Things to do in Birmingham
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Children's Lives
Until 10 June
Children's Lives is the first major exhibition on childhood to be held in Birmingham and is a fascinating insight into the city's history. Fine art, photography, film, objects, toys, sound archives and documentary sources reveal how the experience of childhood has changed over 300 years of history, from the 18th century to the present day. The exhibition takes place in the Gas Hall at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Admission charges are £4 adults, £3 concessions, £2 children aged 5-16, £10 for a family group and £2 unwaged. Birmingham school groups are free. Self-guided visits from other schools are £2 per head. www.bmag.org.uk
Queen’s Jubilee in Victorian Music Hall Style
Friday 1st June
Don't Go Into The Cellar!” will bring a slice of vintage entertainment to Birmingham with a fun interactive show.
The Theatre Company's upcoming Music Hall/Variety performance 'Ta ra ra BRUM dee ay! which will take place at the Birmingham Library Theatre on Friday 1st June at both 2:30pm and 7:30pm. The event will showcase alive victorian band, song, acting and comedy.
Birmingham’s Big Jubilee Weekend
Saturday 2 to Tuesday 5 June
Celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with a four day extravaganza of music and entertainment incorporating the Lord Mayor's Show, Birmingham Pride and the Young Reader's festival.There will be activities for all ages including vintage parades and nostalgic live music in Birmingham city centre, 50s themed entertainments at the annual Spring Festival in Cannon Hill Park and majestic music with a royal theme by Elgar and Britten at the Symphony Hall. People throughout the city will also be able to mark this special anniversary by holding Jubilee Big Lunches in their communities on Sunday 3 June. Or why not join in a recreation of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the Young Reader’s Book Bash at Aston Hall? The Jubilee Thanksgiving Service from St Paul’s Cathedral and the Jubilee concert from Buckingham Palace will also be shown on the big screen in Victoria Square. www.birmingham.gov.uk/diamond-jubilee
Armed Forces Day
Saturday 30 June
This year’s Armed Forces Day will again be an opportunity for the public to say thank you and recognise the outstanding contribution the Armed Forces community makes to this country. The event starts at 11am with a private ceremony at the Hall of Memory where names of the fallen will be added to the Books of Remembrance and closes with a Beat the Retreat at 6.30pm. www.birmingham.gov.uk/armed-forces-day
MUSEUMS
Highlights include:
Style Africa
Until 2 September
Style Africa explores the rich textile heritage of West Africa using collections from Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the University of Birmingham and Craftspace. In this collaborative exhibition, curators from the museum have joined forces with young people to create new ways of looking at changing traditions in woven, embroidered, printed and dyed clothing and textiles. This free exhibition is at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. 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:
Lunchtime Local History Lectures
Usually the second Tuesday of the month, 1pm-2pm
These free lectures take place in Birmingham Library Theatre and are usually presented by archivists from Birmingham Libraries and Archives or invited guests with a specialism in the subject. The lectures often cover subjects with both a local and national interest. Past topics have included gardening, football, the suffragettes and the Birmingham Pageant. Look out for a history of Harborne through time on 12 June or keep the Wimbledon spirit going with The early history of lawn tennis and its Birmingham connections on 10 July.
www.birmingham.gov.uk/libraries
An Audience with Two Top Psychological Thriller Writers
Thursday 24 May
6.30pm for a 7pm start in the Library Theatre. Who would you kill for love? Following her acclaimed debut, The Poison Tree, Erin Kelly returns with The Sick Rose, a tense and twisted novel of dark secrets and dangerous desires. In The Playdate Louise Millar asks how well you really know the people you leave your children with. A guest list will be in operation for this event. To book a place, please email: reader.development@birmingham.gov.uk Or call 0121 303 2895 or 0121 464 2690. www.birmingham.gov.uk/libraries
Young Readers Festival
Saturday 2 to Friday 15 June
Young Readers Birmingham is an annual festival featuring the best children’s authors, illustrators, storytellers and poets at libraries and other venues around the city. Don't miss the fantastic Book Bash at Aston Hall - two days of great entertainment featuring talks by top authors, magic shows, a film tent, children's book characters such as Elmer and Kipper and the chance to join in with The Mad Hatter's Tea Party! You can also join in the celebrations at one of the Fun Days happening at local libraries around the city during half term. www.birmingham.gov.uk/youngreaders
SPORTS EVENTS
Birmingham 2012
For news and event information about The Olympic Games & the Cultural Olympiad in Birmingham visit Birmingham 2012.
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:
2012 UCI BMX World Championships
24-27 May
The biggest annual prize in BMX racing is coming to Birmingham's National Indoor Arena with the world’s best riders chasing the right to wear the coveted rainbow stripes for the following 12 months. Featuring over 2,000 riders from across the globe, this is the last event in which nations can secure valuable qualification points as they strive to earn their place at the London Olympic Games. Make sure you don’t miss out on four days of exhilarating, adrenaline fuelled action including Olympic GB hopefuls Shanaze Reade and Liam Phillips. Tickets are now on sale. Head to www.bmxworldchamps.co.uk for more information.
Test Match Cricket
Thursday 7 June
International cricket returns to Birmingham when England take on the West Indies in the third Test Match of the Investec Series. The newly redeveloped Edgbaston Stadium is offering ‘kids for quids’ tickets on day one of the Test, whilst groups can save up to 37.5%. England will also play a NatWest Series ODI against Australia on Wednesday 4 July and a NatWest t20 International against South Africa on Wednesday 12 September. For further information or to book tickets, please visit www.edgbaston.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:
Bats At Newhall
Friday 18 May
New Hall Valley Country Park, 9pm-10.30pm. Meeting at the car park off Wylde Green Rd, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1QT. Take a look at these night-time creatures using our bat detectors. Wear warm clothing and bring a torch. Booking essential: book online.
Bartley Green Ramble
Sunday 20 May
Woodgate Ranger Hub, 10.30am-1.30pm. Meet at the Visitor Centre, Clapgate Lane, Bartley Green, B32 3DS Join the rangers for a circular ramble around the Bartley Green area. Take a look at nature's green open spaces such as Bromwich Woods, Bartley Meadows, Senneleys Park and Woodgate Valley Country Park. Booking essential: book online. For more information, contact the Rangers on: 0121 421 7575.
Monthly Ramble - Things on Wings
Wednesday 23 May
Sheldon Country Park, 1pm-3pm. Meet at the Farm, Ragley Drive, Sheldon, B26 3TU. A circumnavigation around Sheldon Country Park through the cow parsley and all the creatures that fly between glade and shade. To reserve a place: book online. For more information, contact the Rangers on: 0121 742 0226.
Wildflowers and Folklore
Monday 28 May
Shire Country Park, 10.30am-1pm. Meet at Sarehole Mill, Cole Bank Road, Hall Green, B13 0BD. Discover the wild flowers on your doorstep, with flower identification and some of the stories associated with them. Help survey this area with the Ranger and friends. Free and fun. To reserve a place: book online. For more information, contact the Rangers on: 0121 464 8729.
Conservation Work Day
Sunday 3 June
Woodgate Valley Country Park, 11am-3pm. Meet at the Visitor Centre, Clapgate Lane, Bartley Green, B32 3DS. First Sunday workday in the valley. Light refreshments provided. To reserve a place: book online. For more information, contact the Rangers on: 0121 421 7575.
Plantsbrook Pond Dip
Monday 4 June and Tuesday 5 June
Plantsbrook LNR, 11am-12 noon or 1pm-2pm. Meet at the car park off Eachelhurst Rd, Erdington, B24 0QL. Join the Rangers on a journey of discovery as we peer into the watery world to discover just what lies beneath. Please wear suitable footwear. To reserve a place: book online. For more information, contact the Rangers on: 0121 355 6370.
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.