From ballet, bulls and Black Sabbath to botanical picnics and pop-ups, Birmingham is bursting into life this summer. This year’s warm-weather agenda offers culture, al fresco vibes and family-friendly fun.
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Strike a Chord
Birmingham-based artist Mason Newman has launched a limited-edition series of three exclusive T-shirt designs, available only at Selfridges Birmingham.
Heavy Metal Meets High Fashion: The concert may have passed, but you can still celebrate the Prince of Darkness at Selfridges Birmingham. Black Sabbath takes centre stage in a part-exhibition, part-immersive retail experience, featuring exclusive merch, and Sabbath-inspired visuals throughout the [store].
Brindley Summertime: The canal side district transforms into a hub of entertainment, with big screens of Wimbledon, the Women’s Euros, The Open, and the British & Irish Lions Tour. There’s also the Brindley Film Festival arrives from July 10th showing open-air movies to light up the square. Brindley Summertime has something for everyone to enjoy! – Brindleyplace, Birmingham
Enjoy summer sounds in Edgbaston Village, on selected dates until 30th August.
Laid-back Sounds In Edgbaston Village: The leafy lanes of Edgbaston are getting a musical makeover with Summer Sounds — a series of relaxed, acoustic performances across the Village. Soak up jazz and soul with a cocktail in hand, or make a day of it with brunch and browsing at local independents. Tune Into Summer Sounds at Edgbaston Village
CBSO in the City Returns: This summer, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is popping up in unexpected places — from canal boats to train stations — bringing free live music to thousands. Catch Star Wars at New Street Station, brass at the Botanical Gardens, strings at Ikon Gallery, and more. No tickets, no fuss — just world-class music, right on your doorstep. CBSO in the City | City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Selfridges Birmingham Summer of Sound | July–August
Selfridges Summer of Sound | July–August: Selfridges Birmingham celebrates music culture this summer with live music, creative workshops, talks, and immersive displays exploring the intersection of sound, fashion, and pop culture — all running throughout July and August. Selfridges Summer of Sound
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Culture, Turned Up
Ozzy Osbourne: Working-Class Hero, on show until 25th September.
Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero at BMAG: Showcasing Birmingham’s own rock legend with a journey from Ozzy’s Aston roots to global stardom. Featuring an array of awards and never-before-seen photography as part of the Summer of Sabbath, the exhibition spills onto the city streets with powerful outdoor installations, including a striking 40-metre mural. Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero | Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery | Birmingham Museums
Giants at BMAG: This exhibition boasts some of the most awe-inspiring creatures to have ever roamed the earth — including the mighty woolly mammoth and a colossal Asian primate, as large as three orangutans. There’s full-size 3D reconstructions, fossilised skeletons and interactive elements for curious minds of all ages. GIANTS | Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery | Birmingham Museums
GIANTS Exhibition, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, 2 Aug – 2 Nov 2025
Home & Horizons Festival, The REP: The Young Rep Festival is back for its third annual celebration, shining a spotlight on emerging talent. Featuring more than 400 performers across 15 shows, it gives a voice to the next generation as they explore connection, community and creativity. Home & Horizons Festival | Birmingham Rep
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Alfresco Escapes & Weekend Wanders
Bulls in the City Trail | 16 July – 14 September 2025
Bulls in the City: This city-wide trail reimagines legendary Birmingham Bullring Bull sculpture, now split into a stampede of new forms, each individually customised by local artists. Playful and utterly Instagrammable, this colourful art trail also raises awareness of Birmingham Hospice. Bulls in the City Art Trail
Birmingham Cocktail Weekend: From July 10th 13th, grab your wristband and sip your way through exclusive signature cocktails and mocktails at more than 40 of the city’s hottest bars. Plus, enjoy special events, food pairings, and hotel discounts, all wrapped up in one unforgettable four-day party. Cheers!
Kick things off at the Jack Daniel’s Honey Hub at Hotel du Vin, and treat yourself to the limited-edition Jack Daniel’s Honeycomb Bun – a sweet collaboration with Medicine Bakery, created just for the occasion. Birmingham Cocktail Weekend – Summer Edition
Birmingham Cocktail Weekend | July 10–13
Jewellery Quarter Festival: Marking its 10th anniversary with a packed programme of live music, food, family fun and cultural discovery. St. Paul’s Square transforms into a music-lovers’ haven on July 26th, while Golden Square plays host to an artisan market filled with indie makers and street food traders. There’s also mini-golf inside the historic School of Jewellery, the catacombs beneath the cemeteries are open for spine-tingling tours, and studios and galleries are throwing open their doors for open days and hands-on art workshops. JQ Festival 2025 – The Jewellery Quarter
JQ Festival 2025: Live music, food & culture in the Jewellery Quarter — 26 July
Birmingham Botanical Gardens: Craving green space and tranquillity? The Birmingham Botanical Gardens has it covered with a calendar of summer events that include garden yoga, BCU Gallery Exhibition 2025: Fashion in Nature, Gardens Theatre’s al fresco Sense and Sensibility, and an artisan Market on August 2nd. While you’re there, don’t miss the brand-new Medicine Bakery now open on site, perfect for pastries in the sunshine. What’s On | Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Birmingham Weekender | August Bank Holiday
Birmingham Weekender: Birmingham’s flagship festival of accessibility, culture, and creativity returns on the August Bank Holiday with live performances and sensory art. Expect an eclectic mix of circus, dance, music, spoken word, storytelling, and immersive experiences — all designed to welcome everyone. Birmingham Weekender 2025
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Curtain Calls
Mary Poppins at the Hippodrome: Everyone’s favourite nanny flies in to the city from July 16th-August 23rd promising magical moments, spectacular staging and singalong classics that will charm the whole family. Mary Poppins – Birmingham Hippodrome
Mary Poppins at the Hippodrome | July 16 – August 23
Black Sabbath The Ballet: Returning in September by popular demand, this Birmingham Royal Ballet production fuses power chords with pirouettes. Energetic, emotional and entirely Birmingham, it’s a landmark moment for the city’s artistic reinvention. From Metal To Movement: Black Sabbath – The Ballet Returns – Style Birmingham
Dinosaurs Live! at The Alexandra: As close as you’ll get to walking with the prehistoric. Created by the Natural History Museum, it brings life-size animatronic dinosaurs to the stage in an immersive and educational way on August 31st – perfect for kids and dino-loving grown-ups. Natural History Museum presents Dinosaurs Live! Tickets | The Alexandra, Birmingham in Birmingham | ATG Tickets
Black Sabbath – The Ballet at Birmingham Hippodrome | 18–27 Sept 2025
Symphony Hall Tours: More than just a backstage pass, these monthly visits kick off on August 7th and reveal the inner workings of one of the world’s most acoustically perfect concert venues. Learn about the history, tech and everything that goes into putting on top class shows – and you may even get a chance to be on stage yourself. Symphony Hall Tours | B:Music
