Not sure what things to do in Birmingham this weekend? Well, whatever the weather’s like, however, your mood is, we’ll always have you covered here at Secret Birmingham. Be it the best restaurants and gigs to cultural events or bottomless brunches, we’ve got your weekend sorted below.
Things to do for free in Birmingham this weekend
1. Birmingham Heritage Week
Birmingham Heritage Week opens the door to many of the city’s unique buildings and outdoor spaces that you wouldn’t normally visit. Starting this Friday (September 6 to 15), the 10-day festival (now in its tenth year), you can visit anywhere from swimming at the oldest swimming pool in Birmingham to an architectural walkthrough of Station Street and Smallbrook Queensway. From guided tours to family-friendly events, learn more here.
2. Urban Sports FISE Xperience
For the very first time, Wolverhampton will host the major urban sports international tournament, Urban Sports FISE Xperience. (September 13 to 15). The free-to-attend, three-day event – featuring BMX, freestyle scooter, breaking and a host of workshops and activities for all – will take over Old Market Square. This is the first time the event has been held outside of France and is expected to attract up to 15,000 visitors to the area. Plus, it marks the last stop on the series tour for 2024!
Where to eat in Birmingham this weekend
3. Colmore Food Festival
Attracting over 30,000 visitors each year, Colmore Food Festival will offer an affordable selection of mouth-watering taster dishes this weekend (September 13 & 14). The free food festival is back in Victoria Square too. Organisers have also placed a price cap on food and drink to create an “affordable but unforgettable experience.” Just some of the names include the fine dining experience of Adams, the Middle Eastern flavours of Cleopatra’s Kitchen and celebrity hotspot Asha’s. You can see the full line-up here.
Also happening this weekend is the Sutton Coldfield Food Festival (September 14 & 15).
Things to do with kids in Birmingham
4. Museum Collection Centre Open Day
The Museum Collection Centre – Birmingham Museums’ 1.5-hectare store, holding over 80% of the City’s collection all under one roof – opens for a day of family-friendly activities this weekend (September 14). Take part in guided talks, meet the experts, see objects unboxed or wander around at your own leisure. Among thousands of objects, you’ll discover steam engines, sculptures, giant spider crabs, and even a kitchen sink as you explore this artefact-packed warehouse. Tickets can be booked here, and a free vintage bus is travelling to the Museum Collections Centre from Snow Hill.
Shows to see this weekend
Tumble out of bed and stumble to the Alexandra Theatre this weekend (September 10 to 14) to see the Dolly Parton musical, ‘Here You Go Again’. Embarking on its first major UK tour, the show brings together all of Dolly Parton’s biggest hits in one feel-good musical – listen out for iconic songs like Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands in the Stream, I Will Always Love You, Here You Come Again and more! The musical follows in the tradition of Mamma Mia! and We Will Rock You, telling a brand new story of a diehard fan whose imagined version of Dolly Parton gets him through trying times.