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. Hear your favourite songs under the gentle glow of candlelight
There’s nothing else like a Candlelight Concert. Unwind this June to your favourite tunes in Birmingham’s most unique venues – all performed by an incredible stringed quartet, under the gentle glow of candlelit. And whether you’re a fan of Ed Sheeran and Coldplay or Hans Zimmer, James Bond or Disney, there’s a concert for everyone this June. To see all candlelight concerts in Birmingham head 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. Visit the gardening and cookery combo event
Green thumbed? A dab hand in the kitchen? BBC Gardeners’ World Live and the Good Food Show Summer arrive at the NEC in Birmingham in June. The two-for-one event offers four days (June 13 – 16) of gardening displays and cookery demonstrations. From inspirational, expert advice from renowned gardening gurus and Michelin-trained chefs to shopping all the latest food trends and garden must-haves, there’s no end to the excitement.
But this year’s highly anticipated headline attraction has to be ‘The Chef’s Table’. Hosted by Gardeners’ World presenter Adam Frost, the walk-through garden is overflowing with edible plants and produce, with top chefs like James Martin, Michel Roux and Cassie Best stopping by to show off their skills. To learn more head here.
5. Celebrate Birmingham’s creative quarter with a free open day
Head down to Digbeth on June 22 to find studios, shops and businesses showcasing what makes the area so special. The free, family-friendly event in and around Gibb Street offers everything from a makers market in Digbeth Arts Space to live music from Back of the Bar, plus open art studios, street food and bar pop-ups, vintage fashion stalls, kids’ activities and more.
Check out some of the best bars, restaurants and clubs in Birmingham afterwards – including Norton’s, Doctor Oculus, Autobrew, The Rainbow and The Ruin – and use your Digbeth Open Day wristband for some great discounts.
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 England kick off at the Euros
You might have heard that if England reaches the semi-finals of Euro 2024 the pubs will stay open until 1am. So everyone’s got to get behind the Three Lions this June to make sure we get there – with games against Serbia (June 16), Denmark (June 20) and Slovenia (June 25). But where are you going to watch them?
We’ve got two new options: Firstly, there’s Birmingham’s new ‘interactive football and dining experience’. Toca Social opens at the Bullring on June 3 – combining immersive footballing games with food, drink and giant TV screens. Secondly, The Indian Brewery has opened a new taproom near St Paul’s Square with a big screen for live sports!
8. See the views over Birmingham
We all know and love the Big Wheel and Christmas, but the Cathedral Square Wheel will be making a special appearance in Pigeon Park this summer. Until September 1, head to the historic grounds of Birmingham Cathedral and ascend to breathtaking heights. You’ll also be able to listen to commentary by local historian, Carl Chinn. He’ll provide insight into Birmingham’s vibrant history as you climb 35 metres high.
9. Get down and dirty with a seafood boil
Ever wanted to tuck into a barbeque for seafood? Well, now you can as this Viet-Cajun speciality makes its way to Birmingham. Seafood City is the new Louisiana-inspired ‘seafood boil’ spot from Vietnamese Street Kitchen. Opening in early June, this family-style, cook-out will let you pick your choice of seafood – lobsters, crab, shrimps, oysters, mussels, clams and crawfish – and pair it with a signature garlic butter or hot sauce. Plus, tuck into everything from lobster rolls to crab and prawn burgers, with a side of seasoned fries of course.
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 Birmingham’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. But somewhere that’s good value too doesn’t hurt. The Plough in Harborne was recently named the second-best value beer garden in the UK – which we wouldn’t describe as a ‘cheap and cheerful boozer’, but offers a balance of quality and good value.
11. Show your pride!
The annual parade and aprty 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. From dumplings to drag, coffee to comedy, it’s never a drab moment in Birmingham’s Gay Village! You can also get reading from our list of the most enlightening books to read during Pride Month, which you may be able to buy when you…
12. Visit the biggest bookshop in Birmingham
It was a sad day when Bookshop on the Green closed. Thankfully, its spiritual successor opens in Edgbaston this June. Green Heart Books will become the largest independent bookshop in Birmingham once it does. It’s aiming to be open before Independent Bookshop Week (June 15) and, on top of offering a wider collection of books, will host a variety of events and workshops. It will also launch a new arts and cultural festival in Edgbaston Village in the future.
13. Eat at the weirdest restaurant in Brum
It’s called Albatross Death Cult and that’s the least weird detail. Alex Claridge is no stranger to strange – The Wilderness is well-known as Birmingham’s boundary-pushing fine dining restaurant soundtracked by heavy metal and punk – but this is a bold new direction. Being described as an omakase-style restaurant, it will only seat up to 14 guests, serving roughly 12 courses, “in the kitchen, seated at a monolithic counter gathered around the pass.”
There’ll only be one sitting per service, with all dishes served by the chefs, and a focus mostly on seafood and coastal ingredients. It’s been described as a “raw, unedited, and decidedly stripped-back sibling” compared to The Wilderness, offering a mix of experimental luxury. Albatross Death Cult will also be as accessible as possible – though we won’t say cheap – with the launch menu costing £88.
14. Check out these colourful confetti flower fields only open for 10 days
Have you ever wondered where they grow all that biodegradable flower confetti you find at weddings? Head to the village of Wick in Worcestershire, where you’ll find visit acres and acres of flourishing flowers – mostly delphiniums – before they’re harvested. The Wyke Manor Estate reopens its Confetti Flower Field to the public at the end of the month – and you’ll only have 10 days to visit (June 28 – July 7). Don’t walk through or pick the flowers, please, but enjoy the tranquillity of the psychedelic fields.
15. Party at the UK’s second largest street carnival
Second only to London’s Notting Hill in scale, Harborne Carnival is expecting crowds of up to 70,000 people at this year’s free-to-attend family fun day out. Taking over Harborne High Street, expect live music, arts and crafts, children’s activities, fairground rides, and community and charity stalls on Sunday, June 23. Celebrating its 27th year, a big focus has been placed on ‘health and wellbeing’ in 2024.