Birmingham Weekender is back! The team-up between Birmingham Hippodrome and Bullring & Grand Central returns this August Bank Holiday weekend with bags of out-there activities for all ages to enjoy – expect the city centre to burst into life with colourful installations, pop-up performances, interactive games and plenty of unique experiences.
This four-day festival (August 23 – 26) will take place at Bullring & Grand Central, as well as in the Hippodrome’s home area of Southside. Birmingham Weekender 2024 is free to attend, with a full programme of events to be published later this month. But one highlight includes Unity from UK-based Gorilla Circus with a large-scale spectacular in the skies including hair-hanging artists, dance trapeze and high wire walks.
“I know from experience that Weekender provides magical memories that last a lifetime,” said Jon Gilchrist, Artistic Director and Chief Executive at Birmingham Hippodrome. “This year expect jaw-dropping aerial performances, a larger-than-life walk-through inflatable, multicoloured foam – that’s right foam – and pop-up performances across the city.
“We will celebrate the city’s rich culture, shine a spotlight on our own region’s talent and welcome artists from across the UK and further afield and in the process create some ‘goosebumps’ moments for everyone who joins us.”
Elsewhere, head to the Selfie Studio inside Bullring each day and put yourself in the picture with a new commission from Birmingham creatives Pickle Illustration; check out the large-scale, inflatable installation, Luminarium, which will take up residence in Victoria Square; and witness an epic festival finale (Monday, August 26) featuring Island of Foam by Stephanie Luning – which will see multicoloured foam fill St Martins Square creating an island of colour – as well as The CBSO taking over the lower mall in the Bullring with two full orchestral performances.
Danielle Bozward, Bullring & Grand Central said: “Birmingham Weekender promises to be bigger and even better this year taking over more of the Bullring indoors, outdoors and even above Bullring. We are delighted to work in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome to bring what is regular fixture to the city’s calendar to spectacular and colourful life.”
To learn more about Birmingham Weekender head here.