Summer is well and truly upon us here in Brum. The sun is shining over the Bull Ring, the city centre is beaming with energy and we’re so excited to see so many amazing events taking place over the next few months. From big staple sporting events such as the Commonwealth games to the more culinary side of things shining through with the Big Birmingham Bake, amongst many others, there is so much to sink your teeth into here in the second city, here are some of our top picks for Summer.
A brand new, award-winning pop-up has arrived in Birmingham giving you the chance to face off against your friends, family and loved ones in a head-to-head baking competition. Entrants have 90 minutes on the clock to wow the judges using the provided ingredients and utensils, all you need is a competitive edge! The Big Birmingham Bake is available throughout the Summer on various dates and makes for a great day out for everyone.
6th July – onwards, tickets available from £36 – £45.50 – https://www.thebigbirminghambake.com/
We Will Rock You
The worldwide smash hit musical by Queen and Ben Elton returns to the UK. The multi-million-pound show dazzles all the senses in breath-taking style. Guaranteed to blow your mind, this musical phenomenon is not to be missed. You can catch the spectacle performance at Birmingham’s Hippodrome from now through till 30th July.
4th July – onwards, ticket prices vary – https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/
Commonwealth Games 2022
It may come as no surprise to anyone now, but if you didn’t already know the Commonwealth Games are coming to Birmingham this year! Proceedings kick off on Thursday 28th July and the games finish up on Monday 8th August. As well as obviously bringing a lot of attention to our wonderful city, the games offer us an exciting chance to immerse ourselves in one of the multi-sporting events in the UK.
Whether it’s the triathlon, diving, cricket or gymnastics there are so many impressive feats of athleticism on show that truly are a spectacle.
28th July – 8th August. You can witness the Commonwealth games and all their festivities by booking here – https://www.birmingham2022.com/
Sutton Food Fest
After a successful launch last weekend, The Townhouse is back with another Sutton Food Fest.
Based in the heart of Sutton Coldfield, The Townhouse offers a brilliant lineup of street food traders, with highly entertaining DJs and drinks available throughout the day.
New trader lineup coming soon… July’s food fest saw the likes of Cofton Pizza, Meat Meets Bun, Project Doughnut and South Birmingham Curry Club, to name a few, feeding great food to the masses.
5th – 6th August. Book your free ticket here – https://bit.ly/suttonfoodfest
13 Weeks of Summer at The Old Crown
The Old Crown have recently announced their Summer programme of events which will be running from now until the end of September. One of their BIG events, The Dark Destroyer Quiz on the 14th July, sees The Chase star Shaun Wallace quizzing the lovely people of Birmingham. Other fun things they have coming up include a Cow Vintage Takeover, The Old Crown’s 654th Birthday party with a high wire performance as well as countless DJs and live acts crossing the threshold throughout the summer to entertain you all.
To find out more, visit – https://www.facebook.com/theoldcrown1368/
In Other Words – with Mixed Rage Collective
Experience the group exhibition from Mixed Rage Collective which showcases the artists telling of their experiences of being mixed heritage. This exhibition considers the effect of ‘othering’, lack of representation, daily microaggressions and displacement felt by people of mixed heritage, interweaving the highly political and colonial backdrop into which they were born, as well as celebrating their mixed cultures and heritage.
The Mixed Rage Collective are made up of Sherrie Edgar, Sevonah Golabi, Sina Leasuasu, Niall Singh, Jane Thakoordin. In Other Words is available to view for a limited time at the Midlands Arts Centre on Cannon Hill Park.
15th April – 14th August. Free entry.
Pairc Festival
Páirc Festival is all set to bring the biggest names and best talent from Birmingham and Ireland to the outdoor grounds of the former Stadium Club, the New Irish Centre in Kings Heath. Imelda May joins Páirc Festival hot off her Made To Love tour, alongside fellow Irish legends Hothouse Flowers, Beoga who co-wrote Ed Sheeran’s hit Galway Girl, Damien Dempsey and Hermitage Green taking to the stage, and The Father Teds and Lampa heading up Birmingham’s offering to the bill.
As well as one of Birmingham’s biggest musical exports and Britpop legends Ocean Colour Scene, who headline the Friday launch event. Joined by Birmingham’s hotly tipped for success four-piece indie band The Clause. Sunday will round off celebrations with Finbar Furey and Nathan Carter headlining, joined by Irish icons The Sharon Shannon Trio, The Dublin Legends and The Kilkennys, alongside homegrown talent and Birmingham Irish bands On The Sesh and Bang On The Ear.
Attendees can also enjoy Páirc’s street food village, Irish Dance School, market stalls celebrating local makers and traditional Irish produce, plus outdoor bars and beer tents!
26th-28th August 2022, Adult Weekend Tickets from £67 – https://paircfestival.com/
Owlstock
The Night Owl’s highly acclaimed, Woodstock-inspired festival is back and bigger than ever. Since its blossom in Birmingham back in 2019 the festival has grown to be ever-so popular. This year the festival is also coming to their new Finsbury Park venue as well as streaming worldwide on The Night Owl TV.
The lineup boasts a wealth of tribute and local acts that emulate the spirit of the 1969 festival. Enjoy the music of Hendrix with Are You Experienced?, some psych and soul with The Trip Westerns and the Electric Mud tribute sounds from The Daybreakers, plus many more!
Also available on the day are themed cocktails, themed street food, and more…
Sunday 28th August, Book your tickets here – http://bit.ly/Owlstock2022
Shrewley Food Fest
After a fantastic launch event on Jubilee weekend, The Durham Ox in Shrewley returns with a new lineup of street food traders who will be setting up in their acres of Warwickshire garden space. Moo Hatch will be satisfying all your burger needs, Chatty Patty will be serving up wings, strips and more, Le Petit Bois – Seafood Shack will head over from Moseley, Caucasus Grill will be providing authentic kebabs and grill and Cookie Crush are on site to bring something sweet to the mix.
Monday 29th August, free tickets available from – https://bit.ly/shrewleyfoodfestaug
Moseley Folk
Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2021, Moseley Folk and Arts Festival is one of the best-loved and most anticipated music and arts festivals in the region, attracting an enthusiastic and loyal audience of music fans and families to the picturesque suburban oasis of Moseley Pool and Park, Birmingham.
Running from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 September 2022 at Moseley Park and Pool, the annual event will see appearances from Jethro Tull, Dr. John Cooper Clarke, The Coral, Midlake, poet Simon Armitage, and Vashti Bunyan.
2nd – 4th September, Adult Weekend Tickets from £145 – https://www.moseleyfolk.co.uk/tickets/
Of course, the wonderful thing about Birmingham is that this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many spectacular events that we are looking forward to seeing here, there just isn’t enough time in the world to cover them all. Help support locals this year and check out some of the fantastic things taking place over the Summer.