at an affordable ticket price whilst helping a great cause: what's not to love? And this night will be no exception: the line-up is incredible! They've already confirmed some of the very best acts in Scottish comedy including Janey Godley, Jojo Sutherland, Mark Nelson, Gary Little, Scott Agnew and Raymond Mearns. So it's bound to be a great night!
Daisy Earl is at The Stand, Edinburgh, Thu 12–Sat 14 Apr, The Stand, Glasgow, Thu 19–Sat 21 Apr; Spirit Aid Comedy Benefit, Òran Mór, Glasgow, Sun 22 Apr.