Birmingham Weekender 2023

This is a past event and is currently no longer running.

Colourful Birmingham Weekender artwork with different coloured triangles and images of events and audiences from past festivals

Produced by Birmingham Hippodrome in partnership with Bullring & Grand Central

FREE

A male and female acrobat performing on a giant swingset in front of St Martin's Church in the Bullring

A woman with blonde hair taking a photo on her phone in a giant colourful inflatable installation

A group of people dancing to a silent disco in front of a busy road

A woman dressed in a red and green carnival costume

A woman in Rajasthani dress balancing pots on her head in front of a crowd

Two young boys playing a giant game of Tetris

Four dancers performing in poles in front of an audience in the Bullring

The streets and squares of Birmingham city centre burst into life over August bank holiday weekend.

Birmingham Weekender is a fun and FREE annual arts festival open to all.

The weekend included colourful installations and energetic music, dance and theatre performances. Plus, there was a chance to take part in interactive games and experiences including a giant swingset, a family-friendly escape room and an incredible walkthrough inflatable sculpture.

Click here to view the schedule

Click here to view the map

WILD by Motionhouse

Commissioned by Birmingham Hippodrome in 2019, this daring dance-circus production returns having been seen by over 100,000 people across the UK & Europe.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 1.15pm & 4pm (Bullring & Grand Central - Level 0, outside The Entertainer)...

Dance-circus workshops with Motionhouse

Join the amazing professional dancers from Motionhouse for a workshop exploring their renowned dance-circus style. Suitable for complete beginners.

Ages 7-11 years
Sat 26 Aug, 2.45pm

Ages 12-16 years
Sun 27 Aug, 2.30pm

(Bullring & Grand Central - Level 0, outside The Entertainer) PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE - CLICK HERE...

The Swings by All or Nothing Theatre

An aerial dance duet on a magnificent, larger-than-life swing set. After performances, the swings are open for the public to give them a try.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 1pm, 2.15pm, 3.30pm & 5pm (Central Street - outside Wingstop)...

Circus Raj

A tantalising troupe of Rajasthani artists including
aerialists, acrobats, musicians and giant puppets.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12.15pm, 1.30pm, 2.45pm & 4.30pm (St Martin's Square, outside the church)...

Young Advocates Stage

Co-curated by Birmingham
Hippodrome’s Young Advocates (aged 14-22). Hosted by Rakeem Omar
and Kaylee Golding. Highlights include music from Girl Grind UK and dance from Eloquent Dance Company.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12 - 6pm (Rotunda Square)
Click here to view the programme...

Weekender Carnival by ACE Dance and Music

A colourful music and dance extravaganza set to the pulsating rhythms and sounds of the Caribbean.

Sun 27 Aug, 12 noon & 5pm (starting at Rotunda Square), 1.45pm (Hippodrome Square)...

Silent Disco Walking Tours by Guru Dudu

Back by popular demand! Join a tour for an uplifting playlist from the 70s, 80s & 90s, fun commentary and a dash of spontaneous dance moves!

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12 noon, 1pm (RELAXED SESSION), 2.15pm, 3.30pm & 5.15pm (tours start at St Martin's Square, outside the church) PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE - CLICK HERE...

Community Chest by Matthew Harrison

A collaborative escape room experience for all. This puzzling art installation brings together groups of people through creative co-operation and treasure hunting.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12 - 6pm (1000 Trades Square)...

Actual Reality Arcade by Matthew Harrison

A life-sized interactive game zone for all ages inspired by classic retro arcade games.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12 - 6pm (Edgbaston Street)...

The Whale by Talking Birds

Enter the Whale’s mouth on your own or in a small group for a short, witty, theatre performance.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12 - 2.30pm & 3.30 - 6pm (Chaophraya Square)...

The Rig!

Designed by professional musicians and artists, The Rig is a unique musical soundscape and visual landscape aimed at kids from 1-100 years!

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12 - 6pm (Edgbaston Street)...

SPARK by Glue Collective

This installation is a creative space encouraging artistic and playful participation for all ages. It changes in shape, colour and form depending on the contributions of the creators on the day.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12 - 6pm (Edgbaston Street)...

Pop-Up Cinema by Flatpack

Showcasing the very best of children’s world cinema, these short films from the Colour Box archive are
themed around colour, play and joyfulness.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12 - 6pm (Link Street - Between Bullring and Grand Central)...

Serving Sounds by The Working Boys Club

A multi-sensory, playful installation that creates connections through music – a bar that serves bass rather than beer.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm & 5pm (Chaophraya Square)...

Brum's Smallest Disco

Step into the telephone box for party tunes and disco fun!

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12 - 6pm (Level 2 Selfridges)...

Facepainting by Sara's Parlour

Three FREE facepainting stations are set up across the festival site. Be part of the colourful celebrations!

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12 - 6pm (Hippodrome Square, 1000 Trades Square & Chaopraya Square)...

The Lumini by Architects of Air

A sculptural inflatable walk-through of wonder and changing colours. For workshop programme, see below.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12 - 6pm (Hippodrome Square)...

LUMINI PROGRAMME - African Drumming Workshops

Led by ‘Vieux’ Bakayoko, a ‘djembefola’ (djembe player) from West Africa, each workshop introduces the art of playing the djembe drum to a traditional African rhythm.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12 noon & 12.45pm (Hippodrome Square) PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE - CLICK HERE...

LUMINI PROGRAMME - Comedy Club 4 Kids presents Howard Read

Just like a normal comedy club, but kids are allowed in! (aged 6+).

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 3pm (Hippodrome Square) PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE - CLICK HERE...

LUMINI PROGRAMME - Drag Storytime

Aimed at children, the sessions will feature readings of LGBTQ+ inclusive story books from a drag artist.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 2.30pm & 5pm (Hippodrome Square) PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE - CLICK HERE...

LUMINI PROGRAMME - Sensory Sessions

Be immersed in colour - encouraging those of all ages to play, investigate and explore The Lumini. Discover giant building blocks, beanbags and sensory toys.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 1.30pm & 5.30pm (Hippodrome Square) PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE - CLICK HERE...

LUMINI PROGRAMME - Yoga Workshops

A therapeutic introduction to yoga for all the family incorporating floor work and balance.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 3.30pm & 4.15pm (Hippodrome Square) PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE - CLICK HERE...

Flashmob by Marshon Dance

Energetic and dynamic flash performances guaranteed to have everyone moving along. Marshon is a community-based dance company specialising in hip hop, house, poppin', breakin' and krump.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 1.30pm & 3.30pm (New Street Station concourse)...

Mass Choir Performance by Got2Sing

Got2Sing are a community collective who specialise in the fun side of singing - everything from pop hits to golden oldies.

Sat 26 Aug, 12.30pm, 2.30pm & 4.30pm (New Street Station concourse)...

Mass Choir Performance by Black Voices

Black Voices will take you on a journey with their singing in the black oral tradition.

Sun 27 Aug, 2.30pm & 4.30pm (New Street Station concourse)...

Magic by Chris Camm-Barnes

Be prepared for some mesmerising card tricks and sleight of hand that will leave you totally speechless.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, Various times across the festival site...

The Princess and the Peacock by Sonia Sabri Company

Come and meet the curious, regal, playful (and sometimes naughty!) peacock.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 2.30pm (roaming from Hippodrome Square), 4pm & 5pm (roaming from Rotunda Square)...

Rainbow Stilt Walkers by Upper Level

With their bright outfits and sunny personalities, these stilt walkers are guaranteed to make everybody smile.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 2pm & 3pm (roaming from Rotunda Square), 5pm (roaming from Hippodrome Square)...

3D Street Art by Sand In Your Eye

Expect wonderful creations playing with perspective across the city centre.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug, 12 - 6pm (New Street Station, Bullring & Grand Central & The Arcadian)...

Getting to Birmingham Weekender

We want to encourage audiences to use public transport to get to the festival wherever possible. Please see below for details of some offers over the weekend:

National Express West Midlands
Festival audiences can get 25% off a Day Saver ticket using the promo code NXGHG25. Redeem offer

West Midlands Metro
West Midlands Metro network stretches from Birmingham to Wolverhampton and operates through some of the busiest areas in the Midlands. The closest tram stop to Birmingham Hippodrome and Bullring & Grand Central is New Street Grand Central Station.

To travel by tram, download the MyMetro app or visit the West Midlands Metro website to plan your journey and view the timetable. Festival audiences can get 10% off Metro travel by scanning this QR code. QR code

West Midlands Cycle Hire
eBikes are available to hire across the festival site. Head here for more details.

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