This summer, we’re all raring to go and luckily there are plenty of fantastic things on the horizon this June to start the season with a bang. Fancy getting your calendar jam-packed again? From candlelight concerts to tasty food and drink offerings, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to getting your dose of good grub and culture. Check out our guide to some of the best things to do this June in Birmingham.
1. Soak up the sights of the city from The Library of Birmingham’s secret garden
It still surprises us that so few people know about The Library of Birmingham’s secret garden. Climb to the seventh level to witness unbeatable views of the city. Ideal in this gorgeous weather we’re having and a fantastic way to rekindle your love for the city. It’s not all about the sights either. As beautiful greenery, the surrounding modern architecture and winding pathways make it an escape from the hustle and bustle below. Just borrow a book from the library and settle down in the sunshine! (The secret garden is surprisingly quiet and peaceful.)
2. Hearthe sultry sounds of Lana Del Rey by candlelight at Birmingham Cathedral
Beat that Summertime Sadness with a Candlelight Concert. In one of Birmingham’s most unique venues, music fans can experience the sultry sounds of Lana Del Rey this June 15. Performed by an incredible stringed quartet, all the while immersed in a stunning, candlelit environment at Birmingham Cathedral. From Video Games to Born to Die, this unmissable performance will be The Greatest! Get tickets here.
3. Escape the city with a trip to the seaside
Birmingham has a lot to offer in June, but the one thing it doesn’t have is beaches. Summer is upon us and we all need some seaside sights, smells and sounds in our life. Luckily there are some cracking coastal towns near Birmingham that you must visit this summer. From Weston-super-Mare in the South West to Rhyl in North Wales start packing the car for a day trip this June.
4. Get your game on at the largest tabletop convention in the UK
The UK Games Expo, the largest hobby games convention in the UK, arrives at the NEC on June 2 to 4. All aspects of the tabletop gaming hobby are represented under one roof, consisting of two trade halls; hundreds of exhibitors, demonstrating, and selling tabletop games; plus tournaments, seminars and workshops and live entertainment shows. Other features include one of the world’s largest bring-and-buy market for second-hand games, a massive open gaming area and board game library and a shop-and-drop. To learn more head here.
5. Tuck into Indian street food and craft beer at Bundobust’s new Birmingham branch
Highly acclaimed Indian street food and craft beer specialists, Bundobust, hope to become a Birmingham favourite when they open a new location at Bennetts Hill on June 2. Well-known for modern takes on Indian street food favourites, like Okra Fries, dusted in black salt and mango powder; Gobi Manchurian, vegetable pakoras tossed in umami-hot sauce; as well as creative takes on classics including Vada Pav, Rajma, Tarka Dhal, Pav Bhaji, Chaat and more. Plus you’ll also be able to sample Bundobust’s own brews of craft beers from their Manchester brewery. On the opening day, Bundobust will also offer the first 500 guests a chance of winning a year’s worth of food and drink… To learn more head here.
6. Tuck into tea at these quirky houses carved out of rock
If you thought people stopped living in caves millennia ago, you might be surprised to learn about Kinver Edge. Home to a series of houses carved out of red sandstone, people lived here as recently as the 1950s. Today these restored houses serve as a unique tourist attraction near Birmingham.
Tuck into everything from sandwiches to soup, cakes to coffee, at the unique rock-cut café. While The Book Nook must be the only cave-dwelling, secondhand bookshop in the world! The Rock House walking trail is the best way to take in all the surroundings, however. It takes you through a heathland abuzz with wildlife, children’s play areas, two explorable areas of rock houses and atop the iron age hill fort.
7. Watch the FA Cup final at Birmingham’s new game-changing sports bar
You don’t even need to mention the fierce rivalry between Aston Villa and Birmingham City to know that Birmingham is utterly sports-mad. Just in time for another of football’s great rivalries, a new “game-changing” sports bar will open this June in time for the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City.
BOX will open in Brindleyplace on June 3, offering not only the opportunity to watch games but play some as well. Spread over two floors and holding up to 575 guests, with 32 top-of-the-range TV screens to catch all the biggest sports events live, BOX will show all the adrenaline-fuelled action. Plus, it will also double as an activity bar, with two 18-foot maple wood European Shuffleboard tables.
8. Try your luck at getting a full house and winning prizes at Bongo’s Bingo
The award-winning Bongo’s Bingo is returning to The Forum in Birmingham. Shows will take place on June 3, 10, 17 and June 24. Bongo’s Bingo combines the much-loved quaint pastime of bingo with a wild live show, crazy antics and weird and wonderful prizes which have created the most talked-about night out in the country. Brace for a night full of madness, mischief and shared euphoria, with hits from across the ages all night long – imagine N Trance’s Set You Free filtered via S Club and Gerry Cinnamon, to renditions of Total Eclipse of the Heart. To learn more head here.
9. Catch a cocktail at the UK’s best ‘New Bar Of The Year’
We can’t stop talking about Passing Fancies. But we’re not the only ones in awe as it keeps picking up awards left, right and centre. Back in February, it featured on the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list and now in May scooped two majors gongs at the CLASS Bar Awards 2023. Not only was it voted the ‘Best Bar in the Midlands & East Anglia’, but also the best ‘New Bar of the Year’. Quite the achievement having launched only launched last autumn.
10. Head to one of these brilliant beer gardens in Birmingham to enjoy the sunshine
If summer isn’t about enjoying the sunshine then we don’t know what it’s about. So head to one of Birmignham’s beer gardens, order a refreshing drink and unwind in the company of friends. There’s no better way to enjoy June than with time spent in a pub garden. What we’re looking for is lots of space to sit everyone, pretty surroundings that glisten in the sun and a great pub attached serving a good range of beverages. So check out our guide to the very best pub beer gardens in Birmingham.
11. Show your pride!
The annual parade may have slipped in at the end of May, but Pride month still takes place in June and there are plenty of ways to support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Talks, parties, brunches, and poetry nights are just some of the Pride festivities running during June, celebrating all things LGBTQ+. As anyone who’s been to a Pride event will freely tell you, they’re literally too fun to be missed!
12. Get creative at Grayson’s Art Club
There are some brilliant art exhibitions happening this June in Birmingham. But the one you cannot afford to miss is Grayson’s Art Club, which ends June 25 at the Midlands Arts Centre. This major exhibition, by much-loved British artist Grayson Perry, is a spin-off of the very popular TV show of the same name.
The artworks have been chosen by Grayson Perry, Philippa Perry, and guest celebrities throughout season three of the show. The programme aims to bring “the nation together through art and encourages people to celebrate their collective creativity.” Expect a wide variety of mediums, such as photography, painting, textiles and sculpture. While contributing celebrities include Birmingham’s very own Joe Lycett, plus Bill Bailey, Jo Brand, Joe Wilkinson, Mawaan Rizwan, Katy Wix and Dame Prue Leith. Learn more here.