Things to do in Birmingham
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Gigglefest Children's Comedy Festival
Saturday 11 February- Saturday 18 February
Now in its fourth year, Birmingham’s very own Comedy Festival for Kids will be hijacking Centre for the Child during half term for a week of comedy carnage. Highlights this year include two brilliant animation workshops, the wonderful Shoofly Theatre and top kids' comedians James Campbell and Tiernan Douieb. Plus face painting, balloon modelling, magic, clowning, open mic, poetry and more. www.birmingham.gov.uk/gigglefest Follow the Gigglefest blog at http://gigglefest.wordpress.com New jokes added every day via the Twitter feed!
MUSEUMS
Highlights include:
Lost in Lace
Until 19 February 2012
Step into a magical world of lace. Featuring large scale, theatrical and visually spectacular work, this exhibition challenges perceptions of what lace can be, involving the visitor in an environment where spaces become fluid and thread creates entirely new boundaries. Many of the international artists are showing in the UK for the first time and artworks will be breaking out beyond the bounds of the Gas Hall gallery, into public spaces and outdoors. Admission free. Telephone 0121 303 1966. Photograph by Lesley Millar: detail of ‘Moucharabieh’ and ‘Jardin de lit, lit de jardin’ by Annie Bascoul. www.bmag.org.uk
Ten Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci
Until 25 March
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is the opening venue for a national tour of ten drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It will be the first time that work by the Renaissance master will go on show in the city. The exhibition has been selected to show the extraordinary scope of Leonardo’s interests: painting and sculpture, engineering, botany, mapmaking, hydraulics and anatomy. It will then tour to five other venues across the UK. Image shows The Head of Leda c1505-6, The Royal Collection, © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, www.bmag.org.uk
Staffordshire Hoard
Until end 2012
A selection of Staffordshire Hoard artefacts are on display in Gallery 12 of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The Hoard is made up of over 1,500 pieces of beautifully crafted gold and silver from the 7th century Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. The exhibition tells the story of the Hoard find and the history of Anglo-Saxon Britain.. For more details, telephone 0121 303 1966. www.bmag.org.uk
Family activities at museums
There are also lots of family activities in the Museum and Art Gallery and some community museums during the school holidays and at weekends during term time. Visit the Birmingham Museum and Galleries website for the full programme www.bmag.org.uk/events
LIBRARIES
Highlights include:
Meet SJ Watson author of The Big City Read book 'Before I Go To Sleep'
Wednesday 29 February
6.30pm (for a 7pm start) at Birmingham Library Theatre. Before I Go to Sleep is the stunning debut novel from British newcomer SJ Watson and was winner of the Galaxy National Book Awards Crime and Thriller of the Year 2011. The book has been chosen for Birmingham's Big City Read which aims to get people all reading and talking about the same book. To book your free tickets, please contact the Reader Development Office on 0121 303 2895 or 0121 464 2690 or email: reader.development@birmingham.gov.uk
SPORTS EVENTS
Birmingham stages a huge selection of local, national and international sports events every single year. These include events where you can watch elite sports men and women perform as well as those where you can take part.
Highlights include:
Aviva Grand Prix
Saturday 18 February
Catch some exhilarating action as the world’s best athletes head to the NIA. Widely regarded as the world’s best indoor athletics event, the Aviva Grand Prix brings together stars from the Aviva GB&NI team with elite athletes from around the globe. Away from the track, there will be a host of fun-filled activities and delicious refreshments available for athletics fans of all ages to enjoy. Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships
6-11 March
The best badminton players in the world return to the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham for the 102nd championships which will also serve towards Olympic qualification for London 2012. Tickets start at £7 for concessions and £13 for adults with discounts also available for certain groups.
To find out more or buy tickets, visit www.allenglandbadminton.com
www.birmingham.gov.uk/sportsevents
OUT & ABOUT
Birmingham's parks have been highly commended in a national award - the LGC Award 2011.
Birmingham Park Ranger service run a year-long programme of events for adults, children and families including nature walks and country crafts.
www.birmingham.gov.uk/rangerevents
Highlights include:
Woodgate Valley Conservation Team Workday
Sunday 5 February and Sunday 4 March
Woodgate Valley Country Park, 11am-3pm. Meets at the Visitors Centre, Clapgate Lane, Bartley Green. Join in with the Woodgate Valley Conservation team and get some fresh air and excercise while you help give something back to nature. The recently formed group meets on the first Sunday of the month to undertake practical conservation work in and around Woodgate Valley Country Park. Sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing should be worn. Light refreshments will be provided by the rangers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, telephone the rangers on 0121 421 7575.
Edgbaston Reservoir Local Nature Reserve Open Day
Saturday 18 February
Edgbaston Reservoir, 11am-3pm. Join the Rangers in celebrating Local Nature Reserve status for the reservoir. Find out more about this fantastic site for wildlife and join in with a range of activities suitable for all the family.
Skywatch
Friday 16 March
Lickey Hills Country Park, 7.30pm-10pm. Come along for an evening hosted by the Birmingham Astronomical Society. Explore the night sky using powerful telescopes (weather permitting). In the visitor centre will be a series of slide shows and a chance to meet with members of the society. The star dome will also be here for indoor star gazing. Refreshments will be available from the café. Tickets for the Planetarium are strictly limited and go on sale at 7.30 pm prompt, no advanced bookings. For more information, telephone the rangers on 0121 447 7106.
Walking Meditation
Sunday 25 March
Highbury Park, 10.30am-12.30pm. Meet at the car park off Shutlock Lane. An introduction to walking as a form of meditation and relaxation. This will be a slow moving activity to help increase personal and environmental awareness. A ‘Walking for England’ event. For more information, telephone the rangers on 0121 464 8729.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Getting to Birmingham city centre couldn't be easier whether you come by car or by public transport.
For local public transport visit: www.networkwestmidlands.co.uk
Visit www.chilternrailways.co.uk for great value fares and train times.
Visit our Parking pages for details of car parks and and other useful transport information.
If you want to extend your visit and need accommodation then go to www.visitbirmingham.com