Nintendo plans to stave off holiday boredom by staging Pokémon Village Fętes across the UK between July and September. Dates listed below.

Pokémon crazy kids may like to know that their favourite characters will be livening up a town near you this summer. Pokémon video games for Nintendo DS and Wii will be available to trial alongside screenings of the 11th Pokémon movie “Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior”. There will also be face painting, balloon modelling, and Pokémon characters shuffling around to have their photos taken with your children.

However one of the primary reasons for Poké-maniacs to attend is to receive Colossal Regigigas, the rare 486th Pokémon, as a download for Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl or Pokémon Platinum. This gives kids opportunity to encounter Registeel, Regice and Regirock in their games. Meanwhile novice Pokémon players can get coached in all-important trainer skills to help them get the most from their games.

Parents still wondering why on Earth they should volunteer for all this madness could win a Haven Park family holiday to be redeemed during March, April, May or June 2010. Worth a journey? Here’s where and when to find a Pokémon Village Fęte near you:

Sunderland Air Show
25th – 26th July 2009
Seaburn and Roker Seafront

Nottingham River Festival
31st July – 2nd August 2009
Victoria Embankment

Bristol Balloon Fiesta
6th - 9th August 2009
Ashton court

Eastbourne Airshow
13th – 16th August 2009
Eastbourne Sea Front

Weymouth Carnival
18th – 19th August 2009
Runs from Lodmoor to the Pavillio

Liverpool One Shopping Centre
22nd – 24th August 2009
5 Wall Street,
Liverpool, L1 8JQ

Braehead Shopping Centre
28th – 31st August 2009
Kings Inch Road,
Glasgow, G51 4BN

Westfield Shopping Centre
3rd – 7th September 2009
Derby, DE1 2PQ