Birmingham Hippodrome and Bullring have revealed the full line-up for Birmingham Weekender 2025, returning to the city from Saturday 23 August to Monday 25 August.

Produced by Birmingham Hippodrome in partnership with Bullring, this year’s programme includes a vibrant mix of performances and activities in and around Bullring. For exact dates and times check the full programme online, as not all events run daily.

Weekender Carnival kicks off the festival with a colourful dance and music extravaganza by ACE Dance and Music. Celebrations continue across the weekend with Possê, an interactive procession blending percussion, dance, theatre, and song by Sound de Secà.

Dance takes flight on Rotunda Square as Autin Dance Theatre perform Up in the Sky, a breath-taking aerial adventure for all the family. Visitors can celebrate the next generation of local talent with Hippodrome Young Dancers Showcase and experience the power of live opera with Birmingham Opera. In St Martin’s Church, the company will present special evening performances of Woman.Life.Song, a compelling piece of work. Families can also enjoy Artizani‘s Hydropunk, an interactive water-themed installation challenging visitors to consider the environment while having fun.

Edgbaston Street becomes a space of play, reflection, and creativity. Join Tilly Ingram Theatre as she performs The Hide, an intimate birdwatching experience where she shares her passion for wildlife and her own story as a disabled woman with a hidden disability. Toc de Fusta presents L’atelier, a hands on installation filled with curious wooden machines, playful surprises and stories waiting to be discovered. Reconnect with nature at the Weekender Green Hub and explore how small actions can make a big difference to the world around us.

In Chaophraya Square, festival goers can co-create the Brum in Colour Mural, a hand-drawn mural of Birmingham by local illustrator, Layla Sadiq. Younger visitors can also enjoy free face painting.

A diverse and dynamic programme of dance, theatre and movement awaits inside Bullring. Highlights include A Place Between Mass and Echoes by Inviktus Collective, a living, breathing ritual fusing street dance, rollerskating, live DJing and circus, RO-TES–រទេះ by Stopgap Dance Company, an exhilarating performance where Nadenh reimagines his wheelchair in a joyful celebration of community, Go Grandad Go!, by Company DHW, a heartwarming hip-hop theatre story of love across generations and Eshu at the Crossroads by Theatre-Rites and Miguel Altunaga, a magical tale of trickery and choice told through dance, music, and puppetry.

Music and rhythmic celebrations continue with ACE Dance and Music’s Carnival Showcase, where infectious beats and electrifying dance bring the carnival spirit to life, Jham!, a playful Indian dance and music collaboration by Srishti Dance, and Eternal Taal‘s explosive Dhol and Dance performance, combining high-impact drumming and choreography.

Bullring comes alive with fantastical roaming animals including tropical birds from Creature Encounters and otherworldly stilt-walking jellyfish by The Vortexes. Visitors can also see The Museum of Memorable Trees, a miniature museum experience by curator Harry Pizzey, who offers guided tours and curious stories.

New Street Station transforms into a stage and canvas with Mish Weaver’s Waiting Song, a lyrical conversation between two trapeze artists, What Are You Waiting For?, an installation inspired by the Before I Die public art project, inviting visitors to reflect on personal hopes and dreams and Birmingham is Waiting For…, a powerful spoken word performance from Birmingham’s Poet Laureate and Weekender Poet in Residence, Ayan Aden, who will be responding to the public’s voices each day of the festival. Audiences can also experience high-energy Dance Flashmobs from Marshon Dance Company.

Matt Evans, Head of Festivals & Sites at Birmingham Hippodrome, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to bring such a vibrant and dynamic programme to the city for Birmingham Weekender 2025. From high-flying aerial dance and interactive installations to bold new performances and joyful street processions, there’s something for everyone. With different experiences unfolding each day, visitors can discover new surprises and unforgettable moments around every corner.

“Partnering once again with Bullring lets us to transform spaces into extraordinary stages and sets the scene for an unmissable Bank Holiday weekend. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to a festival packed with free, fun events, creative energy, and unforgettable shared experiences.”

Accessibility remains a core commitment of Birmingham Weekender, with British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted and audio described performances, accessible viewing areas and a team of dedicated access hosts working across the festival and at the festival access hubs.

Birmingham Weekender is free to attend and runs from Saturday 23 August – Monday 25 August. For the full programme visit: birminghamweekender.com.

For festival attendees planning their journey, Birmingham Hippodrome is offering a new Travel Assistant service which gives users the best low-emission travel options, tailored routes, and personalised travel updates. To access this service, visit: travel.yousmartthing.com/birmingham_weekender.

Birmingham Weekender is produced by Birmingham Hippodrome in partnership with Bullring. The festival is supported by Arts Council England, Without Walls, Global Streets, Network Rail & United By 2022.