Birmingham city centre is getting ready for a spectacular three-day celebration as Birmingham Weekender 2026 returns over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Taking place from Saturday 29 August to Monday 31 August 2026, Birmingham Weekender is a free city-centre festival bringing together music, dance, theatre, outdoor arts, performances, installations and family-friendly entertainment.
With activities taking place across locations including Bullring, Victoria Square and New Street Station, the event offers plenty of opportunities to explore Birmingham while enjoying free entertainment.
What’s happening at Birmingham Weekender?
The 2026 programme features a varied mix of performances and experiences designed to bring the city centre to life.
Music fans can enjoy an open-air disco with DJ takeovers, including performances from Huey Morgan and DJ Emkay. There will also be live music from Young Creatives, alongside a programme of dance and performance featuring organisations including Birmingham Royal Ballet and Talawa Theatre Company.
For families, the festival will feature colourful and unusual characters including Hettie the Highland Cow and Epico the Dragon, adding to the atmosphere as visitors explore the city-centre programme.
Other highlights include CBSO in the City and performances from Propel Dance, alongside a range of outdoor arts and entertainment.
When is Birmingham Weekender 2026?
Birmingham Weekender takes place from:
Saturday 29 August to Monday 31 August 2026
The festival runs throughout the August Bank Holiday weekend, making it an ideal opportunity for families, friends and visitors to enjoy a day out in Birmingham without needing to purchase a festival ticket.
Where is Birmingham Weekender taking place?
The festival will take over a number of locations around Birmingham city centre, including:
- Bullring
- Victoria Square
- New Street Station
- Other city-centre performance and activity spaces
The different performances and activities are spread across the city, so visitors can explore different parts of Birmingham while experiencing the festival.
Is Birmingham Weekender free?
Yes. Birmingham Weekender is free to attend.
This makes it an appealing choice for anyone looking for free things to do in Birmingham during the August Bank Holiday.
Visitors can also combine their trip to the festival with shopping, food and drink or other attractions in Birmingham city centre.
Accessibility
Accessibility is an important part of the Birmingham Weekender programme.
Birmingham Hippodrome says the festival will include accessible viewing areas, access hosts and selected performances with British Sign Language interpretation, audio description and relaxed sessions.
Access hubs and information points will also provide resources including ear defenders, colour therapy glasses and fidget toys, while accessible viewpoints will be available at selected performance areas.
Planning your visit
As Birmingham Weekender takes place across several city-centre locations, visitors are advised to check the official programme before travelling.
Not every performance or activity takes place on every day, so checking the latest programme information will help you plan which events you want to see.
Birmingham New Street is conveniently located close to several festival locations, making the city centre easy to explore on foot or by public transport.
Whether you’re looking for live music, dance, outdoor entertainment, family activities or simply something different to do over the Bank Holiday, Birmingham Weekender 2026 is set to bring free entertainment to the heart of Birmingham from 29–31 August.
